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

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.

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:

*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.

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.

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.