Travel insurance for a Schengen visa from Pakistan

The three checks

Amount. At least EUR 30,000 of medical cover. A policy denominated in rupees or dollars needs to convert to at least that figure and should state the euro equivalent on the certificate.

Territory. The certificate must name the Schengen area, not just the country you are visiting. A policy that says "Greece" alone gets questioned at the counter even when the underlying cover is area-wide. Ask the insurer for wording that names the area.

Dates. Cover has to run from your departure to your return, inclusive. A policy ending on the return date rather than the day after is a frequent and avoidable problem when the flight lands after midnight.

Repatriation

The cover must include emergency medical repatriation and repatriation of remains. This is an explicit requirement and a policy without it fails regardless of the headline amount.

Buying it

Several Pakistani insurers issue Schengen-compliant policies and will provide the certificate in English immediately. Buy after the appointment is confirmed but before the appointment date, so the dates on the certificate match the travel dates on the form.

If you are refused

Most travel insurance policies bought for a visa application are refundable or amendable if the visa is refused, but only if you ask within a window. Check that before buying rather than after.

Questions