Ecuador requires a Schengen visa. Medical insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 is MANDATORY. Learn about requirements, prices, and how to obtain it.
⚠️ Important: The Basic Plan (USD 20,000) is not offered for travel to Europe. The Schengen area requires a minimum coverage of €30,000. We recommend the Standard, Essential Plus, or Premium plans.
## Mandatory Schengen Insurance for Ecuadorians in 2026
Unlike Colombia, Mexico, Peru, or Chile, **Ecuador DOES require a Schengen visa** to enter the European area. This means that **travel medical insurance is not optional**: it is one of the mandatory documents that the consulate reviews before approving your application. Without it, your visa will be automatically rejected, regardless of the rest of your file.
In this updated guide for 2026, we explain exactly what requirements your policy must meet, how much it costs, where to apply for a visa from Ecuador, and how the refund guarantee works if the consulate denies your application.
## Official Schengen Insurance Requirements for Ecuadorians
The 27 Schengen countries require your insurance to meet these 4 minimum conditions, without exception:
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Minimum medical coverage | **€30,000** (or equivalent in USD) |
| Geographical validity | The **27 Schengen countries** |
| Medical repatriation | **Mandatorily included** |
| Validity | Entire duration of the trip + margin |
If your policy does not meet any of these 4 points, **the consulate will automatically reject your visa**, even if you present flawless bank statements, invitation letters, and hotel reservations.
## Why Ecuadorian public insurance does not work in Europe
The IESS (Ecuadorian Social Security Institute) and private Ecuadorian insurance companies such as Saludsa, Salud S.A., Humana, BMI, or Confiamed are designed **exclusively for care within Ecuador**. None meet the 4 consular requirements for Schengen nor have agreements with European hospitals for direct payment. You need specific travel insurance that complies with the regulations.
## Real medical costs in Europe for Ecuadorians
| Medical service | Cost in Europe | Equivalent in USD |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency consultation | €200 – €500 | $216 – $540 |
| Urban ambulance | €800 – €2,000 | $864 – $2,160 |
| Hospitalization (1 night) | €1,500 – €4,000 | $1,620 – $4,320 |
| Emergency surgery | €5,000 – €30,000 | $5,400 – $32,400 |
| ICU per day | €3,000 – €6,000 | $3,240 – $6,480 |
| Medical repatriation to Ecuador | €10,000 – €50,000 | $10,800 – $54,000 |
> 💡 A 5-day hospitalization in Germany without insurance can cost more than the value of an apartment in Quito.
## Baraglo Schengen Visa Plan (meets all 4 requirements)
| Plan | Coverage | Daily price | Meets consulate |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Schengen Visa** | **USD $30,000** | **{{schengen_price}}/day** | ✅ YES |
| Basic | USD $20,000 | {{basic_price}}/day | ❌ No (insufficient coverage) |
| Standard | USD $35,000 | {{standard_price}}/day | ✅ YES |
| Essential Plus | USD $50,000 | {{essential_plus_price}}/day | ✅ YES |
| Premium | USD $100,000 | {{premium_price}}/day | ✅ YES |
**Recommendation:** If you only need to meet the consular minimum and your trip is standard tourism, the Schengen Visa plan is the most economical. If you plan a long stay, sports, or want coverage for cancellation, we recommend Essential Plus or Premium.
## Refund Guarantee if Your Visa is Rejected
If the consulate denies your Schengen visa, **we will refund 100% of the insurance value**. You only need to send us the official rejection letter from the consulate, and we will process the full refund within 5-7 business days. No fine print.
## Where to Apply for a Schengen Visa from Ecuador?
Each Schengen country has its own consulate or representation in Quito or Guayaquil. The most requested by Ecuadorians:
1. **Consulate of Spain** (Quito) — via BLS Spain Ecuador
2. **Consulate of France** (Quito) — via VFS Global
3. **Consulate of Italy** (Quito and Guayaquil) — direct appointments
4. **Consulate of Germany** (Quito) — via VFS Global
5. **Netherlands / Belgium** — via consular representations in Quito
**Basic rule:** you must apply for a visa to the country where you will spend the most days, or where your first Schengen entry will be if you spend similar times in several countries.
## Baraglo Schengen Visa Plan Coverage
- ✅ Medical coverage of USD $30,000 (meets consulate requirement)
- ✅ Medical repatriation to Ecuador
- ✅ Emergency hospitalization and surgery
- ✅ Emergency dental assistance
- ✅ Lost luggage
- ✅ 24/7 assistance in Spanish
- ✅ Digital certificate accepted by all European consulates
- ✅ Refund guarantee if your visa is rejected
## Most Popular European Destinations from Ecuador
1. **Spain** — Madrid and Barcelona, classic route with direct flights from Quito
2. **Italy** — Rome and Milan, strong cultural connection
3. **France** — Paris, aspirational destination
4. **Germany** — Berlin and Munich, tourism and studies
5. **Netherlands** — Amsterdam, hub for intra-European connections
## Frequently Asked Questions
**Does my private Ecuadorian insurance (Saludsa, Humana, BMI) work for a Schengen visa?** No. Ecuadorian private insurance does not meet the 4 specific consular requirements (€30,000 coverage with direct payment, all 27 countries, mandatory repatriation). You need specific travel insurance.
**How soon do I receive the certificate for the consulate?**
Issuance is **immediate**. After completing the payment, you receive the digital certificate in your email in less than 5 minutes. You present it printed or digitally to the consulate on the day of your appointment.
**Can I pay with an Ecuadorian card?**
Yes. We accept Visa and Mastercard issued in Ecuador (Pichincha, Pacífico, Guayaquil, Produbanco, etc.). The charge is in USD since Ecuador uses dollars as its official currency, with no additional conversion.
**What if the consulate asks for more coverage?**
Some countries like Germany or France may require higher coverage in specific cases (long stays, over 70 years old, study trips). If this happens, you can upgrade to a superior plan free of charge before submitting your visa.
**Does the insurance cover trip cancellation?**
The Schengen Visa plan does not include cancellation. If you want cancellation coverage due to illness or family emergency, we recommend the Standard, Essential Plus, or Premium plans.
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