If you're planning your anticipated trip to Europe, one of the most important questions is about travel insurance. It's not just a recommendation, but a strict requirement in many cases. Here we explain in detail…
If you're planning your anticipated trip to Europe, one of the most important questions is about travel insurance. It's not just a recommendation, but a strict requirement in many cases. Here we explain in detail what the mandatory minimum coverage is, which plans meet it, and why choosing superior protection is the smartest decision to enjoy your adventure on the Old Continent with complete peace of mind.
⚠️ Important: The Basic Plan (USD 20K) is not valid for travel to Europe/Schengen. The Schengen Agreement requires a minimum coverage of €30,000. For this destination, choose the Standard Plan (USD 35K) or higher.
Travel Insurance for Europe: What is the Minimum Coverage?
Minimum Coverage for Europe: An Indispensable Requirement
When planning a trip to Europe, it is essential to understand that travel insurance is not an optional extra, but an entry condition for a vast region of the continent known as the Schengen Area. This area, which promotes free movement, requires visitors from many countries to have a travel insurance policy with a minimum medical coverage of 30,000 euros (EUR). It is crucial to emphasize that this is not a suggestion, but a legal and migratory requirement that can be verified by an immigration officer at your entry point into Europe.
The legal basis for this requirement is found in the European Union Visa Code. According to Regulation (EC) No 810/2009, the minimum medical coverage for a Schengen visa is EUR 30,000, valid throughout the territory of the Member States. The objective of this regulation is clear and practical: to ensure that, in case you suffer a medical emergency during your stay, you do not become a financial burden on the public health systems of the country you are visiting. Medical costs in Europe can be extremely high for non-residents, and this policy ensures that you have the funds to cover any eventuality.
The Schengen Area is composed of 27 European countries, including popular destinations such as Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, and Greece. Your insurance must be valid in all these territories. The required coverage is not limited only to medical attention for accident or illness. It must explicitly include two critical components:
- Medical repatriation: If you suffer a serious accident or illness that prevents you from continuing your trip, the policy must cover the costs of your transfer back to your country of origin in a medicalized plane if necessary.
- Repatriation of remains: In the unfortunate event of death during the trip, the insurance must cover the expenses for transferring the remains back home.
Traveling without insurance that meets these conditions is not only an enormous financial risk, but it can result in the denial of a visa or, worse still, in inadmission at the destination airport, ruining your trip before it even begins.
Who Needs This Insurance and Why is it Different for Each Latin American?
The need for and the timing of presenting travel insurance for Europe varies significantly for Latin American citizens, depending on their nationality and the agreements their country has with the Schengen Area. It is essential that you identify which group you belong to in order to prepare your documentation correctly and avoid setbacks.
We can divide Latin travelers into two large groups:
1. Travelers who DO need a Schengen Visa to enter
This group includes citizens of countries that do not yet have a visa exemption agreement with the European Union. Currently, this applies mainly to travelers from Dominican Republic, Bolivia, and Ecuador. For them, the process is very clear and strict.
For citizens of the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Bolivia, it is mandatory to present a travel insurance policy with a minimum coverage of €30,000 in order to apply for a Schengen visa. This document is an obligatory part of the dossier submitted to the consulate or visa processing center. The policy must be valid for the entire period of the planned stay. If you do not present a valid travel insurance that meets all requirements (minimum coverage of €30,000, inclusion of repatriation, and validity throughout the Schengen Area), your visa application will be automatically denied. There is no room for negotiation on this point; it is an essential requirement of the process. If you are one of the travelers from the Dominican Republic or the other countries mentioned, securing your policy is the first step after buying your flights.
2. Travelers who are EXEMPT from Schengen Visa
This is the largest group of Latin American travelers, including citizens from countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Panama, among others. These travelers can enter the Schengen Area for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing to process a visa beforehand.
However, “visa-exempt” does not mean “exempt from requirements.” Although you do not need to present insurance for consular processing, the obligation to have it remains valid. Upon arrival at the first airport in the Schengen Area (for example, Madrid, Paris, Amsterdam, or Frankfurt), you will go through immigration control. The border officer has full authority to request a series of documents from you to prove that you meet the entry conditions. Among these requirements for traveling to Europe from Latin America are:
- Valid passport.
- Round-trip ticket.
- Hotel reservations or invitation letter.
- Proof of sufficient financial means for your stay.
- And, very importantly, a travel insurance policy with medical coverage.
The officer may ask you directly: “Do you have travel medical insurance?” If your answer is no, or if you cannot present a valid policy, the agent may interpret it as you not having the means to cover an emergency and, therefore, you could become a public charge. This is a legal reason to deny entry. Risking inadmission and being sent back on the next flight is a real possibility that would ruin your investment and your plans. Therefore, for visa-exempt travelers, insurance is not for the process, but for the moment of truth: immigration control.
Baraglo Plans that Meet (and Exceed) the Minimum for Europe
At Baraglo, we understand the specific needs of each Latin American traveler heading to Europe. That's why we have designed plans that not only comply with the mandatory minimum requirement of EUR 30,000 but also exceed it to offer you the peace of mind you truly deserve. It is important to remember that Baraglo's Basic Plan, with its USD 20,000 coverage, is not suitable for Europe as it does not meet the required minimum, so it should never be considered for this destination.
Below, we present a comparison table with the recommended plans for you to choose the one that best suits your trip and budget. We have included the Essential Plus Plan for those seeking extra protection.
| Feature |
Visa Schengen Plan |
Standard Plan |
Essential Plus Plan |
Premium Plan |
| Total Medical Coverage |
USD 30,000 |
USD 35,000 |
USD 50,000 |
USD 100,000 |
| Approx. Price per day |
from $2.99 USD |
from $4.99 USD |
from $5.29 USD |
from $8.99 USD |
| Meets Schengen Requirement (€30k) |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes (Exceeds minimum) |
✅ Yes (Extensive coverage) |
✅ Yes (Maximum coverage) |
| Medical and Funeral Repatriation |
Included |
Included |
Included |
Included |
| 24/7 Assistance in Spanish |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
| Lost Luggage |
Not included |
Up to USD 1,200 |
Up to USD 1,500 |
Up to USD 2,000 |
| Trip Cancellation |
Not included |
Not included |
Up to USD 1,000 |
Up to USD 2,000 |
Analysis of Baraglo plans for Europe:
- Visa Schengen Plan: This is the most economical option and is specifically designed for travelers from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Bolivia who need to meet the requirement for their visa application. It covers exactly what is necessary (USD 30,000, equivalent to about €28,000, meeting the threshold) at the lowest price. It is a perfect solution to ensure visa approval.
- Standard Plan: This is our main recommendation for the vast majority of travelers, especially for those exempt from a visa. With coverage of USD 35,000, you not only meet but comfortably exceed the minimum of €30,000 (approximately USD 32,500 at current exchange rates). This extra cushion better protects you against exchange rate fluctuations and gives you more leeway in an emergency. In addition, it already includes valuable benefits such as lost luggage coverage.
- Essential Plus and Premium Plans: These are the preferred choices for those who want to leave nothing to chance. With coverage of USD 50,000 and USD 100,000 respectively, they are ideal for long trips, families with children, seniors, or travelers who will practice sports. They include important additional benefits such as trip cancellation for multiple reasons, offering comprehensive protection.
The smart choice comes down to simple logic: while Baraglo's Visa Schengen Plan meets the requirement for $2.99 USD/day, the Standard Plan offers $35,000 USD in coverage (exceeding the minimum) for only $4.99 USD/day, a minimal difference for greater peace of mind. Investing a couple more dollars a day can mean the difference between basic assistance and robust protection on a continent where medical costs are high.
It is important to note that for travelers over 75 years of age, a 50% surcharge is applied to the policy price, guaranteeing the same quality of coverage adjusted to the risk. This detail is crucial for planning the travel budget of our seniors.
Beyond the Minimum: Essential Coverages in Your Europe Insurance
Meeting the minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 is fundamental for entering Europe, but is it truly enough to protect you in a serious emergency? The short answer is: sometimes not. While that amount may cover minor incidents, a serious medical event or a complicated accident can quickly exhaust that sum, leaving you with a considerable bill to pay out of your own pocket. Thinking that “it won't happen to me” is the most common and costly mistake a traveler can make.
The healthcare system in Europe is of high quality but is also expensive for non-residents. Let's take a practical example: an emergency appendicitis requiring surgery (appendectomy) and a couple of days of hospitalization can cost between 6,000 and 15,000 euros, depending on the country. A broken leg requiring surgical pins and rehabilitation can amount to a similar or higher figure. If we add to this that the incident occurs in a country with particularly high medical costs such as Switzerland or Norway, the €30,000 barrier can easily be exceeded.
Therefore, when choosing your insurance, beyond the global amount, you should look at the coverages of your travel insurance. These are the essential protections that your policy for Europe should include:
- Medical assistance for accident or non-pre-existing illness: This is the main coverage. It must include hospitalization expenses, medical fees, surgical interventions, medications, and therapies. Make sure it explicitly covers COVID-19.
- Medical repatriation: As mentioned, this is mandatory. It covers the cost of specialized medical transfer back to your country if your condition requires it. The cost of medical repatriation from Europe to a Latin American country can easily exceed EUR 20,000, consuming most of a basic coverage.
- Repatriation of remains: Also mandatory. It covers the complex and costly procedures and the transfer of the body in case of death.
- Hotel expenses for convalescence: If, after being discharged, you cannot travel immediately by medical order, this coverage pays for the extension of your stay in a hotel.
- Loss, theft, or delay of luggage: One of the biggest inconveniences on a trip. This coverage compensates you financially so you can buy essential items if your luggage is delayed or permanently lost.
- Legal assistance: If you are involved in a traffic accident or any legal problem, this coverage provides advice and covers attorney fees.
- Trip cancellation or interruption: Protects your investment. If you have to cancel your trip before departure due to a covered emergency (such as a serious illness of yours or a direct family member), it reimburses you for non-recoverable expenses.
Opting for a plan like the Standard (USD 35,000) or the Essential Plus (USD 50,000) from Baraglo is not a luxury; it is a prudent decision that gives you a real safety net. The daily price difference is minimal compared to the enormous difference in peace of mind and financial protection you get.
Hire Your Insurance for Europe in 3 Simple Steps
At Baraglo, we have simplified the contracting process as much as possible so that you can obtain your travel insurance for Europe in a matter of minutes, without complications and with total security. Forget about paperwork and long waits. Just follow these three simple steps:
-
Enter your travel details
Visit our homepage at Baraglo.com. In the quote tool, select your country of origin, your destination (you can write “Europe” or the main country you will visit), the exact departure and return dates, and the number of passengers. Click on “Quote” to view the available options.
-
Compare and choose your ideal plan
Next, you will see a screen with recommended plans that meet and exceed the minimum coverage for Europe. You can easily compare the coverages and prices of the Visa Schengen Plan, the Standard Plan, the Essential Plus, and the Premium. We recommend analyzing the additional benefits of the Standard Plan, which for a small difference offers you much more robust and complete protection, ideal for being covered against any unforeseen event.
-
Complete payment and receive your policy
Once you have chosen the perfect plan for you, complete the personal details of the travelers and proceed to make the payment through our secure gateway. Immediately after confirmation, you will receive your insurance policy and coverage certificate directly in your email. The document will come in PDF format, ready for you to print and take with you. It's that easy! You are now ready to travel to Europe with the protection and support of Baraglo.
Ready to travel protected to Europe? Don't leave your peace of mind to chance. Insuring your trip is the most important step. Quote and buy your insurance for Europe here in less than 5 minutes. Receive your policy instantly and travel with the confidence that only Baraglo gives you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum travel insurance coverage for Europe 30,000 euros or dollars?
The mandatory minimum coverage for the Schengen Area is 30,000 euros (EUR). It is crucial that your policy, even if it is in dollars, guarantees coverage equivalent to or greater than this amount. Our Standard and higher plans comfortably exceed it for your peace of mind.
Do I have to present the insurance if I am from a Schengen Visa-exempt country like Colombia or Mexico?
Yes, it is highly recommended to carry it printed. Although you do not need a visa to enter, the immigration officer at the European airport has the authority to request your insurance policy as an entry requirement to verify that you can cover medical expenses, thus avoiding a possible inadmission.
Which Baraglo plan is best for traveling to Europe?
For most Latin American travelers, we recommend our Standard Plan (USD 35,000), as it exceeds the minimum coverage and offers excellent protection at a very competitive price. If you apply for a visa from the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, or Bolivia, our Visa Schengen Plan (USD 30,000) is the perfect and most economical option to meet the consulate's requirement.
Does the insurance cover all countries in Europe?
Yes, Baraglo's travel insurance for Europe offers you coverage throughout the Schengen Area and, generally, in the rest of the European continent, including the United Kingdom. Always review your policy details to confirm full geographical coverage and ensure all your destinations are included.
Baraglo
