€30,000 minimum cover for the Schengen health insurance — what it means in practice for a German visa
- Schengen lane: Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (up to 92 days) (Art. 15 EU Reg. 810/2009 · ≤ 92 days)
- D-visa bridge: Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) (national D-visa bridge · ≤ 2 years)
- Long-stay lane: Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) (long-stay residence proof · up to 5 years)
Three things the German embassy actually checks behind the €30,000 figure:
- 1Per case, not per entry: €30,000 is the maximum cover per insured medical event. A single contract counts for every emergency in the period. Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (up to 92 days) is calibrated for this rule.
- 2Repatriation to the home country: the certificate must explicitly include repatriation wording — a missing line here is one of the most common embassy refusals.
- 3Schengen-wide territorial scope: the policy must be valid in ALL Schengen states, not only Germany. Germany-only cards are typically refused at the appointment.
Schengen, D-visa or long-stay — which lane fits your appointment? 30-second tariff finder →
Inside: why a sub-€30,000 travel card fails the rule even when the rest of the wording is correct · the per-case vs. per-entry myth that costs visa applicants their appointment · how to spot a missing repatriation clause before the embassy officer does
Sources: EU Regulation 810/2009 · Auswärtiges Amt · BAMF · HanseMerkur Care Visa Protect AVB · HanseMerkur Care Economy AVB · HanseMerkur Care Expatriate AVB · Care Concept AG
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Need a Schengen-compliant certificate that meets the €30,000 rule? PDF in German + English by email in minutes.
€30,000 minimum cover — the seven rules the German consulate checks
Quick answer: "What does the €30,000 minimum cover for the Schengen health insurance mean in practice?" — These seven rules cover the wording and scope the German embassy verifies before stamping the visa file. All seven apply to every Schengen visa appointment.
- Minimum medical cover per case ≥ €30,000 (Art. 15 EU Reg. 810/2009 — the Schengen Visa Code)
- Cover applies per insured event, not per entry — a single contract counts for every emergency in the period
- Repatriation to the home country must be included — many embassy refusals trace back to this missing wording
- Territorial scope: ALL Schengen states, not Germany only — Germany-only certificates are typically refused
- Period covers the whole requested stay — start = embassy-recorded entry date, end ≥ requested stay end
- Insurer name, certificate number and the explicit cover amount must be visible on the PDF
- Certificate language: German + English is the safest combination for the German embassy file
Three lanes — Schengen entry, D-visa bridge, and long-stay residence permit
Lane 1 — Schengen visa (C-visa, ≤ 92 days): Care Visa Protect
EU Reg. 810/2009 compliant: minimum medical cover, repatriation, valid in all Schengen states. from €0.85/day (up to 92 days); the full age-rate table is shown in the price section below. PDF in German + English by email within minutes — re-issuable at no extra cost while the start date is still in the future.
Lane 2 — National D-visa bridge (>92 days, ≤ 2 years): Care Economy
Used as a bridge between embassy approval and statutory cover. from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years); exact daily rates depend on duration, entry age and deductible — shown in the official table below. Up to 2 years per contract. Insurer is HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG (Hamburg).
Lane 3 — Long-stay D-visa (residence permit, ≤ 5 years): Care Expatriate
Long-stay Incoming proof for residence-permit files when statutory cover is not yet available. from €58/month (up to 5 years); exact age and tier prices are shown in the official table below. Up to 5 years per contract; premium fixed at the entry age.
Avoid the mistakes that can delay your application
Schengen proof missing?
For short Schengen stays, choose insurance that meets the €30,000 minimum-coverage requirement.
Short stay or longer stay?
Care Visa Protect fits many 1–92 day Schengen visits; Care Economy may fit longer or more flexible stays.
Wrong insurance can cost time
Before your embassy appointment, check that the proof matches your visa type, dates and destination.
Multiple entries planned?
If you travel more than once, check the multiple-entry option and the annual day limit before applying.
Four common mistakes that fail the €30,000 Schengen check
Cover under €30,000
Some travel cards advertise medical cover below the €30,000 line — the embassy will refuse the file.
Germany-only scope
A national-only policy fails the Schengen test even if the medical cover is high.
Missing repatriation
Without explicit repatriation wording the certificate does not satisfy Art. 15 of EU Reg. 810/2009.
Quote instead of certificate
A non-binding quote is not a certificate — bring the FINAL PDF to the appointment.
€30,000 not visible on the certificate? The visa file may be refused on the spot
One wrong insurance choice can cost you money, time and your application deadline
A medical incident can become expensive fast — but the wrong certificate can also delay your visa, enrollment, residence permit or work start.
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€500–€1,500
Emergency doctor visit
One urgent doctor or emergency-room visit can already create a painful bill — before tests, medication or follow-up treatment are added.
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€2,000–€10,000+
Hospital treatment
If observation, surgery, overnight stay or specialist treatment is needed, costs can quickly move from hundreds to thousands of euros.
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€30,000 minimum
Schengen proof must be clear
Your certificate should clearly show the required coverage amount, Schengen validity, travel dates and repatriation benefits.
- Wrong or incomplete proof can delay your visa, enrollment or authority process.
- Cheap home-country policies may miss the exact coverage, dates or repatriation wording required.
- The cheapest policy can become expensive if it is the wrong proof for your situation.
Before you apply, check: coverage amount, validity dates, destination area and repatriation cover.
Embassy slot soon? Take out a €30,000-compliant certificate today
Why act before the embassy appointment
Schengen visa insurance is not just a formality. Your proof should clearly show the required coverage, dates, validity area and repatriation benefits.
Appointments can be limited
If the proof is missing or unsuitable, preparing corrected documents can cost valuable time.
PDF certificate after application
Care Visa Protect provides the certificate by email after successful online application.
€30,000 minimum coverage
Schengen insurance should show at least €30,000 coverage plus medical repatriation for the Schengen Area.
From €0.85/day
Care Visa Protect starts from €0.85/day, with a minimum premium of €8.50 per trip.
From quote to €30,000-compliant certificate — in 3 steps
10 minutes online. Cover amount, Schengen scope and repatriation pre-filled. PDF certificate in German + English by email within minutes — re-issuable at no extra cost while the start date is still in the future.
Schengen-ready in 3 steps
Proof of insurance for Schengen visa applications, including the €30,000 minimum-coverage requirement.
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Pick the right plan
Care Visa Protect for short Schengen stays · Care Economy for the Opportunity Card or longer visitor stays.
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Apply online
Enter passport, travel dates and destination. For Care Visa Protect, purchase before entry when required.
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Submit your proof
Receive the PDF certificate after successful online application and submit it with your visa or authority documents.
What visa applicants say about Care Visa Protect for the €30,000 Schengen rule
“My biggest worry was that the embassy wouldn't accept the insurance.
The proof was accepted immediately — no questions asked.
That saved me a lot of stress.”
Georges
Cameroon
“I needed proof of insurance urgently for my visa appointment.
The confirmation arrived within minutes by email.
Everything worked first time at the embassy.”
Olga
Russia
“Found the best solution and best service for health insurance for foreign visitors and guests in Germany.
Fast, simple and affordable.
Highly recommended!”
Michael
Germany
“The online sign-up was done in just a few minutes.
When I actually had to see a doctor, the billing went smoothly.
I was really covered — not just on paper.”
Yunhee
Australia
Now choose your plan
Recognised lanes — Schengen entry (primary), D-visa bridge, long-stay residence permit
Care Visa Protect
from only €0.85 / day (1–92 days possible)
For Schengen visas, tourists, family visits & business travel
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities quickly available (PDF)
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- Affordable coverage from €0.85/day (minimum premium applies)
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental emergency coverage
- For Germany, Austria, the EU/Schengen Area, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
- Ideal for short stays, family visits, tourists & business travelers
- Multiple-visa option: several trips up to a total of 92 days/year
- Must be purchased before entry
- Age-based rates: from €0.85/day up to age 64 · from €2.60/day for ages 65–74
- Coverage term: 1–92 days · entry age 0–74
Why Care Visa Protect?
For foreign visitors with a Schengen visa who need fast, affordable proof of insurance for an embassy, visa office or immigration authority — suitable for tourists, family visits and short business trips.
Why a 92-day coverage term?
Ideal for typical short stays and Schengen trips: enough coverage for a visit, vacation or business trip — without buying long-term insurance.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Travel Insurance AG, Hamburg
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental emergency & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €0.85 / day · coverage up to 92 days
→ Complete the application, receive your instant PDF, submit your proof
Care Economy
from only €30.00 / 30 days (coverage up to 2 years)
For guests, tourists, family visits, job seekers & the German Opportunity Card
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities within minutes
- Affordable coverage from €1.00 per day
- Doctor, hospital & dental emergency coverage
- Suitable for Schengen visas, the Opportunity Card & family visits
- Flexible coverage from 1 day up to 2 years
- Coverage in Germany, the EU & the Schengen Area
- 24/7 assistance + digital insurance card
- Age-based rates: from €1.00/day up to age 64 · from €2.95/day for ages 65–74
- Coverage term: 1 day to 2 years · entry age 0–74
- Reputable insurance carrier
Why Care Economy?
For anyone who needs fast, affordable proof of health insurance — ideal for guests, visitors, tourists, family visits or job seekers, with doctor/clinic coverage subject to the policy terms and benefits.
Why a 2-year coverage term?
More flexibility when plans are uncertain: if your visa, trip or stay is extended, you avoid last-minute renewal stress and reduce the risk of a coverage gap.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Insurance Group Hamburg – Advigon Insurance AG
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental emergency & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €30 / 30 days · up to 2 years possible
→ Complete the application, receive your instant PDF, submit your proof
Care Expatriate
from only €58.00 / month (coverage up to 5 years)
For foreign nationals with longer stays: expats, self-employed professionals, freelancers, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, retirees & seniors up to age 74
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities quickly available (PDF)
- Coverage up to 5 years – less renewal stress
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental treatment coverage
- For longer stays in Germany, Austria, the EU/Schengen Area, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
- Suitable for expats, self-employed professionals, freelancers, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, retirees & seniors
- More planning security for residence permits, projects or jobs
- 24/7 assistance + digital insurance card
- Age-based rates: from €58/month ages 13–40 · from €68 ages 41–60 · from €246 ages 61–74
- Coverage term: 3 months to 5 years · entry age 0–74
- Reputable insurance carrier
Why Care Expatriate?
For foreign nationals with longer stays who need solid health insurance and proof of coverage for authorities — suitable for expats, freelancers, self-employed professionals, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, retirees & seniors up to age 74.
Why a 5-year coverage term?
More planning security: less renewal stress and a lower risk of a coverage gap if your stay lasts longer.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Insurance Group Hamburg – Advigon Insurance AG
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental treatment & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €58 / month · coverage up to 5 years
→ Complete the application, receive your instant PDF, submit your proof
For the full overview of visa & residence topics see the visa & residence hub.
Full price tables — Care Visa Protect (Schengen), Care Economy (bridge), Care Expatriate (long-stay)
Quick answer: Summary CTAs show registry base prices only. Exact age, duration and deductible rates are shown in the official tables below.
Schengen lane — Care Visa Protect (≤ 92 days)
| Care Visa Protect | Daily premium | Multiple Visa (annual contract) |
|---|---|---|
| up to age 64 | €0.85/day | €110/year |
| 65 – 74 years | €2.60/day | €215/year |
Prices per person. Minimum premium €8.50 per trip. Maximum benefit €50,000 (well above the Schengen minimum of €30,000). Deductible €0. Must be purchased before travel. As of 2026.
D-visa bridge — Care Economy (1 day–2 years)
| Care Economy Duration |
Bestsellerup to 64
|
up to 64
|
Bestseller65+
|
65+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no deductible | with deductible | no deductible | with deductible | |
| up to 90 days | €1.18/day | €1.00/day | €3.48/day | €2.95/day |
| 91–180 days | €1.59/day | €1.35/day | €4.37/day | €3.70/day |
| 181–365 days | €2.30/day | €1.95/day | €5.84/day | €4.95/day |
| 366–730 days | €2.83/day | €2.40/day | €9.32/day | €7.90/day |
All prices per day/person in euros. Minimum premium €10 per person and term. Deductible is the share you pay yourself. Entry age 0–74. As of 2026.
Long-stay lane — Care Expatriate (residence permit, up to 5 years)
| Care Expatriateworldwide without USA, Canada and Mexico |
Basic
|
BestsellerComfort
|
Premium
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Deductible / yr
150,–
|
Deductible / yr
150,–
|
Deductible / yr
500,–
|
Deductible / yr
0,–
|
Deductible / yr
500,–
|
Deductible / yr
1.000,–
|
|
| Entry age:0–12 (€ / month) | 64,– | 104,– | 81,– | 191,– | 149,– | 117,– |
| Entry age:13–40 (€ / month) | 58,– | 84,– | 63,– | 181,– | 141,– | 109,– |
| Entry age:41–60 (€ / month) | 68,– | 103,– | 77,– | 256,– | 201,– | 156,– |
| Entry age:61–74 (€ / month) | 246,– | 322,– | 248,– | 432,– | 336,– | 263,– |
All prices per month/person in euros. Deductible applies per insurance year. As of 2026.
FAQ — €30,000 minimum cover for the Schengen health insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the €30,000 minimum cover for the Schengen health insurance mean in practice?
It is the minimum medical-emergency cover per insured event required by Art. 15 of EU Reg. 810/2009 (the Schengen Visa Code) — covering medical emergencies, hospital treatment and repatriation to the home country. It applies per insured event, not per entry. <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-visa-protect/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (up to 92 days)</a> meets the rule by default with Schengen-wide scope and repatriation included.
Is €30,000 of cover per entry or for the whole stay?
The €30,000 figure is the maximum cover per insured event (per medical emergency), not per entry. A single contract therefore counts for every emergency in the insured period — but each event is capped at the policy maximum. Most embassy-ready Schengen tariffs offer a higher cover (for example €50,000) which is still considered a single per-event ceiling.
Which tariff fits which German visa?
For Schengen C-visa (≤92 days) the focused lane is <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-visa-protect/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (up to 92 days)</a>. For the national D-visa bridge use <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years)</a>. For long-stay residence-permit proof use <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years)</a>. Not sure which lane fits? Run the <a href="/en/tariffinder-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">30-second tariff finder</a>.
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009