Singapore: what are the best Schengen visa insurance options in 2025?

Are you planning a trip to a Schengen country and need a visa? Be aware that a specific travel insurance policy is mandatory to obtain your Schengen visa. It covers your medical expenses and emergency assistance during your stay. But not all insurance plans are created equal — choosing the right one is essential.

Price, coverage, exclusions, certificate… After comparing dozens of Schengen visa insurance options available from Singapore, here’s everything you need to know to make the right choice.

Schengen Visa Insurance: Key Facts to Remember

• It is mandatory to obtain a short-stay visa (type C).
• It must cover at least €30,000 in medical expenses.
• It must include repatriation and 24/7 assistance.
• It must be valid in all Schengen countries, even if you are only visiting one.
• It costs between SGD 22 and SGD 35 for a one-week trip, depending on your age and the level of coverage selected.
• It provides limited coverage and does not replace full travel insurance, which includes broader protection and higher reimbursement limits.
• Credit card insurance rarely meets the Schengen visa requirements set by embassies.
• Get your travel insurance certificate online, securely and in under 5 minutes on the HelloSafe website.

Why Take Out Schengen Visa Insurance?

1. What Is It For?

Schengen visa insurance is required to protect both visitors and European healthcare systems.
It ensures that medical expenses, repatriation, or hospitalization costs are covered, even for a traveler without local insurance.

It is essential for obtaining a visa to enter the Schengen area, which may be granted for reasons such as tourism, business trips, family visits, short training, internships, or carrying out a paid activity after receiving temporary work authorization.

2. Who Is Concerned?

Anyone residing outside the European Union and applying for a short-stay Schengen visa (type C, i.e. less than 90 days) must take out this insurance.
This includes tourists, family visitors, or professionals coming from a non-EU country.

Example: An Indonesian student invited by his sister living in Germany for a two-week stay must submit a Schengen insurance certificate with his visa application.

Good to Know

Some foreign nationals are exempt from the type C visa requirement, and therefore from Schengen visa insurance, for stays under 90 days:

• Individuals holding a residence permit or residence card issued by a Schengen country
• Holders of diplomatic mission cards
• Citizens of European countries outside the Schengen area (Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Ireland, etc.)
• Nationals of countries with specific agreements with the Schengen area such as the United States, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Israel, and many others

⚠️ Around 60 countries are exempt from the Schengen visa requirement. You can find the full list on the website of the European Commission.

Additionally, for airport transits without leaving the international zone, some nationalities still require a type A visa (e.g., Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, etc.). However, this is not a Schengen visa.

3. Yes, it is mandatory.

The presentation of a valid insurance certificate, clearly indicating the subscription to a policy meeting at least the minimum coverage requirements, is a prerequisite for your visa application to be processed.

4. What Area Must Be Covered?

The insurance must cover all countries in the Schengen area, even if your trip only involves one country (e.g., only France or Spain).

When purchasing your policy, you’ll need to indicate your travel dates and the country or countries you plan to visit.

5. What Are the Minimum Requirements?

• Coverage for emergency medical expenses up to €30,000
• Coverage for medical repatriation (including repatriation of remains)
• Valid in the entire Schengen area
• Valid for the entire duration of the stay in the Schengen area
• Certificate must be submitted with the visa application

6. Are There Different Types of Plans?

Yes, there are generally three types:

• Short-stay plans – up to 90 days (type C visa)
• Long-stay plans – from 90 to 365 days (type D visa)
• Multiple-entry plans – for travelers entering and exiting the Schengen area multiple times

7. How to get the certificate?

The certificate is issued immediately after purchase, often by email. It meets consular requirements and must be printed to include with your visa application.
⚠️ Keep in mind that the validity and duration of your Schengen visa insurance must match your travel dates. You'll need to provide these when purchasing your policy.

Good to Know

Schengen visa insurance is a requirement for travelers wishing to enter the Schengen area. This area is made up of 29 European countries that have abolished internal border controls. Here is the list:
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland.

What Does Schengen Visa Insurance Cover?

Here are the benefits typically included in Schengen visa insurance policies. For each one, we’ve indicated whether it is essential or optional. You’ll also find common coverage limits and how much the benefit may impact the overall price of the insurance.

1. Medical Expenses and Hospitalization Abroad – 🛑 Essential

• Description: covers unexpected healthcare costs abroad (consultations, hospital stays, prescribed medication, urgent exams)
• Deductible: from SGD 0 to SGD 150 depending on the plan
• Coverage limit: from €30,000 (mandatory minimum) to €500,000, up to €1,000,000 for premium plans
• Common exclusions: pre-existing conditions, non-urgent treatments, mental health, comfort care
• Price impact: 🔺 High – the higher the coverage limit, the more expensive the plan. €30,000 is visa-compliant but limited for serious emergencies
• 💡Expert tip: medical costs in Schengen countries can be high. Opt for more than the minimum if you’re staying long or want peace of mind in case of hospitalization.

2. Medical Repatriation – 🛑 Essential

• Description: covers transport to your home country or a more suitable facility in case of a major health issue
• Deductible: none in most plans
• Coverage limit: actual costs (no limit if the repatriation is approved by the insurer)
• Common exclusions: repatriation not medically justified or not pre-approved by the insurer
• Price impact: 🔸 Moderate – usually included in the basic package
• 💡Expert tip: choose insurers that offer 24/7 assistance services, especially if you’re travelling alone or to multiple countries, for stress-free coordination during emergencies.

3. Repatriation of Remains – 🛑 Essential

• Description: covers the return of the body to the home country and associated costs like coffin or embalming
• Deductible: none
• Coverage limit: from €500 to €1,500 depending on the plan; may vary with destination and repatriation logistics
• Common exclusions: suicide, death in a non-covered country, non-compliance with policy conditions
• Price impact: 🔸 Moderate
• 💡Expert tip: check if funeral-related costs (like embalming or casket) are also included—not all plans go beyond transport.

4. Emergency Dental Care – 🟡 Optional

• Description: covers urgent dental treatment for sudden pain (e.g., infected cavity, abscess)
• Deductible: from SGD 0 to SGD 120 depending on the plan
• Coverage limit: from SGD 140 to SGD 230 per case, depending on the insurer
• Common exclusions: dentures, cosmetic procedures, non-urgent dental care
• Price impact: 🔻 Low
• 💡Expert tip: if you have no existing dental issues, this coverage may not be necessary—save by skipping it.

5. Personal Liability Abroad – 🟡 Optional

• Description: covers material or bodily damage you unintentionally cause to others during your trip
• Deductible: from SGD 0 to SGD 150 depending on the plan
• Coverage limit: from SGD 80,000 to SGD 6,000,000 depending on the contract
• Common exclusions: intentional harm, vehicle-related incidents, professional activities
• Price impact: 🔺 High – especially with higher coverage limits
• 💡Expert tip: highly recommended if you’re staying with relatives or renting an Airbnb, where accidental damage can easily occur.

6. Lost, Stolen or Delayed Baggage – 🟡 Optional

• Description: compensation for loss, theft, or damage to your personal belongings during travel
• Deductible: around SGD 150
• Coverage limit: from SGD 750 to SGD 1,500 depending on the plan – usually excludes valuables and jewelry
• Common exclusions: valuable items (jewelry, cash, official documents), unchecked or unattended bags, delays under 12–24 hours
• Price impact: 🔺 Moderate to high – often included in premium plans or as a paid add-on
• 💡Expert tip: if baggage protection is a priority, avoid budget plans. Connections at major hubs like Paris, Brussels, or Frankfurt increase the risk of lost luggage.

7. Trip Cancellation or Interruption – 🟡 Optional

• Description: reimbursement of non-refundable expenses if you cancel or cut short your trip for valid reasons (illness, death in the family, unexpected work issues)
• Deductible: from SGD 30 to SGD 80 depending on the policy (not always applied)
• Coverage limit: from SGD 1,500 to SGD 7,500 per person depending on the plan
• Common exclusions: cancellations without documented justification, late claims, pre-existing conditions not declared
• Price impact: 🔺 Significant – can increase your premium by 15% to 30%
• 💡Expert tip: this is especially valuable for long-haul flights from Singapore. Schengen accommodation is expensive, so this coverage can help you recover major costs in case of emergency.

Warning

Some very low-cost insurance plans (under SGD 15) offer no assistance and only minimal, unclear coverage. Always read the terms and conditions carefully before purchasing.

How to Choose the Right Schengen Visa Insurance?

Here are the key criteria to keep in mind before selecting a Schengen visa insurance plan.

How Much Does Schengen Visa Insurance Cost?

Key Factors That Influence the Price

The cost of Schengen visa insurance depends on several key factors:

• Trip duration: the longer the stay, the higher the premium, as the insured risk extends over a longer period
• Traveler’s age: insurers often charge higher premiums for travelers over 60 or 70 due to increased health risk
• Coverage level: a basic plan covering only the Schengen minimum will cost less than a comprehensive plan with baggage and liability insurance
• Number of countries visited: visiting additional countries outside the Schengen area, like the UK or Cyprus, may raise the price
• Country of residence: some insurers adjust their pricing based on your home country’s perceived risk level — for example, it’s often cheaper for travelers from Europe or Southeast Asia than from higher-risk zones
• Insurer and options: each provider sets their own rates. Add-ons like cancellation or teleconsultation can affect the final price

Here are a few examples of Schengen visa insurance prices:

* These prices are indicative only, as many factors influence the final cost.

How to Pay Less for Your Schengen Visa Insurance?

Now that you have an idea of the average prices, here are a few smart tips to optimize your insurance plan without sacrificing essential coverage.

Expert tip

Don’t rely on your credit card’s insurance. While some premium cards in Singapore like Visa Infinite or Mastercard World Elite offer travel insurance, they rarely meet the specific requirements for a Schengen visa. Medical coverage limits are usually too low.

A. Fruchard

Insurance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and an experienced entrepreneur in the insurance and personal finance sector, Antoine uses his experience and in-depth knowledge of the market to help Internet users make the right choices. With an MBA in economics, he is a committed expert whose mission is to make personal finance and insurance issues simple and understandable. With a rich career marked by the creation of innovative companies, Antoine's ambition has always been to bring transparency to complex issues and to give power back to consumers. With HelloSafe, he continues to translate this vision by providing accurate advice, impartial comparisons and detailed explanations of travel insurance. He has analysed hundreds of contracts to reveal the best options available on the market.

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