Schengen travel insurance provides a wholesome coverage. According to the terms and conditions of the policy, you may be covered for the following situations under Schengen travel insurance in India:

•        Hospitalization

In case the policyholder contracts an illness while on a trip to any of the Schengen countries, the cost of treatment may be borne by the travel insurance company.

•        Interruptions in the trip

There could be an unanticipated unrest or bad weather conditions due to which the trip gets interrupted. The cost of such interruptions that are beyond the control of the policyholder might be borne by the insurance company.

•        Loss or delay of baggage

Your baggage could get delayed or stolen while on the trip. Due to which you would have to buy the required things, your travel insurance company may reimburse you for such expenses. As per the terms and conditions of your insurer, you may be reimbursed for parts of the luggage you lost.

•        Missed connections

If you have a connecting flight to reach your destination and miss it due to a situation beyond your control, for example, flight delay, your insurer will help you get another flight in order to reach your destination.

•        Repatriation of remains

If a person suffers death while on the trip, the insurance company may bear the cost of transporting the remains to his/her homeland.

•        Emergency Evacuation

In case of an emergency situation like an attack or an outbreak of a disease you may need to leave the country on an immediate basis. In such a situation, your insurer may bear the cost of this evacuation.

•        Accidental death or injury

In case you get injured in an accident or if the accident leads to death, you/ your family may be given a compensation.

•        Disability

If an accident leads to partial or permanent disability, your travel insurance company may bear the cost of treatment and may pay you a compensation.

•        Travel delays due to weather

Your travel insurance company may help you with the bookings if your trip gets delayed due to bad weather conditions.

What Is Not Covered Under Schengen Travel Insurance?

Here is a list of situations that may not be covered under the policy:

•        Pre-existing diseases

•        Self-inflicted injuries

•        Mental disorder

•        Injuries due to using an intoxicating substance

•        Pregnancy or related complications

•        Mental or psychiatric disorders

•        Traveling for the purpose of availing a medical treatment.

•        Carelessness (towards self or belongings)

•        War or nuclear threat

•        Expenses incurred when the insurance policy is not active

•        Cost of spectacles, hearing aids, contact lens, and other external appliances

•        Cosmetic surgery unless required as a result of an accident

•        Loss or damage of passport as a result of the confiscation or detention by the police or any other legal authority

The Bottom Line

Buying a travel insurance for your trip to a Schengen country is mandatory. Understand the coverage well, this will help you during your trip. Also, make it a point to read through the fine print of your policy document.

The first question you might ask if you haven’t applied for a visa before, is “Why do I need dummy hotel bookings for visa applications?

There are several answers to this question.

First of all, let’s touch upon the main reason for the need for dummy hotel bookings for visa applications: On most embassy website you will find a list of requirements that you need for your visa application. On each of these requirement lists, you’ll find a few requirements that are the same for almost all countries:

       a hotel booking or reservation for your entire intended stay

       a flight reservation with return flight

It’s not exactly clear why the embassies require this information, because on the same page you will usually find a sentence stating “It is advised against purchasing any tickets before the visa application has been approved.” It can be argued that this might be an outdated requirement, dating from the time when visa agents would book and hold the ticket for you until you confirmed that you wanted it. The other argument is that the embassy and visa officer do need to know your intended travel dates so they can approve your visa accordingly. No matter what the reason behind this requirement though, it is still mandatory and still a requirement you need to oblige to.

In other words; the embassies want proof of a reservation of both your flights and hotels, but they don’t want you to actually pay for anything yet (in case your application is rejected).

It seems straight forward enough, but the problems are;

where can you get dummy hotel bookings for visa applications? Before creating Schengen visa flight reservation, we were wondering the exact same. Many hotel booking websites will allow you to book a room without paying for it first, but this does not apply to all, and in addition, there is the added stress of having to remember to cancel a bunch of different reservations. This is particularly stressful for applications like the Schengen Tourist Visa, where you will have to show a big itinerary of booked hotels for long trips in different cities.

Booking up to 30 hotels in a row, making sure they all have a no fee cancellation policy, and then remembering to cancel all of them – that would give even the most seasoned secretary headache from! This also means having to entering your credit card information online, something that’s not always risk free and many travellers don’t feel comfortable giving out their credit card information.

None of these options are great, and travellers all over the world continuously end up wondering how to get the documents they need for their visa applications.

Schengen Visa Requirements and Application Guidelines for the UK Residents

Although the United Kingdom is not a member of the Schengen Area, British citizens can travel across Europe visa-free for a maximum of 90 days. Also, from 9 June 2014, all British Overseas Territories citizens (BOTCs), British Overseas citizens (BOCs), British Protected Persons (BPPs), and British Subjects (BS) are allowed to travel visa free to the EU Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days.

Who can apply for a Schengen visa in the UK?

To apply for a Schengen visa from the UK, your UK residence permit must be valid for at least another three more months beyond the date you plan to leave the Schengen Area. If this condition is not fulfilled, the Consulate where you lodge your Schengen visa application will reject your application immediately.

Non-residents such as travellers and tourists currently on a visa in the UK, cannot file their visa application at the Schengen embassies in the United Kingdom. Instead, they should apply for a Schengen visa at the appropriate Schengen embassy in their home country.

Use the Schengen visa eligibility checker tool to find out if you qualify to apply for a Schengen visa from the UK.

If you have a 3-month UK visa you can extend it for three more months in order to be eligible to apply for a Schengen visa from within the UK. You must apply for an extension before your visa expires and while you’re still in the UK. Find out more on how to extend your UK visa.

Please, note that if you are not a resident in the United Kingdom you should apply at the Embassy/Consulate in your country of residence.

Visa application documents and requirements for the UK residents

All Schengen states are represented in the UK by Consulates and Embassies and they might have specific requirements for applicants. However, there are common requirements for each country and visa type.

The following list of documents are required in order to obtain a Schengen visa in the UK:

•        A valid passport or Travel document. Please make sure:

o        Your passport has been issued within the previous 10 years,

o        Your passport has 2 full blank pages, one for the visa stamp and an additional spare page,

o        Your passport should be valid for at least three (3) months after the date you exit the Schengen Area.

•        A valid UK residence permit or other form of Identity Card. The UK residency permit must be endorsed in the actual passport (or on a new biometric ID card)

•        One application form filled out completely and signed by the applicant.

•        One photo, which must be glued on the application form. Applications with stapled photographs will be rejected. The photo must also comply with the other photo requirements and specifications

•        A cover letter explaining the purpose of the visit to the Schengen area

•        Proof of travel arrangements: Round trip flight/travel reservations or other proof of intended transport and complete itinerary (if several Schengen States will be visited or if the trip covers several Schengen States and non-Schengen countries).

•        Travel Insurance stating that you are covered in case of a medical emergency and repatriation in the Schengen Area (minimum coverage of € 30.000). The Insurance policy can easily be purchased online from Europ Assistance or AXA Schengen.

•        Hotel reservations or proof of participation in group travel.

•        A recent statement of UK current account or travelers checks showing funds of a minimum of £55 per person per day spent in the Schengen area. Photocopies of the original documents also to be submitted. Documents should not be more than one month old. Find more information about proofing financial sufficiency when applying for a Schengen visa.

For UK employees:

•        Reference letter of employment in the United Kingdom confirming that specifies:

o        Salary

o        Hire date

o        Position

o        Dates of vacation

If the applicant is employed for less than 3 months, then a letter from their employer should clearly state when they started work.

For self-employed:

•        A recent letter (less than 3 months old) that specifies:

o        Professional activity

o        Starting date

o        Business registration

o        Revenues from their solicitor or Accountant or Bank Manager or Local Chamber of Commerce

o        VAT certificate

For foreign students in UK:

•        An official recent (less than 3 months old) letter from their school, college or university within the UK, that state:

o        the type of studies

o        Details of the course

o        Attendance record.

For retirees:

•        Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If unemployed and married to a UK citizen:

•        A recent (less than 3 months old) Confirmation of Employment letter from their spouse’s employer that states:

o        Position held within the company

o        Starting date

•        Spouse’s valid passport

•        An officially translated marriage certificate. The translation can be in English or the official language of the Embassy of the country where the marriage took place or by the Legalization Bureau of the Foreign Office in UK

o        If the Marriage Certificate was issued outside the European Union, it must be stamped by the Foreign Office of the issuing country, or its Embassy in the United Kingdom.

When vising Schengen area, travellers should be able to handle and financially cover medical services in case of an accident, injury or any other sudden event. To take care of unexpected problems related to expense that appear while travelling, you should have a travel insurance to help with financial support. If you have a Travel Insurance, you will be comfortable to continue your travel journey without worries. It is also an important required document for applying a Schengen visa.

Schengen Visa Insurance Requirements

Your Medical insurance for Schengen visa must meet the following criteria:

•  Minimum coverage of at least 30,000 EUR (equivalent to 34,000 USD).

•  It should cover all member states of the Schengen Area.

•  Cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent health attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death.

Having a travel insurance is very helpful when you traveling to Europe, however, not everyone needs to have it. It is just required for people who want to apply for a Schengen visa.

Foreigner who travel to Europe with visa free travel to Schengen zone can get their preferred travel insurance if they want, it is highly recommend to have it but not a requirement.

Who Must Purchase Schengen Travel Insurance for Europe?

Anyone travelling temporarily to Europe from a country that is subject to visa requirements, be it an individual visitors or group visitors, tourists, or business travellers. Travel Visa Insurance is a must when applying for a Schengen Visa.

Who Provides Schengen Travel Insurance?

Usually, travellers purchase an individual Schengen travel insurance policy for the days planned to spend in Europe at the rightful insurance provider. Make sure your company you choose is licensed and accepted in the Schengen country you will travel to. You can buy Schengen Visa Insurance from Europe Assistance or AXA. Both companies are accepted by European Embassies and Consulates worldwide. They will support you to cancel insurance without fee if your visa has been rejected.

For more information, please visit: https://www.schengenvisaitinerary.com/

In the list of supporting documents for Schengen Visa Application is a Proof of Accommodation as well as Flight Reservation. The diplomatic office of the relevant Schengen country has to see if you have an agreed or prearranged place to stay for the duration of your visit in the destined country.

The Embassy/Consulate does that through the following recognized forms:

•        An Evidence of a Place to Stay, such as Hotel Booking or Reservation,

•        An Invitation from The Host with a Copy of His Passport (proof of sponsorship),

•        An evidence of a pre-paid tour with details of your payment to the tour operator

Arisen by the Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of The European Parliament And of The Council of 13 July 2009, establishing a Community Code on Visas known as “Visa Code”, Proof of Accommodation is a rule of the visa application procedure that each Schengen country ought to apply to their foreign visa seekers.

As such, in the Article 14 (1) the “Visa Code” stipulates the following:

“When applying for a uniform visa, the applicant shall present:

•        Documents indicating the purpose of the journey;

•        Documents in relation to accommodation, or proof of sufficient means to cover his accommodation;”

While in the 4th section of the same article the “Visa Code” specifies:

“Member States may require applicants to present a proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation by completing a form drawn up by each Member State. That form shall indicate in particular:

•        Whether its purpose is proof of sponsorship and/or of accommodation;

•        Whether the host is an individual, a company or an organisation;

•        The host’s identity and contact details;

•        The invited applicant(s);

•        The address of the accommodation;”

On the other hand, the Article 21(5) about verification of entry conditions and risk assessment, requires:

“The means of subsistence for the intended stay shall be assessed in accordance with the duration and the purpose of the stay and by reference to average prices in the Member State(s) concerned for board and lodging in budget accommodation, multiplied by the number of days stayed, on the basis of the reference amounts set by the Member States in accordance with Article 34(1)(c) of the Schengen Borders Code. Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation may also constitute evidence of sufficient means of subsistence.”

When traveling, it is essential to get the appropriate level of cover in the event of accident or medical emergency. However, if you want to enter Europe, purchasing travel insurance for Schengen Visa is mandatory.

According to the Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009, your policy should cover the following:

• Medical emergencies, including sickness;
• Repatriation of remains in the event of death;
• Emergency evacuation;
• Accidental injuries;
• Return of a minor;
• Overseas funeral expenses.

It is worth noting that, generally, travel insurances do not cover pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes or asthma. In these cases, it is advisable to speak to your doctor and to choose a policy that can suit you the best.

If you want to enjoy your journey without worries, you can purchase a Europe travel insurance policy. These packages are designed for Schengen Visa travelers, and usually, also cover the following:

•  Trip cancellation or interruption;
• Lost, stolen or damaged baggage;
• Hijacking;
• Delayed baggage;
• Flight connection missed due to weather or to airline schedule crash;
• Pregnancy-related expenses, if you travel during your first trimester.

If you are planning to engage in risky activities or to enter an endangered country, you may need to purchase a dedicated policy.

There are other situations that will necessitate you to provide additional documents and meet particular thresholds in the process of getting a Schengen visa as an Indian national. These include the following;

1.       If you are looking for an airport transit or transit visa. This applies when you are making a stopover on a Schengen airport or state. For this purpose, you will need to provide the visa of your final country you are intending to travel to if it does not fall in the Schengen bloc. A plane ticket will also be needed.

2.       If you are visiting friends and relatives that are residents in the Schengen country, you should provide the formal invitation by the friend or relative. If the friend or relative is to cater for the finances, they should sign the official affidavit of support.

3.       If you are traveling for business related activities, a letter of invitation from the partner business should also be provided.

In order to have a convenient processing of Schengen visa for Indian passport holders, the application should be made at least 15 calendar days before the intended date of travel. The correct visa fees should be paid promptly and appointments honored on time. The applicant should also make sure that the application goes to the right consulate or embassy if they require entry into more than one Schengen states.

WHERE TO GO FOR SCHENGEN VISA IN INDIA

You need to be aware of the right embassy or consulate to visit in the country in order to apply for your Schengen visa in India. There are two options for the right consulate for the exercise. These are;

•        The embassy of the country that you wish to make the initial or the first entry into the Schengen visa area. This is the country in which you will step into first.

•        The embassy of the country in which you plan to spend the greatest time of your travel. This is the embassy of the country where your main purpose of travel will be.

The two options above should be captured by the documents that you provide in your application process. The itinerary should clearly indicate and confirm your reasons for the choice of the embassy that you make. Failure to do this may result to your application being returned to be submitted to the right competent Schengen visa embassy in India. You can access all the Schengen embassies and consulates in India. It is also good to engage Schengen Flight Reservation Visa to get your visa documentation.

As you can already begin to imagine, forming part of the Schengen area as a host of benefits.

The benefits of a Schengen visa can be as simple as travelling from Germany to Luxembourg without having to go through passport control each time you cross the border.

Or, more complex things like moving goods and trades across borders.

The Schengen area has also reduced the time it takes to move goods across Europe.

In the past, it could take hours for trucks to cross certain borders; now, they may cross the border completely unnoticed.

This makes it much easier, quicker, and cheaper to move goods around Europe.

It can also be a step further as travelling across Europe, by which you will be entering several countries without any questions asked.

Therefore, one of the main advantages of Schengen Visa is that it saves you time. A lot of time.

For example: if you have relatives who live in a Schengen country and you intend to visit them every couple of months, this would be an issue if you do not reside in a Schengen country or have a valid visa.

This will also interfere if you conduct business internationally and need to travel regularly.

Another Schengen Visa benefit is that you will not need to go knocking on embassy or consulate doors each time you plan to leave the country.

This can be particularly stressful for those who come from a country that might not be favourably viewed.

One of the countries who reaps the benefits of the European Schengen visa is Malta. We will discuss further the commonly asked question, ‘Is Malta a Schengen country?’.

Malta also happens to be one of the European countries that offers citizenship through investment which makes it the ideal place to apply for a Schengen visa and a more flexible passport.

In order to successfully make an application for a Schengen visa as an Indian passport holder and citizen from within India, you must be conversant with the process of acquiring one, the requirements that go with the process and the fees charged for the Schengen visa. This article will cover all there is in the process of applying for a Schengen visa as an Indian citizen.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR SCHENGEN VISA IN INDIA?

Any Indian citizen and citizens of other countries legally living in India can apply for a Schengen visa in India. Indians living in other countries but legally present in the country may also apply for a Schengen visa in India if they can provide a competent reason why they cannot do in from the primary countries of residence.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR INDIAN PASSPORT HOLDERS

There are many documents that are supposed to be provided to the Schengen visa issuing office in the embassy of a Schengen member country in India. The documents should be provided in full and within the period required for the process to begin. These documents are as follows;

1.       Download and fill the Schengen visa application form. This application form should be dully filled and the details provided in sincerity. If you so wish, you can fill the application form through electronic means before downloading and printing a hard copy of the same.

2.       Attach two passport size photos. These passport size photos should capture the whole face and be recently taken. The photos should be taken against a light clear background in the most professional manner. The photos should clearly show the face of the applicant from the chin to the top of the head. Additionally, the photo should be of high quality in order to allow for easy reproduction.

3.       Provide your government-issued travel passport together with all or any of your previously issued visa copies. The passport must have a validity of at least three months from the date of your travel from the last Schengen visa bloc country. Additionally, you should make sure that your travel passport has at least two blank pages where the visa may be attached once issued.

4.       Write and attach a personal cover letter. This should be a clear statement indicating your reasons for the visit and the itinerary you intend to take. It should be as elaborate as possible with clear steps and explanations.

5.       Take travel insurance: You should secure and provide proof of travel insurance for Schengen visa for Indian passport holders. This can be done on the internet by visiting credible travel insurance providers in India. For a travel insurance agency or company to qualify for this purpose, it should be able to provide medical cover of at least 30,000 Euros together with giving repatriation (evacuation) coverage.

6.       Provide flight reservation: You should provide a clear flight reservation itinerary with dates, flight numbers, with specific times of entry into and exits from Schengen state or states. These should be clear and as elaborate as possible. You should also make sure that the details captured here are in line with part of what is on the cover statement provided.

7.       Provide accommodation: You should provide proof of reserved accommodation for the entire period that you intend to stay in the Schengen country or countries. The accommodation details provided should be of reputable places.

8.       Provide civil documents depending on your travel circumstances. These civil documents may include marriage certificates, death certificates of the dead spouse, birth certificates of children, and or any other documents that may be needed (for example affidavits) in case there is an issue that calls for such.

9.       Documents showing proof of financial capability that can cater for the period of stay in the Schengen country or countries. This is to ensure that you will be financially capable of supporting your stay in the country or countries you intend to visit. (these documents are usually in form of bank statements for the last six months).

There are other documents that you should provide depending on your personal circumstances and the reasons for your travel. These documents are based on the following criteria;

•        If you are in formal employment, you should also provide your employment contract, permission of leave from the employer, your current statements from the bank showing not less than six months (remember that online bank statements are not recognized here), and your Income Tax Return or your certificate of Income Tax deducted from your salary.

•        If you are in self-employment, you should attach a copy of your Indian business license. Additionally, you should ensure that you have provided your business bank statements for the last six months to show your business financial health. You should also provide your business Income Tax Return.

•        In case you are already retired and had been in a formal employment, you should provide your pension statements for the last six months.

•        If you are traveling from India to Schengen country as a student, you should provide proof of enrollment in a recognized institution, a letter of acceptance and a no objection letter from the educational institution.

•        For all categories of persons, and if applicable, you should provide proof of income that is generated by a property that you own by providing bank statements for the last six months. This property may be anything that provides regular income such as rental houses and apartments.

Even though the UK is an EU state member, it is not part of the Schengen Area. In other words, the UK operates the Common Travel Area border control with other EU and Schengen member countries.

British citizen can enter and remain in the Schengen Area without applying for a visa. However, if you are a UK resident but not an EU citizen, you may need to apply for a Schengen Visa. Subsequently, you will need travel insurance.

To be eligible, you must reside in the UK, Northern Ireland, Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man. You also need to be registered with a GP.

If you are in the UK for working or studying purposes, but you are not a permanent resident, you need to purchase your policy from your home country.

Need help with your Schengen Visa insurance?

Nowadays, travel insurance is a must for most travelers, who wish to feel safe in case of unexpected circumstances that may arise during one’s trip. Unforeseen events, such as sickness, medical emergencies, and even lost luggage, can ruin your trip.

Whether your reason for travelling, to enter the Schengen Area you must purchase a travel insurance policy. This is also one of the mandatory requirements to submit your application. However, to be eligible, your plan must meet specific criteria.

If you want to plan your trip to Europe less stressfully, one of our advisers will be happy to help you with your Schengen Visa application.

As part of our bespoke service, we can advise you on the best travel insurance for Schengen Visa for your needs. Your immigration expert will also prepare the additional support documentation that you will need for your application.

Get in touch today to learn more about our services are Flight Itinerary, hotel booking, and Travel Insurance to start planning your perfect trip.

For more information, please visit: https://www.schengenvisaitinerary.com/