Schengen Travel Insurance for Canada Citizens

Canadians Traveling to Schengen Countries

Canadian citizens do not need a Schengen visa for short visits of up to 90 days within the Schengen area. However, if Canadians plan to live, work, study, or conduct business in Europe for an extended period, they must apply for a residence visa or national visa from the respective European country.

One of the mandatory documents for obtaining a long-term Europe residence permit is valid travel health insurance for Schengen countries with a minimum coverage of €30,000 (approximately $50,000 CAD). This policy must include emergency medical expenses, evacuation, and repatriation coverage valid for the entire duration of stay in Europe.

After purchasing adequate Europe travel insurance from Canada, travelers will receive a visa insurance confirmation letter (visa letter) by email. This document is required for visa application and proves that the traveler is covered for medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation throughout their stay in Europe.

Since healthcare in Europe is expensive and Canadian provincial insurance does not provide coverage abroad, it is highly recommended to buy the best travel insurance for Europe from Canada to stay financially protected and travel with peace of mind.

Is Travel Insurance Necessary for Canadians to Schengen Countries?

While travel insurance for Schengen countries is mandatory only for travelers who require a Schengen visa, it is still strongly recommended for Canadian citizens visiting Europe. The Schengen visa rules require a policy with a minimum of €30,000 (about $50,000 USD) in coverage for emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, and medical evacuation.

Even though Canadians can travel visa-free to Schengen countries for short stays, having Schengen travel insurance for Canadians ensures financial protection in case of unexpected medical emergencies, trip disruptions, or accidents while abroad.

Who Needs to Apply for Schengen Visa?

Before traveling to Schengen country, it is essential to purchase Schengen visa travel insurance to meet the visa requirements.
You need to apply for a Schengen visa:

• If you are not a citizen of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland
• If you plan to stay in Schengen country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism, business, or visiting family.

How Do I Apply for a Schengen Visa?

To apply for a Schengen Visa, follow these steps:

• Choose the correct visa based on your travel purpose (tourism, business, etc.).
• Fill out the Schengen visa application form.
• Gather required documents, including valid passport, travel insurance, proof of accommodation and financial means, flight reservation
• Book an appointment with the Schengen consulate or visa center.
• Submit your application, biometric data, and documents at the consulate.
• Pay the visa application fee
• Processing usually takes around 15 days.
• Pick up your approved visa from the consulate.

Which Is the Best Travel Medical Insurance for Canadians Visiting Europe?

Which Is the Best Trip Cancellation Insurance for Canadians Visiting Europe?

The best trip cancellation insurance for Canadians visiting Europe is the TrueNorth Trip Protection Plus plan. It offers comprehensive coverage, higher limits, and robust benefits to ensure peace of mind during your journey.

For travelers seeking a more budget-friendly option, the TrueNorth Trip Protection Lite plan provides essential coverage at a lower cost while still protecting Canadian travelers from unexpected trip cancellations.

Which Is the Best Annual Travel Medical Insurance for Canadians Visiting Europe?

The TrueNorth Annual Travel Medical Insurance plan is ideal for frequent Canadian travelers visiting Europe throughout the year. With a single comprehensive policy, this annual travel medical insurance for Canadians visiting Europe provides extensive medical coverage, emergency evacuation and repatriation with no limit, and 24/7 global travel assistance.

This plan removes the need to purchase separate coverage for each trip offering continuous protection, cost savings, and peace of mind whenever you travel to remote destinations like Europe.

Cheapest Travel Insurance for Canadians Visiting Europe

If you are looking for affordable Europe travel insurance from Canada, the best options are Patriot International Lite by International Medical Group and Travel Medical Global Basic from Seven Corners. These plans offer essential coverage at budget-friendly prices, ideal for Canadian travelers exploring extreme and remote destinations.

Best Travel Insurance for Canadians Visiting Europe

Planning a journey from Canada to Europe? Choosing the best travel insurance for Canadians traveling to Europe ensures peace of mind, financial protection, and coverage for medical emergencies, trip interruptions, and other unexpected events. Top recommended plans include:

• 🛡️ Patriot International Platinum by International Medical Group – comprehensive Canada to Europe travel medical insurance.
• 🛡️ Travel Medical Global Choice from Seven Corners – ideal for Canadian visitors insurance Europe with high coverage limits.
• 🛡️ Safe Travels International from Trawick International – flexible and reliable Europe travel insurance for Canadians.

These Canada travel insurance plans for Europe cover emergency medical expenses, hospitalizations, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and other travel risks. By selecting one of these top-rated plans, Canadian travelers to Europe can enjoy a safe and worry-free expedition with complete protection abroad.

What Are the Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Requirements?

Get Instant Schengen Visa Letter Required by European Consulates

Best travel insurance for Schengen Visa for Canadians

Schengen insurance cost ranges between $8 to $15 per week for a 25-year-old traveler with a $50,000 medical maximum and $0 deductible.
All the insurance plans listed below

• Meet Schengen visa requirements
• Are accepted by Schengen embassies/consulates worldwide
• Include a downloadable visa letter immediately after purchase

Insurance Plans	Provider Network	Cost	How to download Visa letter
Atlas International	No PPO	$8	WorldTrips insurance ID cards via Client Zone
Patriot International Lite	IPA Network	$10	IMG insurance ID cards from My IMG
Atlas Premium International	No PPO	$11	WorldTrips insurance ID cards via Client Zone
Travel Medical Global Choice	Wellabroad.com	$11	Seven Corners insurance ID cards via Client Zone
Safe Travels International		$15	Trawick International insurance ID cards via Client Zone.

Source: American Visitor Insurance ®

What Are the Common Schengen Travel Insurance Mistakes Leading to Visa Rejection?

Avoid these common errors that lead to Schengen visa rejections:

Coverage Below €30,000

• Schengen rules require minimum €30,000 medical coverage (approx. $50,000) (this includes emergency medical treatment & repatriation).
• Travel insurance for Europe policies with lower coverage than this €30,000 are automatically rejected.

Not Covering All Schengen Countries

• The travel insurance must be valid in all 29 Schengen states.
• Some travelers buy country-specific insurance (e.g., only for Germany), which is not accepted in the Schengen states consulates.

Traveler insurance Not Covering Entire Stay

• The Europe travel insurance policy must match the correct entry and exit dates.
• If your travel insurance for Europe ends even 1 day earlier than your return ticket, your Schengen visa application can be refused.

Buying Non-Schengen Compliant Plans

• Some cheap travel for Europe plans exclude repatriation (return of remains in case of death) or exclude pre-existing emergency treatment.
• Schengen visa officers check for these exclusions carefully.

Unrecognized / Non-Approved Insurance Providers

• Consulates prefer international insurance companies that are well recognized in the Schengen region.
• Unfamiliar or unapproved providers may cause rejection.

Submitting Fake or Cancelled Policies

• Some travelers submit “dummy” insurance and cancel it after printing.
• Consulates cross-check this data, and if invalid, the visa is denied and can even lead to a travel ban.

Mismatch Between Travel Dates & Insurance Dates

• Even a 1–2 day mismatch between flight booking and travel insurance validity can lead to rejection.
• It is recommended to add a buffer day before arrival and after departure.

Not Carrying Proof of Travel Insurance

• Sometimes applicants forget to attach the Schengen visa compliant Travel insurance certificate with the application.
• Only payment receipt is not enough—you need the official Schengen visa travel insurance confirmation letter.

What Does Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Cover?

• Satisfies Visa requirements: Schengen visa insurance satisfies consulate requirements.
• Medical evacuation: Emergency medical evacuation expenses to nearest available facility if needed.
• Health care expenses: Covers emergency medical expenses for accidental injury or illness.
• Repat of remains: Offers coverage for repatriation of remains expenses to home country in case of death.
• Pre-existing conditions: Travel insurance offers coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions.

Why Should I Buy Schengen Visa Insurance on American Visitor Insurance?

We serve as a trusted marketplace for Schengen travel insurance with over 20 years of experience, helping you easily compare top-rated plans that meet Schengen visa requirements.

• Side-by-Side Plan Comparison: With American Visitor Insurance, you can easily compare Schengen visa travel medical insurance plans, costs and benefits from top insurers - all in one place.
• Visa-Compliant & Comprehensive Protection: All plans meet Schengen visa requirements and include coverage for medical emergencies, hospitalization, accidents, repatriation, and unforeseen health issues abroad.
• Affordable & Transparent Pricing: Get the best price directly from the insurer — no hidden fees. Receive an instant quote and purchase your policy online quickly and hassle-free.
• Expert Support & Assistance: Our licensed customer support team is available 24/7 to
  • Guide you through plan selection and online applications
  • Help with policy renewals or extensions
  • Assist with cancellations if travel plans change
  • Support filing insurance claims
• Peace of Mind While Traveling: Enjoy your trip to the Schengen Area knowing you are protected with trusted insurance coverage.

Factors That Affect the Cost of the Best Travel Insurance to Europe

The cost of Europe travel health insurance depends on several important factors:

• Traveler’s age: Older travelers usually pay higher premiums for European travel insurance.
• Coverage amount: Plans with higher medical coverage limits (from $50,000 to $1,000,000) cost more.
• Deductible choice: A lower deductible increases the premium, while a higher deductible reduces it.
• Co-insurance percentage: Budget plans with higher co-insurance are cheaper but offer less coverage after claims.
• Insurance provider: Premiums vary by insurer — top underwriters include AIG, Nationwide, and Lloyd’s.

Types of Schengen Visa for Canadian Citizens

While Canadian citizens can visit Schengen countries visa-free for up to 90 days, foreign residents or Canadians planning long stays may require a Schengen visa. Below are the main types of Schengen visas based on travel purpose and duration:

Travel Health Insurance from Canada to Europe - FAQ's

How Do I Get a Certificate Showing I Have Travel Insurance When Applying for a Schengen Visa?

To get a certificate showing you have travel insurance when applying for a Schengen Visa, follow these steps:

• Choose a Travel Insurance Provider: Select a travel insurance policy on American Visitor Insurance that meets the Schengen visa requirements (coverage of at least €30,000 for medical emergencies, including repatriation).
• Buy the Insurance: Buy the policy on American Visitors Insurance online which provides Schengen-compliant travel insurance.
• Receive the Certificate: After purchasing, you will receive a travel insurance certificate, which includes details like the policy number, coverage dates, and coverage amounts.
• Download or Request the Certificate: You can download the certificate from the insurance provider. Ensure the certificate is issued in English or the official language of the country you’re applying to, and that it clearly meets the Schengen visa travel insurance requirements.

What Does Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa Usually Not Cover?

Travel health insurance for Schengen visa usually provides coverage for injury, sickness and unplanned medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains in case of death. However, there are certain situations and items that are not covered by Schengen Visa insurance. These include:

How Does Provincial Health Coverage Work for Canadian Snowbirds?

Canadian snowbirds need to understand that provincial health plans offer very limited protection once you are outside your home province or outside Canada.

What Happens If a Snowbird Has a Medical Emergency in the U.S.?

John (age 68) in Arizona, October 2025

• While golfing in Scottsdale, John experienced chest pain and was rushed to the nearest hospital. He was admitted for two days of testing and treatment. The total medical bill exceeded USD 36,000.
• Fortunately, John’s snowbird travel medical plan included direct billing with the hospital, so most charges were settled directly by the insurer. John only paid his $250 deductible. For the claim, he submitted the hospital admission records, cardiologist’s report, and discharge papers. The insurance company processed the claim in 18 days, and John was not responsible for any additional out-of-pocket costs.
• Lesson learned: Choosing a plan with direct billing and strong emergency coverage ensures quick treatment without the stress of handling large upfront medical expenses.

What Makes Snowbird Insurance Unique?

While a standard vacation is often brief, snowbirds will generally spend 3-6 months outside of Canada, which means:

• There will be greater exposure to medical risks.
• Claims are more likely because of age-related issues.
• Provincial health insurance coverage is limited — most provinces only cover a small portion of out-of-country expenses.
• Immigration and tax issues if you stay in the U.S. too long.

Why Buy Snowbird Travel Insurance from American Visitor Insurance?

American Visitor Insurance serves as a one-stop destination for Snowbird coverage. American Visitor Insurance partners with top-rated U.S. insurers including International Medical Group (IMG), Trawick International, and Global Underwriters we provide Canadians with the best Snowbird travel insurance options conveniently in one place.