South Africa: what are the best Schengen visa insurance options in 2025?
- Insurance approved for the Schengen visa
- Immediate confirmation by email
- Refund requests directly online
- Refunds possible in a currency other than the euro
- Insurance approved for the Schengen visa
- Immediate confirmation by email
- Refund requests directly online
- Refunds possible in a currency other than the euro
The ACS - Europax offer provides coverage for medical expenses abroad up to €30,000 per insured person, with a deductible of €30, which is the same as AXA - Visa Schengen - Schengen Low Cost and Assur Travel - Impact Schengen - Essential, but lower than AXA - Visa Schengen - Schengen Europe Travel and Mondial Care - Visa Schengen - Option Premium, which offer up to €100,000. Regarding legal liability, ACS - Europax offers high coverage of €4,575,000, which far exceeds Mondial Care - Visa Schengen - Premium option, which covers up to €1,500,000. However, ACS - Europax does not offer cancellation insurance, unlike some competing offers that include this guarantee.
The price of ACS - Europax is €30.20, which is competitive compared to AXA - Visa Schengen - Schengen Low Cost at €55.00 and significantly cheaper than AXA - Visa Schengen - Schengen Europe Travel at €81.00. However, it is slightly lower than Mondial Care - Visa Schengen - Option Confort at €34.00.
The ACS - Europax offer is suitable for non-European travellers who need insurance that meets the requirements of the Schengen visa, with excellent coverage for medical emergencies and high liability coverage at a competitive price.
- Insurance accepted for a Schengen visa
- Refund if visa is refused (-€15)
- Immediate statement approved by consulates
- Repatriation guarantee after hospitalisation in your country of origin
- 24/7 Assistance
- Does not cover pre-existing conditions
- Insurance accepted for a Schengen visa
- Refund if visa is refused (-€15)
- Immediate statement approved by consulates
- Repatriation guarantee after hospitalisation in your country of origin
- 24/7 Assistance
The Chapka - Cap Schengen insurance provides coverage for medical expenses abroad up to €30,000 per insured person with a deductible of €80, which is standard compared to other offers like AVA Assurances - Ava Incoming Classic and Europ Assistance - Visa Schengen - Schengen. Medical repatriation is covered at actual cost, which offers premium coverage similar to Assur Travel - Impact Schengen - Essential and AVA Insurances - Ava Incoming Safe & Health. However, this offer does not cover trip cancellation, liability, loss or theft of luggage, or interruption of stay, making it less comprehensive than offers like ACS - Europax, which includes liability coverage up to €4,575,000 per insured person.
The price of Chapka - Cap Schengen insurance is €58.00, which is more expensive than competing offers such as Assur Travel - Impact Schengen - Essential at €37.00 and ACS - Europax at €30.20. On the other hand, it is cheaper than the AXA - Visa Schengen - Schengen Europe Travel insurance at €81.00.
This offer is suitable for non-European travellers planning a trip to the Schengen area, as it meets Schengen visa requirements with adequate coverage for medical expenses and medical repatriation.
- Insurance accepted for the Schengen visa
- Immediate confirmation by email
- 24/7 unlimited medical assistance by phone
- Insurance accepted for the Schengen visa
- Immediate confirmation by email
- 24/7 unlimited medical assistance by phone
Mondial Care - Visa Schengen - Option Confort offers solid guarantees for non-European travellers visiting the Schengen area, with a medical expenses ceiling abroad of €100,000, higher than ACS - Europax and Assur Travel - Impact Schengen - Essentiel which only offer €30,000. However, private liability insurance is covered up to €1,500,000, less than the €4,575,000 offered by ACS - Europax. Medical repatriation is covered without cost limit, similar to most other offers. However, the offer does not cover luggage, cancellation or interruption of stay, which may be a disadvantage for some travellers.
The price of Mondial Care - Visa Schengen - Option Confort is €34.00, which is competitive compared to other offers such as Assur Travel - Impact Schengen - Premium for €44.00 and AXA - Visa Schengen - Schengen Europe Travel for €81.00, although slightly more expensive than ACS - Europax for €30.20.
This offer is well suited for the non-European traveller who needs high medical cover and adequate liability insurance for a three-week stay in the Schengen area.
- Insurance accepted for Schengen visa
- Immediate certificate approved by consulates
- €3,000 legal assistance
- 24/7 unlimited telephone medical advice
- Insurance accepted for Schengen visa
- Immediate certificate approved by consulates
- €3,000 legal assistance
- 24/7 unlimited telephone medical advice
Mondial Care - Visa Schengen - Premium option offers coverage for medical expenses abroad of €100,000 per insured person, which is higher than the €30,000 of ACS - Europax and equivalent to AXA - Visa Schengen - Schengen Europe Travel. Regarding legal liability, it offers coverage of €1,500,000, less than the €4,575,000 offered by ACS - Europax, but more than most other competitors who do not cover this guarantee. Medical repatriation is covered against actual costs, a standard among premium offers. However, guarantees such as cancellation and baggage cover are lacking, unlike Chapka - Cap Academy, which covers baggage up to €3,000.
The price of Mondial Care - Visa Schengen - Premium option is €47.00, which is competitive compared to Assur Travel - Impact Schengen - Summum at €48.00 and significantly cheaper than AXA - Visa Schengen - Schengen Europe Travel at €81.00. However, it is more expensive than Mondial Care - Visa Schengen - Option Confort at €34.00 and ACS - Europax at €30.20.
This offer is suitable for non-European citizens travelling in the Schengen area, as it meets the requirements for a Schengen visa and provides adequate medical cover and liability cover.
- Insurance accepted for the Schengen visa
- Refund in case of visa refusal (-€15)
- Immediate certificate approved by the consulates
- 24/7 repatriation assistance
- Insurance accepted for the Schengen visa
- Refund in case of visa refusal (-€15)
- Immediate certificate approved by the consulates
- 24/7 repatriation assistance
Chapka - Cap Europa provides coverage for medical expenses abroad up to €70,000 per insured, with a deductible of €80, which is lower than ACS - Globe Partner and Mondial Care - World Travel which offer €300,000 and €300,000 respectively, without any deductible for the first and €50 for the second. Regarding medical repatriation, Chapka - Cap Europa covers the actual costs, similar to ACS - Globe Traveller and Mondial Care - World Travel. However, Chapka - Cap Europa does not cover luggage, unlike ACS - Globe Traveller which offers coverage of €2,000 per claim, and Mondial Care - World Travel which offers €1,000. Furthermore, cancellation insurance is not covered by Chapka - Cap Europa, while ACS - Globe Traveller provides coverage up to €9,000 per insured.
Chapka - Cap Europa is suitable for travellers journeying around the world for a year who prioritise medical coverage and repatriation, but they may encounter limitations due to the absence of coverage for luggage and cancellation.
- Why get Schengen visa insurance?
- What does Schengen visa insurance cover?
- How to choose the right Schengen visa insurance?
- How much does Schengen visa insurance cost?
Are you planning to visit a Schengen Area country and need a visa? If so, a specific travel insurance policy is mandatory to obtain that visa. It covers your medical expenses and assistance during your stay. But choosing the right insurance is crucial, as not all options offer the same protection.
Price, coverage, exclusions, certificate—after comparing dozens of Schengen visa insurance plans available in South Africa, here’s everything you need to know to choose the best one for your trip.
Schengen visa insurance: key facts
- 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 emergency assistance.
- It must be valid in all Schengen countries, even if you only visit one.
- It costs between ZAR 300 and ZAR 450 for a one-week trip, depending on your age and the coverage level.
- It offers limited protection and does not replace full travel insurance, which includes broader guarantees and better support.
- Credit card insurance almost never meets Schengen visa requirements set by embassies.
- Get your travel insurance certificate 100% online, securely, and in less than 5 minutes on HelloSafe.
Why get 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, repatriation, or hospitalization costs are covered, even for travelers without local insurance.
It is essential to obtain a visa to enter the Schengen Area, which may be granted for reasons such as tourism, business travel, family visits, short training, internships, or engaging in paid work with a temporary work permit.
2. Who needs it?
Anyone residing outside the European Union and applying for a short-stay Schengen visa (type C, less than 90 days) must purchase this insurance. This includes tourists, family visitors, or business travelers coming from a non-EU country.
Example: A South African student invited by his brother in Germany for two weeks must include a Schengen insurance certificate in 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:
- People holding a residence permit or long-stay visa issued by a Schengen country
- Holders of a diplomatic mission card
- Citizens of non-Schengen European countries (such as Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Ireland, etc.)
- Nationals of countries with specific agreements with the Schengen Area, like the United States, Japan, Australia, Brazil, Israel, and many others
⚠️ Around 60 countries are exempt from needing a Schengen Visa. You can view the full list on the European Commission website.
Also, in the case of airport transit without leaving the international zone, some foreign nationals must obtain a type A visa (e.g. Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, etc.). However, a Schengen visa is not required in such cases.
3. Is it mandatory?
Yes. You must present a valid insurance certificate that clearly shows you have subscribed to a policy meeting at least the minimum required guarantees. This is a prerequisite for your visa application to be processed.
4. What area must be covered?
The insurance must cover all Schengen countries, even if your trip is limited to just one (e.g., only France or Spain).
When subscribing, you’ll need to provide 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 or repatriation of remains
- Valid in all Schengen countries
- 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 main types:
- Short-stay plans – up to 90 days (type C visa)
- Long-stay plans – from 90 to 365 days (type D visa)
- Plans for multiple entries into the Schengen Area
7. How to get the certificate?
The certificate is issued immediately after subscription, often by email. It complies with consular requirements and must be printed to be included with your application.
⚠️ Make sure the validity and duration of your Schengen visa insurance match the length of your stay in the area. You’ll need to provide your travel dates when purchasing the policy.
Good to know
Schengen visa insurance is a requirement for travelers who wish to enter the Schengen Area. This area is made up of 29 European countries that have removed 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, the usual coverage limits, and how it may affect the overall price of your insurance.
1. Medical expenses and hospitalization abroad – 🛑 Essential
- Description: covers unexpected medical costs abroad (consultations, hospital stays, prescribed medication, urgent tests)
- Franchise: from ZAR 0 to ZAR 2,000 depending on the plan
- Plafond de remboursement: from ZAR 600,000 to ZAR 16,000,000 depending on the provider and plan
- Exclusions courantes: pre-existing conditions, non-urgent care, mental health, comfort treatments
- Impact sur le prix: 🔺 Very high – the higher the coverage limit, the more expensive the policy. ZAR 600,000 is the minimum for visa approval but may be insufficient in case of a serious emergency
- 💡 Expert tip: medical care in Europe can be very expensive. If you’re staying more than a few days or traveling with children, consider a higher limit for better protection.
2. Medical repatriation – 🛑 Essential
- Description: covers transportation to your home country or to a more suitable medical facility in case of a serious health issue
- Franchise: none in most plans
- Plafond de remboursement: actual costs covered, usually without limit if pre-approved by the insurer
- Exclusions courantes: repatriation not medically justified or not approved by the insurer
- Impact sur le prix: 🔸 Moderate – often included in standard coverage packages
- 💡 Expert tip: choose an insurer offering 24/7 medical assistance services, especially if traveling solo or with children, to ensure quick and stress-free coordination in case of emergency.
3. Transport of remains in case of death – 🛑 Essential
- Description: covers the repatriation of the body to the home country, including coffin or embalming costs
- Franchise: none
- Plafond de remboursement: from ZAR 10,000 to ZAR 30,000 depending on the destination and the insurer
- Exclusions courantes: suicide, death in a non-covered country, failure to meet policy conditions
- Impact sur le prix: 🔸 Moderate
- 💡 Expert tip: check if funeral expenses are included in addition to transport, especially for long repatriations to South Africa, which can be costly.
4. Emergency dental care – 🟡 Optional
- Description: covers urgent dental treatment in case of sudden severe pain (e.g. infected cavity, abscess)
- Franchise: from ZAR 0 to ZAR 1,600
- Plafond de remboursement: from ZAR 1,800 to ZAR 3,000 depending on the plan
- Exclusions courantes: prosthetics, cosmetic procedures, non-urgent care
- Impact sur le prix: 🔻 Low
- 💡 Expert tip: this coverage isn’t necessary if you have good dental health and no history of emergencies—skip it to save on your premium.
5. Personal liability abroad – 🟠 Optional
- Description: covers material or bodily damage you unintentionally cause to others during your stay abroad
- Franchise: from ZAR 0 to ZAR 2,000
- Plafond de remboursement: up to ZAR 80,000,000 depending on the policy
- Exclusions courantes: intentional damage, damages involving vehicles, harm to family members
- Impact sur le prix: 🔺 High, especially with higher coverage ceilings
- 💡 Expert tip: this is highly recommended if you’re staying in someone’s home or in short-term rentals like Airbnb—liability incidents can be costly in Europe.
6. Lost, stolen or delayed baggage – 🟠 Optional
- Description: compensation in case your personal belongings are lost, stolen or damaged during your trip
- Franchise: around ZAR 2,000
- Plafond de remboursement: from ZAR 10,000 to ZAR 20,000 depending on the policy – often limited to transported items, excluding valuables
- Exclusions courantes: valuables (jewelry, cash, official documents), unchecked or unattended luggage, delays under 12 or 24 hours
- Impact sur le prix: 🔺 Medium to high, often included in premium plans or as a paid option
- 💡 Expert tip: if luggage protection is a priority, avoid budget insurance plans. Stopovers at major hubs like Paris, Brussels, or Frankfurt increase the risk of lost baggage.
7. Trip cancellation or interruption – 🟡 Optional
- Description: reimburses non-refundable travel costs if you cancel or cut short your trip for valid reasons (illness, death of a relative, unexpected work issues)
- Franchise: from ZAR 400 to ZAR 1,000 depending on the plan (not always applied)
- Plafond de remboursement: from ZAR 20,000 to ZAR 100,000 per person depending on the policy
- Exclusions courantes: cancellations without proof, known conditions, visa refusals, changes of mind
- Impact sur le prix: 🔺 Significant – may raise your premium by 15% to 30%
- 💡 Expert tip: if you're booking a long-haul flight from South Africa, this can be very useful. European hotels and transport are costly—being able to recover those expenses can give you peace of mind.
Warning
Some very low-cost insurance plans (less than ZAR 200) 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 you should carefully consider before selecting a Schengen visa insurance plan.
Criterion | Why it matters | Expert tip |
---|---|---|
Age | Some insurers refuse travelers over 70 | Choose a provider that covers up to 74, as others may have stricter limits |
Health condition | Pre-existing conditions are often excluded | If necessary, choose a plan that allows a medical declaration option |
Countries visited | Some plans don’t cover the entire Schengen Area | Make sure all Schengen countries are listed, even if only transiting |
Trip duration | Many offers are limited to 90 days | For longer trips, get a long-stay (D) visa insurance or request an extension |
Purpose of travel | Tourism, internship, business: coverage may vary depending on your activity | Pick a plan tailored to your travel purpose, as benefits can differ greatly |
Exchange rate impact | Fluctuations in the rand vs. euro can affect pricing | Compare prices over several days and watch out for high conversion fees |
How much does Schengen visa insurance cost?
What affects the price
Here are the main factors that influence the price of a Schengen visa insurance policy:
- Trip duration: the longer your stay, the higher the premium, as the risk period increases
- Traveler's age: insurers often apply surcharges for travelers over 60 or 70, considered higher risk
- Coverage level chosen: a “basic” plan with the Schengen minimum will cost less than a comprehensive plan covering luggage, liability, etc.
- Number of countries visited: with some insurers, you'll pay more if visiting non-Schengen countries like the UK or Cyprus
- Country of residence: some insurers adjust pricing based on your origin—it's often cheaper for travelers from Europe or North Africa than from further regions like South Africa
- Insurance provider and options: each company has its own pricing scale and refund policy. Add-ons like cancellation or teleconsultation services can raise the price
Here are some average prices for Schengen visa insurance:
Trip duration | Traveler’s age | Average price* |
---|---|---|
3 days | 35 years old | ZAR 150 |
1 week | 35 years old | ZAR 340 |
1 week | 65 years old | ZAR 390 |
1 month | 20 years old | ZAR 1,100 |
1 month | 65 years old | ZAR 1,480 |
*These rates are indicative only, as many factors affect the final price.
How to pay less for your Schengen visa insurance?
Now that you have an idea of the average costs, here are a few tips to help you optimise your insurance plan without compromising on the essential coverage.
Optimisation tip | Explanation |
---|---|
⤴️ Choose a higher deductible | A ZAR 2,000 deductible instead of ZAR 0 can significantly lower your premium |
⏳ Limit the coverage duration | The shorter the stay, the cheaper the insurance |
🎯 Only cover what’s essential | Emergency care and repatriation are enough for a visa. Healthy travelers need little more |
⚖️ Compare the limits | ZAR 600,000 (approx. €30,000) is enough for the visa—don’t overpay for ZAR 10 million if not needed |
💸 Use negotiated deals | Hellosafe gets you access to exclusive discounts and promo codes |
Expert tip
Don't rely on your credit card insurance. While some premium cards like FNB Premier or Absa Private Bank may offer travel protection, these plans rarely meet the specific requirements needed to obtain a Schengen visa. In most cases, the medical coverage limits are far too low.