A trip to Europe is a dream for many of us. I have spent years on the road as a full-time traveler. I love the enchanted shores of Almeria where I grew up. I also love the far reaches of the globe. However, travel is not always easy. One delayed flight or a lost bag can ruin your plans. I have been there myself. I landed in Paris, but my bag did not. That is the moment when you either panic or breathe easy because you have the right protection. You need the Best Cheap Travel Insurance For Europe to stay safe.
Medical costs can add up fast if you do not have a policy. For example, my cousin had to have emergency surgery for appendiBudget Friendly Places to Visit in Europecitis while we were in Ireland. He was lucky to have insurance. The cost of his operation was covered. He would have paid thousands of dollars without it. I have seen many people learn this lesson the hard way. I want to help you avoid that.
Why You Need Coverage for the Schengen Area
If you want to visit Europe, you need to know about the Schengen Area. This area includes 26 countries like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. You must have insurance if you come from a country that requires a visa. Citizens of countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan must get a visa to enter.
The embassy in Dhaka has very strict rules for a tour plan. First of all, you must have medical insurance that is valid for your whole stay. It must cover all Schengen countries. On top of that, it must provide a schengen travel insurance 30,000 euro minimum for medical expenses. You also need repatriation coverage. This means the company pays to send you home if you are very sick or if you die.
Mature travelers often ask me if they need insurance if a visa is not mandatory for them. It is always a good idea. Life is full of surprises. You might get sick or have an accident. Without a policy, you will pay for every hospital visit or doctor test out of your own pocket. That can become a financial nightmare very fast. Therefore, I advise everyone to get coverage. It gives you peace of mind while you explore.
My Top Picks for Cheap European Travel Insurance
I have researched many options to find the perfect fit for different needs. To be fair, I simulate prices for a 30-year-old traveler on a two-week trip. Here are the ten best options I have found for your next adventure.
Heymondo: The Best Overall Choice
Heymondo is my favorite company. I have used them for five years for all my trips. They offer a great price-to-coverage ratio. First of all, they are the only company that pays your medical bills upfront. You do not have to worry about filing a claim and waiting for money to come back to you. You just contact them before you see a doctor, and they handle the bill.
I love their 24/7 medical chat app. It is like having a doctor in your pocket. You can get advice or directions to the nearest hospital at any time. Additionally, they cover electronic equipment like laptops and cameras. This is crucial for me because I travel with professional gear. If you want a deal, you can get a 5% discount through my link.
SafetyWing: The Best for Low Costs
SafetyWing offers low-cost Schengen travel insurance. It is one of the cheapest options on the market. You can pay about $60 per month for worldwide protection. This is a great choice if you are on a tight budget. However, there is a $250 deductible per claim. You must pay the first $250 of your medical costs before the company covers the rest.
They do not pay medical expenses upfront. You will need to pay the bill and ask for reimbursement later. Plus, their trip-related coverage is minimal. They focus mostly on health. But for the price, it is a very good deal for long-term travelers.
AXA Schengen Basic: Easy and Reliable
AXA is a name that every embassy knows and accepts. Their Basic plan is the cheapest travel insurance for schengen visa applicants. Prices start at only €4.90. It meets all the requirements for a visa, including the 30,000 euro medical limit.
The policy is simple and effective. You can buy it online and get your certificate in your email right away. If the authorities reject your visa, AXA will give you a full refund. This is a huge relief when you are dealing with a lot of paperwork.
Trawick International: Best for Seniors and CFAR
Trawick is an excellent choice if you are over the age of 65. They offer affordable plans for seniors with great medical benefits. Additionally, they have an option called “Cancel For Any Reason” or CFAR. This allows you to get your money back if you call the trip off for any reason at all.
You must buy the plan within seven days of your first trip deposit to get pre-existing condition coverage. Their medical limits are lower than Heymondo, but they are still a strong option. The Safe Travels Explorer plan is their most popular budget choice.
Travelex: Great for Families
Travelex provides a lot of value for the cost. Investopedia research says it is the best travel insurance company overall for 2026. One big plus for families is that kids under 17 are included for free on some plans. If you are paying for a big group, this saves a lot of money.
Their Essential plan is good for those who want to save money. It covers trip delays and lost bags well. Though the medical limits are a bit low, they are dependable. They assign a person to help you with your claim, which makes the process feel more personal.
Faye Travel Insurance: The Modern Option
Faye travel insurance feels different because it is built for the way we travel now. Everything runs through their app. If your flight is delayed at the airport, you will know before the board updates. I like that it is quick to set up and very flexible.
They process claims very fast. Most claims are done in under two days. The money goes straight into a digital wallet on your phone. If you are stuck in a hotel in Madrid, you can use that money right away for dinner. Peace of mind has never been so fast.
Allianz Travel Insurance: The Trusted Classic
Allianz travel insurance is a name that everyone knows. They have been around for a long time. There is comfort in that. Their coverage is solid, and they have a 24/7 emergency line to help you with legal issues or lost documents.
Like Travelex, they usually cover kids for free. Their pricing depends on your age and trip cost, not your destination. This can work in your favor if you visit many different countries. It is a safe and steady choice for a family trip.
IMG Global: Flexible Deductibles
IMG Global is another strong option for mature travelers. They have a plan called GlobeHopper Senior for people aged 65 and older. It is one of the few cheap plans that covers pre-existing conditions. I like that you can choose your own deductible. You can pick a $0 deductible or go up to $2,500 to save on the premium.
Their Travel Lite plan is also good for younger travelers. It has a $0 deductible and covers many reasons for trip cancellation. However, it can be more expensive than Heymondo for a single trip.
Yupwego: Best for Solo Travelers Under 40
If you are under 40 years old, Yupwego is hard to beat. Prices start at about €21 for a two-week solo trip. You get decent medical coverage of €80,000 in Europe. It also offers the best prices for couples.
The property damage cap is a bit low, but it covers the essentials. They even give a 5% discount if you use a special code. It is a simple way to stay safe without spending a lot.
InsureandGo: Good for UK Residents
InsureandGo is a popular choice for people living in the UK. Their Budget policy covers up to £5 million in medical expenses. That is a very high limit for a cheap plan. Plus, they offer an auto-renewal service for multi-trip policies.
You must have lived in the UK for at least six months to buy a plan. They cover many sports and leisure activities for free. This makes it a great choice if you like to hike or bike while you are in Europe.
What Should Your Policy Cover?
Choosing a plan is not just about the lowest price. You must make sure it includes the most important things. First of all, emergency medical coverage is a must. Healthcare in Europe is not cheap. You want the company to pay for hospital stays and doctor tests.
Evacuation and repatriation are also essential. If you need a helicopter to get you off a mountain, the cost is huge. A good policy will handle that for you. Additionally, look for baggage protection. I once lost all my clothes in Germany. My insurance paid for me to buy new things so I could enjoy my trip.
Trip delay coverage is another great benefit. Flights are often late. If you are stuck for many hours, the company can pay for your meals and a hotel. Plus, look for COVID-19 coverage. Most cheap plans now include this as standard.
My Personal Lessons from the Road
I have had several scary moments while traveling. These stories show why I never leave home without protection. Once, Dan and I were in the Peruvian Amazon. Our boat flipped over. All the passengers fell into the river. We were in the water for 15 minutes before we were rescued.
We lost a lot of gear. Two laptops, cameras, and lenses went into the water. We even lost our passports. Luckily, we had an annual policy from Heymondo. We used their 24/7 app to get help. They helped us connect with our embassy for new passports. On top of that, they gave us money to cover our lost equipment.
Another time, we were in Alaska. Dan had a drone hit a tree. It fell on me and cut my hand badly. There was a lot of blood, and we rushed to the hospital. We forgot to call the insurance company first, so we had to pay the $3,000 bill ourselves. However, Heymondo reimbursed us quickly after we sent the invoice. This is a good lesson. Always try to call your provider first if it is not a life-threatening emergency.
Tips for Saving Money on Insurance
You can find a great deal if you follow a few simple tips. First of all, buy your policy as soon as you book your trip. This gives you the most benefit for cancellation coverage. If you wait, something might happen before you even leave home.
Compare prices from different companies. Use a comparison site to see many options at once. Only buy what you need. If you do not have expensive bags, you do not need a high baggage limit. Additionally, check your credit card. Some cards offer free travel insurance if you use them to pay for your trip. But be careful. These policies often have many exclusions and low limits. They usually do not meet the strict rules for a Schengen visa.
If you travel more than two or three times a year, get an annual policy. This will save you a lot of money and time in the long run. You only have to buy one policy for the whole year. It is much more convenient than buying a new one for every short trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum travel insurance for Europe?
You must have a policy with at least 30,000 Euro in medical coverage to get a Schengen visa,,,. This plan must cover all countries in the Schengen Area,,. On top of that, it must include repatriation benefits for medical reasons or death,,.
What is good cheap travel insurance?
Heymondo is a great choice because they pay your medical bills directly to the hospital,,. SafetyWing is another low-cost option if you are on a strict budget,,. AXA also offers basic plans that start at a very low price,.
Which Schengen travel insurance is best?
Heymondo is the top choice for travelers in the Schengen Area,,. They offer high medical limits and do not have a deductible on many plans,. Plus, they provide a 24/7 medical chat app to help you quickly,.
Is it worth getting travel insurance for Europe?
It is definitely worth it for the peace of mind you get while away from home,,. A smart move. A small daily cost can save you thousands if you lose your bags or get sick,,,. However, one medical claim can cost much more than the price of a policy,.
How much should I expect to pay for travel insurance?
You might pay between two and seven dollars every day for basic coverage. Some plans for short trips cost under ten dollars per week. Gradually, you will see that mature travelers aged 61 to 70 often pay a median price of eighteen pounds for a single trip.
Which health insurance is best for international travel?
Heymondo provides excellent international health protection for most people,,. They handle payments upfront so you do not have to wait for money,. This is a huge benefit when you are in a foreign country,.
What is the cheapest way to get travel insurance?
First of all, you should compare different companies to find the lowest rate. Buy only the benefits you need and avoid expensive extras. Additionally, get your policy as soon as you book your trip to get the most value,.
Can VFS guarantee my visa approval?
On the contrary, VFS Global has no power over the decision of your visa application. The embassy or consulate makes the final choice after they review your documents,. VFS only helps with the paperwork and the process.
What is the most recommended travel insurance?
Heymondo is highly recommended for its excellent service and reasonable price,,. A wise choice. Travelex is another top pick because they offer strong coverage for families,. Many travelers prefer these names because of their good reputations,.
Which company is best for international travel insurance?
Heymondo is considered the best because they pay medical bills upfront,,. This makes your trip much less stressful if an emergency happens,,. They also have a helpful app that connects you to doctors,.
How much travel insurance do I need for Europe?
You need at least 30,000 Euro in medical coverage for a Schengen visa,,. Your plan must be valid for all 26 countries in the area,,. Plus, it must cover the entire time you are there,,.
What is not covered by travel insurance?
Most budget plans will not cover health issues you had before the trip,,,. Additionally, they often exclude accidents caused by drinking too much alcohol or doing extreme sports,,. Always read the fine print to know the exclusions.
How much does full travel insurance cost?
A full policy for a two-week trip can cost about six percent of your total trip cost. For example, a two-thousand-dollar trip might cost one hundred and twenty-seven dollars to insure. Prices vary based on your age and your destination,.
Can I buy trip insurance after booking?
Yes, you can buy a policy after you book your trip,,. At that time, you might have to wait a few days for the coverage to start. It is better to buy it right away to get cancellation benefits,.
Does credit card cover travel insurance?
Finally, some credit cards offer basic protection if you use them to pay for your travel costs,,. However, these policies are usually limited and might not cover everything. Embassies often do not accept credit card insurance for Schengen visas.
Later, after you have read these details, you will see how easy it is to stay safe.
Concluding words
The right protection makes all the difference when you travel through Europe. You can find many affordable plans that meet visa rules and keep you safe from high hospital costs,,,. Heymondo is a top choice because they pay medical bills upfront for you,.
Similarly, SafetyWing and AXA provide great value if you are on a budget,,. I have learned that a lack of insurance is a risk that is simply not worth the stress,,. Money well spent. Therefore, pick a plan that fits your needs and enjoy your European adventure,. Simple as that.
