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  5. Schengen Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance Coverage for the Schengen Area

US Residents Can Protect Their Trips to the 29 Countries in the Schengen Area

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At a glance

  • All World Nomads travel protection plans may cover trips to the Schengen countries, with some plans that offer higher coverage maximums
  • You may be covered for more than 250+ activities
  • Benefits may include trip cancellation, sickness and medical expenses, baggage delay and more
  • An optional ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ upgrade may be available for the Explorer and Epic plans offered by World Nomads. (Not available for New York residents.)

Why should you consider a travel protection plan for the Schengen area?

The Schengen Agreement makes it easier for travelers to visit multiple countries, and every day over 3.5 million people are crossing internal borders in these 29 countries. The treaty essentially means that when you cross the border into one of these countries, you’re in them all (that is, you're free to travel between these countries with no border controls and no passport checks).

There are so many adventures you can have in the Schengen area. But what happens if you get hurt skiing in Switzerland and need to get medical care, or if your bags get lost on the way to France? A travel protection plan that includes travel insurance benefits and non-insurance services for your trip to the Schengen area may help with some of these unexpected expenses.

Exclusions

  • Travel to countries that you don’t list when you purchase your plan
  • Activities not listed as covered in your plan
  • Any medical bills related to a pre-existing condition, unless you purchased the Epic or Explorer plan during the time-sensitive period and qualified for the pre-existing condition exclusion waiver. Additional terms apply.
  • Unattended baggage or personal items
  • Injuries that happen while under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Will you need a Schengen visa?

Whether you need a Schengen visa or not depends on your nationality.

If you are a US citizen with a US passport traveling to Schengen* countries for business or tourism, you will not need a visa as long as your stay does not exceed 90 days within a six-month period.

But keep these conditions in mind:

  • your passport must be valid for at least six months at the time of your entry. Your airline may not let you board otherwise and/or you could be denied entry upon arrival in the Schengen Area .
  • if you spend three months in the Schengen area during any six-month period, you must wait another three months from the last date of departure from the Schengen area before you can enter again without a visa.
  • it's still highly recommended to keep your passport on you when you travel to a new country within the Schengen Area. While unlikely, officials could reinstate border controls without notice.

If you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than three months, contact the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time to apply for a visa.

In all cases, make sure you get your passport stamped when you enter your first Schengen country, especially if you’re departing from a different one, because they’ll have no record of how you got in, or when, and you’ll have all sorts of questions to answer about being an illegal arrival.

What is ETIAS?

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System)* will start operations at the end of 2026. This will affect visa-exempt travelers (including those from the US) that are going to enter 30 European countries. Travelers will be asked to apply via the official ETIAS website* or mobile app. Unlike a traditional visa, ETIAS is linked electronically to your travel document, such as a passport, and is valid for three years or until the travel document expires, whichever comes first.

However, it does not guarantee entry. Border authorities will still verify that you meet entry conditions on arrival. Each applicant will undergo a detailed security check.

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FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for the Schengen area. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.

  • What is the Schengen Agreement?
    The Schengen Agreement is a treaty that has been signed by 29 countries. Once you’ve crossed the border into one of them, you’re free to travel between the Schengen countries with no border controls and no passport checks. These 29 countries have agreed on a common visa application form for visitors from outside the area. If your travels are taking you to Europe you might need to apply for this ‘Schengen visa'. We say 'might' because not everyone needs one...it all depends on where you're from and what countries you'll be visiting in Europe.
  • Do US residents need a Schengen visa?

    If you are a US citizen with a US passport traveling to Schengen* countries for business or tourism, you will not need a visa as long as your stay does not exceed 90 days within a six-month period. If you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than three months, contact the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time to apply for a visa.

    Also, be aware that ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System)* will start operations at the end of 2026. This will affect visa-exempt travelers (including those from the US) that are going to enter 30 European countries. Travelers will be asked to apply via the official ETIAS website* or mobile app. Each applicant will undergo a detailed security check to determine their status for entry into any of the Schengen Zone countries.

  • Does World Nomads Travel Insurance meet the Schengen visa requirements?

    Yes…it does!

    If you are from one of the countries that requires a Schengen visa, you need to prove that you have adequate travel insurance that is valid for the entire period of your stay (or transit) in the Schengen area.

    World Nomads travel protection plans provides more than the required EUR €30,000 medical coverage and therefore it should be accepted as part of your Schengen visa application.

    If you are looking for travel insurance for Schengen countries, you can get a quote from World Nomads. If you aren’t sure if something is covered, contact us.

  • When does ETIAS start?

    ETIAS will start in the last quarter of 2026, but an exact date has not been set yet. This will affect the process for visa-exempt travelers (including those from the US) that are going to enter 30 European countries. Once it starts, travelers will be asked to apply via the official ETIAS website* or mobile app. Each applicant will undergo a detailed security check to determine their status for entry into any of the Schengen Zone countries.

  • How long can I stay in the Schengen countries without a visa?
    As a US citizen, your stay can’t exceed 90 days within a six-month period. If you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than three months, contact the embassy of the country where you plan to spend the majority of your time to apply for a visa.
  • Can I get travel insurance if I’m traveling to multiple Schengen countries in one trip?

    Yes. When you get a quote for a travel protection plan that provides travel insurance benefits and non-insurance services for your trip to the Schengen area, you’ll be asked to input which countries you’ll be visiting. Make sure you list all of the countries on your itinerary. When you purchase a plan, you must select all the countries and regions where you’ll be traveling, and these will be shown on your Certificate of Insurance.

  • Do I need travel insurance for Schengen countries where I have a layover?
    You don’t need to purchase extra travel insurance if you are making a quick layover in a country and you’re not planning to leave the airport. However, please note that if you decide you do want to explore a new destination and want to extend your vacation, the moment you step out of the airport you’ll need travel insurance if you want to be covered in case of unexpected events.
  • How do I file a claim?

    If you need to cancel your trip due to a covered reason, you can file a claim online. Be sure to save all your trip receipts – you’ll need to show proof of those non-refundable expenses when you submit a claim. Make sure you have documentation showing the reason for your canceled trip as well. For example, if you are canceling your trip due to illness, you’ll need to show supporting documentation proving you were unable to travel.

20260223-5237266. *This website is not affiliated with United States Fire Insurance Company, World Nomads, or Trip Mate. This is not a full list of what is and isn’t covered, so please check your plan document for a full list of maximums, terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions that may apply to your state specific plan. Any example scenarios provided above are not a guarantee of coverage. All claims are subject to review, require documentation and are considered individually. Exclusion applies to Adventure or Extreme Activities.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Standard Plan: $2,500
  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Epic Plan: $15,000
  • Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $125,000
  • Explorer Plan: $150,000
  • Epic Plan: $250,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation

We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.

  • Standard Plan: $400,000
  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Epic Plan: $700,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medevac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.

  • Standard Plan: $1,000
  • Explorer Plan: $2,000
  • Epic Plan: $3,000
  • Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.

Protect your health

  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
  • Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Evacuations
  • Bedside Companion Travel
  • Emergency Medications

Protect Your Trip

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
  • Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
  • Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
  • Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)

Protect Your Stuff

  • Baggage Delay
  • Passport and Visa Loss
  • Lost or Stolen Bags
  • Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
  • Baggage Return After Evacuation

Non-Insurance Services

  • Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
  • Translators Available
  • Pre-Departure Telehealth Services
  • Portable Health Records
  • Delayed or Lost Baggage Tracking and Delivery
This is a general summary for US residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefits limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.