Finance & Performance
The best insurances for a Schengen visa in 2026 are ALLIANZ Schengen, IGM… To obtain a Schengen visa (stay > 90 days), you need travel insurance covering at least €30,000 in medical and assistance costs (hospitalization, repatriation and death-related expenses), valid throughout the Schengen area and for the entire duration of your stay. All 29 Schengen countries require this proof. Allianz points out that several other countries (Argentina, Cuba, Tanzania, Qatar, Zanzibar, etc.) require travel insurance covering medical care, hospitalization and medical transport.
Many blogs compile lists of insurers without indicating their method. For a useful ranking in 2026, we have :
Analyzed 69 policies from 23 companies according to Forbes Advisor 2026, retaining their top-rated policy. Scoring is based on: cost (35% of score), medical caps (15%), evacuation (15%), Cancel For Any Reason option (10%), trip interruption, delays, baggage, coverage of pre-existing conditions and Cancel For Any Reason options.
Checked the conformity of guarantees for a Schengen visa (ceiling ≥ €30,000, attestation in French/English, territorial validity).
Prefer contracts offering repatriation assistance/organization (coordination and logistics) rather than simple amounts, because good assistance is crucial in the event of a serious loss.
Studied the terms and conditions of subscription (time required to obtain the certificate, possible endorsements for sports, Covid-19 coverage or political events).
Consulted independent guides (NerdWallet, Investopedia) to confirm caps and exclusions (sports, pre-existing conditions, etc.).
Allianz Travel/AllTrips – Best assistance/organization.
Allianz offers Schengen policies (e.g. OneTrip Basic or Premier) that cover emergency medical care and offer up to $1 million in medical transport in the OneTrip Premier plan. The Allianz website reminds us that some countries require a minimum of €30,000 of cover for the Schengen area, and that their plans include 24-hour assistance with logistics taken care of (coordination of transport, repatriation to a suitable hospital). These services are essential when traveling to a country with a limited medical infrastructure, far ahead of AXA Schengen.
IMG (iTravelInsured) – High medical and evacuation ceilings. According to Forbes Advisor 2026, the iTravelInsured Travel LX plan offers $500,000 in medical coverage and $1 million for evacuation, with 75% CFAR options and a “hospital of choice” feature allowing you to select the final hospital. The plan also offers a package to cover veterinary care and reimbursements in the event of pet-related cancellations.
Travelex / Seven Corners / Generali / Nationwide / HTH – Good coverage/price balance. These insurers score high for medical cover (typically ≥ $250,000), evacuation (≥ $500,000) and short waiting periods for delays. Travelex offers extension options for sports and pets, while Seven Corners and Generali stand out for specific plans (cruise, pre-existing) offering reimbursement of up to 150% in the event of interruption. HTH stands out for seniors, withevacuation ceilingsof $500,000 and plans adapted up to age 95.
AXA Schengen (AXA Assistance) – is often cited in recommendations, but has increasingly bad reviews TRUSTPILOT: https: //fr.trustpilot.com/review/www.axa-schengen.com. AXA markets “Schengen” policies designed to help you obtain a visa. They provide a certificate of compliance (in English/French), cover at least €30,000 and include assistance/repatriation. Although the ceilings are lower than global plans, AXA is particularly convenient for visa applications, thanks to competitive rates and rapid underwriting, but seems to have less good coverage than competitors such as ALLIANZ.
| Insurer | Medical care ceiling | Evacuation/repatriation ceiling | Highlights | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allianz | 50,000 (OneTrip Basic) to $50,000 + (AllTrips) | up to $1 million | 24-hour assistance/organization, cancellation options, hospital of choice, rapid attestation | Travelers requiring strong assistance and a worldwide network |
| IMG Travel LX | 500 000 $ | 1 million | 75% CFAR, hospital of choice option, pet coverage | High-risk or multi-zone travel |
| Seven Corners | 250 000 $ | 500 000 $ | Cruise plan: 150% refund in the event of interruption, CFAR/IFAR options at 75%. | Cruisers and families |
| Travelex | 50,000 to $500,000 according to plan | 250 000 $ à 500 000 $ | Sports/animal extensions, high baggage coverage | Family, leisure travel |
| HTH / Generali | 125,000 to $250,000 (budget) | 500 000 $ | Bond for seniors (HTH: up to age 95), pre-existing covered if underwritten within 14 days | Seniors, expatriates |
* Indicative ceilings based on the sources quoted; please check exact amounts when subscribing.
What is the minimum coverage required for a Schengen visa?
Insurance must cover at least €30,000 for medical expenses, hospitalization and repatriation, valid for all Schengen countries and for the entire duration of the stay.
Do I need insurance if my bank card includes assistance?
According to NerdWallet, most premium cards offer only very low medical ceilings (often $2,000) and no evacuation. Dedicated insurance covers up to $500,000 in medical care and $1 million in evacuation, as well as delays, baggage and cancellation. So it’s wise to take out comprehensive travel insurance, even if your card offers coverage.
How much does Schengen visa insurance cost?
NerdWallet estimates the cost of travel insurance at between 4% and 8% of the total cost of the trip. Schengen plans are often less expensive (a few dozen euros), but vary according to age, duration and destination.
Which other countries require travel insurance for entry in 2026?
In addition to Schengen, Argentina, Cuba, Tanzania, Qatar and Zanzibar require insurance to cover medical care, hospitalization and medical transport. Some countries (e.g. Japan) are planning to make this compulsory by the end of 2026. Rules are subject to change: consult official sources before you leave.
Is it possible to choose the repatriation hospital?
Some top-of-the-range plans, such as IMG Travel LX, include a “hospital of choice” option which allows you, after an initial transfer to the nearest suitable hospital, to be transported to the hospital of your choice in your country. Check this option before you buy.