Europe remains one of the most popular long-haul destinations for travellers from Thailand thanks to its historic cities, diverse cultures, and convenient borderless travel within the Schengen Area. But before you can start planning your itinerary, you’ll need to secure a Schengen visa, and one of the mandatory requirements is Schengen-approved travel insurance. Providers such as Roojai offer plans that meet Schengen visa requirements, making it easier to prepare your application.
In this article, we’ll cover what the insurance requirement really means, how it works, what it must cover, and how to choose a suitable plan from Thailand. You can also use this guide to prepare for your visa application and avoid common mistakes that may lead to rejections.
What is the Schengen Area and which countries are included?
The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have removed border controls between one another, allowing travellers to move freely. This makes it possible to fly into one member state, travel by train or car to another, and experience multiple destinations without additional immigration checkpoints.
As of 2025, the Schengen Area includes 29 countries:
EU Member States:
Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
Non-EU Member States:
Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland
Although Cyprus and Ireland are members of the European Union, they are not part of the Schengen Area. Travelers visiting these countries must follow separate visa application processes, as a Schengen visa does not grant entry.
Citizens of Schengen states do not need a visa or Schengen-specific travel insurance, as they are already covered by their national healthcare systems. Non-Schengen travellers, however, must obtain a visa and insurance. A single Schengen visa allows entry to all member countries, making multi-destination route planning significantly easier.
What is travel insurance for a Schengen visa?
Travel insurance for a Schengen visa is a specific type of policy designed to meet the mandatory health and emergency coverage required by Schengen embassies and consulates. Unlike standard travel insurance, which may vary widely between providers, Schengen-compliant insurance follows strict criteria set by European regulations.
The goal is to ensure that visitors have sufficient financial protection for unexpected medical expenses, hospitalisation, or medical repatriation during their trip. This is important because medical treatment in Europe can be expensive, and travellers are not covered by local healthcare systems.
Anyone applying for a Schengen visa from Thailand, including Thai passport holders or residents who require a visa to enter the Schengen Area, must provide proof of this insurance as part of the application.
Read more: The Difference Between Travel Insurance and Health Insurance
Schengen visa requirements you must know
Before diving into the insurance requirement, it helps to understand the broader Schengen visa checklist. Although requirements vary slightly between embassies, the core documents are similar:
- A passport with at least two blank pages and six months’ validity
- Completed visa application form
- Passport-sized photos that meet Schengen specifications
- Flight booking or travel itinerary
- Proof of accommodation (hotel bookings, invitation letter, rental confirmation)
- Evidence of financial means to cover the trip
- Travel insurance that meets Schengen standards
You must provide all of these during your visa appointment, along with any additional documents required for your trip purpose. Incomplete submissions are one of the most common reasons applications are delayed, so preparing everything upfront will save significant time.
Travel insurance requirements for Schengen visa applications
All Schengen member states follow the same insurance rules. To be accepted, your travel insurance must include:
Minimum medical coverage of €30,000
€30,000, or approximately THB 1,500,000, is the baseline requirement for emergency medical treatment, hospital care, and repatriation. Policies with lower coverage limits will be rejected.
Coverage for the entire duration of your stay
Your start date and end date on the insurance certificate must match your travel dates. If you’re visiting multiple countries within the Schengen Area, the coverage must apply to all travel days.
- Valid in all Schengen countries. The insurance must clearly state that coverage applies to the whole Schengen Area.
- Must include emergency medical, hospitalisation, and repatriation coverage. Repatriation includes returning you to Thailand for medical reasons or in the event of an unexpected situation.
- A downloadable or printed certificate for submission. The embassy requires a formal insurance certificate, and screenshots of your purchase confirmation are usually not accepted.
Ensuring your insurance certificate meets all requirements helps avoid delays and makes the visa process smoother.
How much travel insurance for a Schengen visa costs from Thailand
The cost of Schengen-compliant travel insurance varies depending on several factors, but most travellers from Thailand can expect it to be affordable, especially for short trips.
For travellers from Thailand, basic Schengen-compliant insurance generally costs:
- Short trips (5–10 days): approx. THB 200–1,000
- Two-week trips: approx. THB 700–1,500
- One-month trips: approx. THB 1,000–2,000+
Prices vary by insurer and by optional benefits included.
What affects the cost?
- Trip duration: The longer your journey, the more coverage you’ll need, which typically increases the overall cost.
- Age of the traveller: Many insurers adjust pricing based on age, with premiums often rising for older travellers.
- Pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing medical issues can influence eligibility or lead to higher premiums unless covered by a special waiver.
- Add-ons: Adding features like trip cancellation, adventure sports coverage, or baggage protection will raise the price.
- Multi-country itinerary: Visiting several Schengen countries usually doesn’t change the base cost, but coverage details can vary by policy. If your itinerary includes non-Schengen destinations, you may need a global plan, which is generally more expensive.
While price is important, the key is choosing a policy that meets all Schengen requirements and provides coverage you’re comfortable with throughout your trip.
Where to get travel insurance for a Schengen visa in Thailand
Travellers in Thailand can buy Schengen-compliant travel insurance from several sources, including local insurers, international providers, banks, and online comparison platforms. Among these, Roojai stands out as a convenient and reliable choice, especially for travellers who want a fast, digital, and transparent purchase experience.
Roojai offers travel insurance plans that meet Schengen visa requirements and are designed for Thailand residents. The purchase process is fully online, and you’ll receive your certificate immediately, ideal if you’ve already booked your visa appointment.
Benefits of buying Schengen-ready travel insurance from Roojai
- Instant online purchase — get covered in minutes without paperwork
- Immediate policy certificate — downloadable in English and ready to submit at your visa appointment
- Medical coverage that meets Schengen requirements — including emergency medical expenses, hospitalisation, and medical repatriation
- Flexible plans — choose the coverage that fits your travel style, from basic essentials to more comprehensive protection
- Coverage for common travel issues — such as trip cancellation, trip curtailment, lost or damaged luggage, flight delays, stolen passports, and more
- 24/7 emergency assistance — helpful when travelling across multiple European countries
- Trusted by travellers in Thailand — we are known for our steadfast customer support and easy claims process, as proven by our ratings
How to choose the right Schengen visa travel insurance
Choosing the right policy goes beyond simply meeting the visa requirement. While all Schengen-approved plans must provide €30,000 of medical coverage and be valid across all member countries, the level of protection you get can vary widely between insurers. A good policy should give you confidence during the visa process and during your trip.
Start by checking that the policy clearly states Schengen-wide validity and covers your entire travel period. From there, look at the benefits that matter most to your travel style. Many travellers from Thailand prefer a policy that includes protection for flight delays, lost baggage, or cancellations, especially when visiting multiple cities or taking connecting flights.
When choosing a plan, consider the following:
- Medical coverage beyond the minimum: While €30,000 is the requirement, higher limits offer more protection, especially in countries where healthcare is expensive.
- Trip cancellation or curtailment: Useful if sudden illness, emergencies, or unforeseen events force you to change plans.
- Lost, stolen, or damaged luggage: Helpful for multi-city European itineraries where baggage handling varies between airports.
- Flight delay or missed connections: Long-haul flights from Thailand often include stopovers, making this coverage valuable.
- Personal liability: Often overlooked but important in Europe, where liability rules can be strict.
- Adventure or activity cover: Consider this if you plan to ski, hike, or join tours in alpine regions or national parks.
It’s also helpful to look at how easy the insurer makes the purchase and claims process. Policies that provide an instant English-language certificate are ideal for visa appointments, and insurers with 24/7 assistance ensure help is available no matter which Schengen country you’re in.
If you want a simple experience with clear benefits, Roojai offers Schengen-ready travel insurance that includes flexible plans, digital purchase, fast policy certificates, and coverage for common travel issues. The documentation is provided instantly and in English, making it easy to prepare for your embassy appointment.
Final thoughts
Applying for a Schengen visa is much easier when you have the right documents prepared, and getting your travel insurance online is one of the simplest steps. Your policy certificate is delivered instantly in English, ready for your visa appointment.
With Roojai, you can get a quote without submitting contact details, choose coverage that fits your trip, and get a Schengen-compliant certificate in minutes. For more travel planning tips, insurance guides, and updates for travellers, follow Roojai on Facebook or add us on LINE (Official ID: @roojai).
