Philippines: what are the best Schengen visa insurances in 2025?

Are you planning to visit a country in the Schengen Area and need a visa? If so, a specific travel insurance policy is mandatory to obtain that visa. It covers your medical expenses and assistance services 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 the Philippines, 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’re only visiting one.
• It costs between PHP 900 and PHP 1,800 for a one-week trip, depending on age and level of coverage.
• It offers basic coverage and does not replace full travel insurance, which includes broader protection and higher limits.
• Credit card insurance almost never meets Schengen visa requirements set by embassies.
•  Get your travel insurance certificate 100% online, securely, and in under 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 for entry into the Schengen Area, which may be granted for purposes such as tourism, business, family visits, short-term training, internships, or paid activities 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, meaning less than 90 days) must purchase this insurance. This includes tourists, business travelers, or family visitors coming from a non-EU country.

Example: A Filipino student invited by her sister in Spain for two weeks must include a Schengen insurance certificate in her 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 more

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

Also, in the case of airport transit without leaving the international area, some foreign nationals must apply for 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 this case.

3. Is it mandatory?

Yes. You must present a valid insurance certificate clearly showing that the policy meets the minimum required guarantees. It 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 stay is limited to just one (e.g., only France or Spain).

When purchasing your policy, 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 your 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 purchase, often by email. It meets consular requirements and must be printed to be included in your application.
⚠️ Make sure the validity and duration of your Schengen visa insurance match your travel dates. You will need to enter your exact trip dates when purchasing the policy.

Good to know

Schengen visa insurance is a requirement for travelers wishing to enter the Schengen Area. This area includes 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 typical benefits included in Schengen visa insurance policies. For each one, I’ve noted whether it is essential or optional, the usual coverage limits, and how it can affect the overall cost of your insurance.

1. Medical expenses and hospitalization abroad – 🛑 Essential

• Description: covers unexpected healthcare costs abroad (consultations, hospital stays, prescribed medication, urgent tests)
• Franchise: from PHP 0 to PHP 6,000 depending on the plan
• Plafond de remboursement: from PHP 1,800,000 to PHP 30,000,000
• Exclusions courantes: pre-existing conditions, non-urgent care, comfort treatments, mental health disorders
• Impact sur le prix: 🔺 Very high – higher limits significantly increase the premium. PHP 1.8M is the minimum for the visa, but might not be enough for major emergencies
• 💡 Expert tip: medical care in Schengen countries is expensive. Choose coverage above the minimum if your trip is long or if you want better peace of mind in case of hospitalization.

2. Medical repatriation – 🛑 Essential

• Description: covers transport 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, from PHP 0 to unlimited if approved by the insurer
• Exclusions courantes: repatriation not medically justified or not approved by the insurer
• Impact sur le prix: 🔸 Moderate – usually included in base coverage
• 💡 Expert tip: choose insurers offering 24/7 emergency support, especially if traveling alone or with children, to ensure fast coordination when needed

3. Transport of remains in case of death – 🛑 Essential

• Description: covers repatriation of the body to the home country, including coffin or embalming costs
• Franchise: none
• Plafond de remboursement: from PHP 30,000 to PHP 90,000 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-distance repatriation to the Philippines.

4. Emergency dental care – 🟡 Optional

• Description: covers urgent dental treatment in case of sudden severe pain (e.g. infected cavity, abscess)
• Franchise: PHP 0 to PHP 5,000
• Plafond de remboursement: from PHP 5,500 to PHP 9,000 depending on the plan
• Exclusions courantes: prosthetics, cosmetic procedures, non-urgent treatments
• Impact sur le prix: 🔻 Low
• 💡 Expert tip: skip this coverage if you have good dental health and no history of dental emergencies during travel

5. Personal liability abroad – 🟠 Optional

• Description: covers property damage or bodily injury you may unintentionally cause to others
• Franchise: from PHP 0 to PHP 6,000
• Plafond de remboursement: up to PHP 240,000,000 depending on the plan
• Exclusions courantes: intentional damage, vehicle-related incidents, damages involving close family members
• Impact sur le prix: 🔺 High, especially with high coverage limits
• 💡 Expert tip: this is worth adding if you're staying with relatives or renting short-term accommodations like Airbnbs in Europe

6. Lost, stolen or delayed baggage – 🟡 Optional

• Description: compensation for loss, theft, or damage of personal belongings during your trip
• Franchise: around PHP 6,000
• Plafond de remboursement: from PHP 30,000 to PHP 60,000 depending on the policy – often excludes valuables and jewelry
• Exclusions courantes: valuables (jewelry, cash, official documents), unchecked or unattended bags, delays under 12 or 24 hours
• Impact sur le prix: 🔺 Medium to high, often included in premium plans or available as a paid add-on
• 💡 Expert tip: if luggage protection matters, avoid budget plans. Delays and loss risks are higher with stopovers at major hubs like Paris, Brussels, or Frankfurt.

7. Trip cancellation or interruption – 🟡 Optional

• Description: reimbursement of non-refundable travel expenses in case of cancellation for valid reasons (illness, death, unexpected work obligations)
• Franchise: from PHP 1,200 to PHP 3,500 depending on the policy (not always applied)
• Plafond de remboursement: from PHP 60,000 to PHP 300,000 per person, depending on the plan
• Exclusions courantes: cancellations without proof, known conditions, changes of mind, unconfirmed visa refusals
• Impact sur le prix: 🔺 Significant – can raise the premium by 15% to 30%
• 💡 Expert tip: especially useful for long-haul flights from the Philippines. Since flights and accommodation in the Schengen Area are expensive, getting reimbursed can really ease the stress of last-minute changes.

Warning

Some very low-cost insurance plans (less than PHP 600) offer no assistance and only minimal, unclear coverage. Always read the policy terms carefully before purchasing.

How to choose the right Schengen visa insurance?

Here are the key criteria you should keep in mind before choosing a Schengen visa insurance plan.

How much does Schengen visa insurance cost?

Factors that influence the price

Here are the main factors that affect the cost of a Schengen visa insurance policy:

• Trip duration: the longer your stay, the higher the premium, since the risk is covered over a longer period
• Traveler’s age: insurers often apply surcharges for travelers over 60 or 70, who are considered higher risk
• Level of coverage: a “basic” plan meeting only Schengen minimums will cost less than a comprehensive plan including baggage, liability, etc.
• Number of countries visited: some insurers may charge more if you visit countries outside the Schengen Area like the UK or Cyprus
• Country of residence: pricing may vary based on the traveler’s home country. Filipinos may face slightly higher premiums than travelers from Europe or North Africa
• Insurer and options: every insurer has its own pricing rules. Add-ons like trip cancellation or teleconsultation can raise the cost

Here are some examples of Schengen visa insurance prices:

* These prices are for reference only, as many variables affect the final premium.

How to pay less for your Schengen visa insurance?

Now that you have an idea of the typical pricing, here are some tips to help you lower the cost of your insurance without compromising essential coverage.

Expert tip

Don’t rely on your credit card insurance. While some premium cards, such as BDO Platinum or Metrobank World Mastercard, may offer travel coverage, these rarely meet the specific requirements for Schengen visa insurance. In most cases, the medical expense 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.