What is the Schengen Area?
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Norway, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Who needs Schengen Travel Insurance?
If you live in the UK, knowing whether or not you require a visa for your travels to the Schengen Area can be confusing, especially post-Brexit. The answer will ultimately depend on the country that issued your passport:
UK Nationals. If you are a UK passport holder living in the UK, you will usually require a visa if you will be spending more than 90 days in a 180 period in the Schengen Area, or if you will be travelling there for a work-related reason. You can find detailed and up-to-date information about travelling to the Schengen Area on the UK Government’s website.
Non-UK Nationals. The UK is home to over 6 million non-UK passport holders from all over the world. If you're a UK resident with a foreign passport, please visit the travel advice section of your passport-issuing country's website to find out if you need a visa. For passport holders of many countries like India, Pakistan, Nigeria, South Africa and China, a visa is usually required to spend any time in the Schengen Area.
If you need a visa to travel to the Schengen Area, you must have medical insurance that covers at least €30,000 for medical and hospital expenses. Without this, your visa application may be rejected, so make sure you have the right insurance coverage before you apply.
As well as being key to a successful visa application, Schengen Travel Insurance is vital for anyone planning to visit the Schengen area.
Here’s why having Schengen Travel Insurance is so important:Healthcare costs in Europe can be prohibitively expensive for non-EU residents. In case of an accident or illness, medical expenses can quickly add up. Gigasure offers medical coverage that includes emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, ensuring that you won’t be burdened by treatment costs. Whether you encounter minor health issues or require more serious care, this cover provides peace of mind.
Many popular activities in the Schengen Area, such as skiing in the Alps, hiking through mountainous terrains, or exploring historical landmarks, carry inherent risks. The Gigasure app allows you to easily upgrade your travel insurance on the go to cover spontaneous or high-risk activities, ensuring you're protected for all your adventures. Whether planned or impromptu, your activities will be insured.
Travelling within the Schengen Area also comes with the risk of theft, scams, and accidents. In crowded cities or busy airports, it’s easy to lose personal belongings or become a target for petty crime. However, with the right insurance policy, you'll be covered for lost or stolen items. Gigasure’s Personal Belongings and Baggage Benefits provide protection, so you can travel confidently, knowing you're safeguarded against unexpected losses.
Why choose Gigasure for your Schengen
Travel Insurance?
If you are a UK resident who requires a visa for your travels to the Schengen Area, Gigasure Travel
Insurance meets the medical insurance requirements needed to support a successful visa application.
We've made purchasing easier and packed in more benefits, giving you the flexibility and security
you need for your European travels. With Gigasure, enjoy peace of mind and seamless cover,
so you can focus on your adventure without worry.
Personalise your plan - Tailor your Annual Multi-trip cover to match your travel style with Gigasure's flexible policy options. For extended adventures, our specialised Backpackers insurance offers protection designed for longer journeys across Europe. No matter your itinerary, budget, or needs, we offer a plan that perfectly suits your exploration of the Schengen area, with the flexibility to include cover for non-Schengen countries too
Post-purchase Boosts - After securing your Schengen Travel Insurance, use the Gigasure app's Boost feature to easily upgrade your cover on the go. With just a few taps, you can add benefits like Adventure Sports, Winter Sports, or Extended Stay Coverage. This flexibility is ideal for spontaneous decisions during your European adventure, ensuring you're protected no matter where your journey takes you
Gigasure app - The Gigasure app is your all-in-one travel companion, offering a seamless insurance experience from start to finish. With the app, you can purchase and manage your policy, instantly access all your documents, and chat with customer support whenever you need assistance
GigaShield Baggage Delay - GigaShield provides cash benefits for delayed baggage. You can easily activate the GigaShield Baggage Delay benefit by simply registering your flight in the Gigasure app before your trip. If your luggage is delayed, follow the process to receive a rapid cash payment
GigaShield Flight Delay - GigaShield tracks your flight, and if it's delayed by 3 hours or more, you'll receive a VIP lounge pass and/or cash payment. Register your flight in the Gigasure app before your trip to activate this benefit. Stay comfortable and compensated during unexpected delays
Medical cover - Gigasure Assist offers 24/7 worldwide emergency assistance, helping ensure you're protected for all medical emergencies across the Schengen area. Medical expenses and repatriation costs to the UK are covered up to £20,000,000 (depending on the plan selected), far exceeding the minimum €30,000 required by Schengen visa regulations
Insurance cover
for your travel in
the Schengen Area
Gigasure Schengen Travel Insurance is designed to protect your adventures across the Schengen Area. Our policies cover you against unexpected events such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost personal belongings. Customising your coverage is simple — just use the toggles to adjust your plan to fit your itinerary and budget.
Customisable plans to suit your needs and budget
Gigasure lets you personalise your insurance plan to suit your exact needs and budget. Unlike standard plans, our platform allows you to easily adjust coverage by adding or removing different benefit categories and adjusting your excess ensuring you only pay for what you need. During the policy purchasing process, you can also enhance your policy with optional add-ons for activities like Winter Sports, Extended Stay, and more.
Even after purchasing your travel insurance, the flexibility continues through the Gigasure app, allowing you to Boost your coverage as you travel. This dynamic approach ensures your policy adapts to your journey, giving you peace of mind without unnecessary costs.
Boost your policy during your trip
Gigasure lets you tailor your policy to fit your unique travel style and
needs, offering a range of coverage options. With the Boost feature,
you can easily adjust and enhance your policy on the go to suit any
spontaneous plans.
- Choose the level of coverage option that best suits your travel plan
- Upgrade your policy with add-ons like high-value item protection, or medical benefits.
- Customise your coverage options during sign-up by paying only for what you need.
- Experience a personalised policy cover that provides the right protection for a reasonable price.
What does our Travel Insurance for Schengen cover?
Gigasure can offer medical cover for a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions. It also includes cover for emergency treatment, hospitalisation, and medical evacuations if needed. In the event of a medical emergency, Gigasure provides 24/7 worldwide assistance, helping to ensure you receive the necessary care.
Gigasure offers coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions due to unexpected events such as illness, injury, or redundancy. This protection helps you recover non-refundable costs, ensuring you can reschedule or continue your journey without facing additional financial strain.
The Personal Belongings and Baggage Benefits cover loss, theft, or damage to your personal items and luggage during your trip. This includes compensation for essential items if your baggage is lost, offering protection against unexpected disruptions while you travel.
Delayed flights and missing baggage are common worries for travellers. GigaShield helps alleviate these with its special delay benefits. Simply register your flight details in the Gigasure app ahead of your trip to activate the benefits and enjoy peace of mind when delays occur.
Gigasure's Travel Insurance provides assistance in case of a medical emergency during your trip to the Schengen Area. We'll arrange for emergency evacuation or repatriation to the nearest suitable medical facility or your home country. With Gigasure, we can help take the worry away about unexpected medical expenses, so you can focus on your recovery with peace of mind.
Many Schengen Area countries are popular for winter sports. With the Gigasure app, you can add Winter Sports coverage to your policy, ensuring you're protected while skiing, snowboarding, or enjoying other snow activities.
How does GigaShield protect you during your
travels in the Schengen Area?
What is a GigaShield?
GigaShield is a range of prompt cash benefits, brought to you by Gigasure. This benefit includes GigaShield Flight
Delay and GigaShield Baggage Delay, aimed at protecting travellers from flight and baggage delays.
Offers airport lounge access or cash payment for delays over 3 hours. Register your flight in the Gigasure app before your trip to activate the benefit.
Offers prompt cash payment for delayed bags. Get your Property Irregularity Report (PIR) number from your airline company and enter it the Gigasure App.
How does GigaShield Flight Delay work?
GigaShield Flight Delay offers access to an airport lounge or a prompt cash benefit if your flight is delayed by 3 hours or
more. This benefit is automatically included when you purchase a Gigasure Travel Insurance for Schengen Area
policy that includes Flight and Baggage Delay cover. To activate this benefit, simply enter your flight
details into the Gigasure app before you travel:
How Does GigaShield Baggage Delay work?
GigaShield Baggage Delay offers a cash payment when you enter your airline's Property Irregularity Number (PIR) into the
Gigasure app if your baggage is delayed. This benefit is included in Gigasure Travel Insurance policies with Travel and
Baggage Delay cover and can be activated by entering your flight details in the app.
How to purchase Gigasure Travel Insurance?
Purchase your Travel Insurance easily through the Gigasure app or via our website. Select from our Core, Pro
or Max plans and use the toggles to tailor your policy by adding or removing benefits and add-ons to fit your
budget and needs. Additionally, with the Gigasure app, you have the flexibility to boost your cover while
travelling, simply by activating temporary boosts for spontaneous activities.
Step 1
Start by sharing your travel plans:destination, your companions, duration
of the trip, and any health issues and
medical conditions
Step 2
Then, select your plan and customiseit by adding the benefits and add-ons
you require
Step 3
Finally, input your information,complete the payment, and start
enjoying the protection and peace of
mind of your new policy
Buy and manage your
Schengen policy
in the app
Manage my policy
in the app
The Gigasure app simplifies policy management for you. With just a few taps,
you can easily manage your policy and make any necessary changes.
Frequently asked questions about Schengen
Travel Insurance
Schengen Travel Insurance is a specialised medical insurance policy designed for travellers visiting the Schengen Area. This is essential because it's a mandatory requirement for obtaining a Schengen visa. Even if you don't need a visa, this insurance provides crucial coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and other travel-related issues during your stay in Europe, protecting you from potentially high healthcare costs and travel disruptions.
Gigasure's Schengen travel insurance covers all 29 countries within the Schengen Area. This includes Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, Norway, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Selecting Europe (including Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, the Greek Islands, Malta, Spain, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Switzerland and Turkey) as your Travel Region when purchasing your Annual Multi-trip or Backpackers Travel Insurance cover ensures you'll have protection throughout your European journey, regardless of which Schengen Area countries you visit.
For a Schengen visa, your travel insurance must provide a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation. Gigasure's policies exceed this medical insurance requirement, offering coverage up to £20,000,000, ensuring you not only meet but surpass the criteria needed for a successful application.
Your travel insurance must cover the entire duration of your stay in the Schengen Area. Gigasure’s Travel Insurance offers flexible duration options to meet your needs:
- Annual Multi-trip cover: If you are a UK resident who needs a visa for one or more short-term visits to the Schengen Area, our Annual Multi-trip cover can offer cover for multiple visits of up to 60 days (dependent on the cover level selected) each. Simply select Europe (including Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, the Greek Islands, Malta, Spain, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Switzerland and Turkey) as your destination when getting a quote.
- Backpackers cover: If you are a UK resident who needs a visa for a visit longer than 90 days to the Schengen Area, our Backpackers cover can offer cover for visits of up to 13 months (for leisure purposes including some specified non-manual work), Simply select Europe (including Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, the Greek Islands, Malta, Spain, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Switzerland and Turkey) as your destination when getting a quote.
With Gigasure, obtaining your Schengen medical insurance certificate is quick and easy. Once you've purchased your policy through our app or website, you'll receive your Certificate of Insurance promptly which will show the Travel Region you selected when purchasing your policy. By selecting Europe (including Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, the Greek Islands, Malta, Spain, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Switzerland and Turkey) as your Travel Region when purchasing your Annual Multi-trip or Backpackers Travel Insurance policy, you will be able to proceed with your visa application without any delays, making your travel preparations smoother and more efficient.
Our Schengen Travel Insurance policies cover a wide range of travel-related risks.
Key inclusions are:- Medical expenses and emergency medical treatment
- 24/7 worldwide assistance
- Trip cancellation and interruption protection
- Baggage loss, theft, or delay coverage
- Personal liability coverage
- Our unique GigaShield benefits for flight and baggage delays You can customise your policy to include additional coverage such as winter sports or adventure activities, ensuring your policy perfectly matches your travel plans.
Yes, Gigasure offers customisable Schengen Travel Insurance policies. You can adjust your coverage levels, add or remove benefits, and include add-ons like Winter Sports cover to tailor your policy to your specific travel needs and budget. Our flexible approach ensures you only pay for the coverage you need, making your insurance both comprehensive and cost-effective.
Yes, Gigasure offers Annual Multi-trip policies for Schengen Travel Insurance. So, if you're planning multiple trips to the Schengen area within a year, our Annual Multi-trip policy could be a cost-effective option for you. This policy type covers you for multiple short trips throughout the year, providing continuous protection for frequent travellers.
Yes, Gigasure makes it easy to add family members to your policy. When purchasing your Schengen Travel Insurance, you can include your spouse, children, or other family members. This allows you to ensure everyone in your family is adequately covered under a single policy, simplifying your travel preparations and potentially offering better value for money.
The cost of Schengen Travel Insurance varies depending on several factors, including your age, trip duration, coverage level, and any add-ons you choose. To get an accurate quote tailored to your specific needs, use our quick quote tool on the Gigasure app. We pride ourselves on offering competitive pricing, ensuring you get excellent value for your Schengen Travel Insurance.