“Do I need travel insurance for the Schengen area in Europe?” It seems like a basic question, but it’s hard to find a straightforward answer.

Here’s the main thing to know: If you’re an American traveler with a U.S. passport, you’re not required to have travel insurance for stays up to 90 days in the Schengen area.

Confusion sometime arises because Schengen travel insurance is required for visa-holders. But American travelers are visa-exempt, which means they’re exempt from the travel insurance requirement too.

Of course, travel insurance is always a good idea for travel to Europe—even if it’s not mandatory. Get a quote for travel protection, and find answers to all your Schengen area travel questions below.

What is the Schengen area?

The Schengen area, or Schengen zone, refers to the 29+ European countries that allow free passage over their common borders. These countries use the EES digital entry system to collect biometric data, such as facial images and fingerprints, and access your travel history.

For Americans, once you enter Europe, you can easily travel within the Schengen Area without repeatedly passing through border control.

As of 2026, there are 29 countries in the Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. The microstates of Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, and Vatican City also participate.¹

Is Schengen visa travel insurance required for Europe?

One of the requirements for getting a visa to enter the Schengen area is having travel insurance. A Schengen travel insurance plan must include a minimum of €30,000 in coverage for emergency medical expenses, as well as medical repatriation coverage for expenses related to the traveler’s death.²

Some insurance companies may insist that you need a Schengen policy for your trip to Europe. But remember: Americans are visa-exempt, and so you are not required to buy this insurance.

Do I need a visa for the Schengen area?

Not if you’re an American staying less than 90 days. The United States is one of the countries that has a visa waiver agreement with Schengen countries in the EU. Passport-holding U.S. citizens can travel there visa-free, for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.³

Starting in late 2026, visa-exempt travelers will need to get an ETIAS authorization and pay a small fee before entering the Schengen area. (More on that below.)

How long can Americans stay in the Schengen area?

You can stay up to 90 days in the Schengen area without a visa during any 180-day period. After the 90 days is up, you must wait another 90 days before applying to re-enter the Schengen area. 

If you want to stay longer than 90 days for work, study, travel, or living, you must apply for a long-stay visa or residency permit.⁴

How can Americans stay longer than 90 days in the Schengen area?

If you’re planning a long trip to Europe—whether to see family, study abroad, travel for business, or just be a tourist—you’ll need a D-type (national/extended stay) visa or residency permit.

To get this visa or residence permit, you’ll have to apply months in advance. Some countries require you to apply through the embassy or consulate. Others use third-party Visa Application Centers. Travel insurance may be required for these longer stays. Entry requirements can change, so contact the embassy with any questions. You can also contact your Allianz Partners concierge for travel planning help.

Another way to stay longer than 90 days in Europe: You can divide your time between Schengen-area countries and non-Schengen countries, as long as you adhere to the requirements for entry/exit for American travelers. This means leaving the Schengen area once the three months is up, spending at least 90 days in another country, and then returning.

Don’t break the rules! If you stay too long in the Schengen area, you may be detained at the border and/or get flagged by border control, so you can’t come back to Europe without a visa.⁵

Do U.S. citizens need ETIAS?

ETIAS is a travel authorization that requires overseas visitors, including Americans, to register before they arrive in Europe. This requirement is scheduled to begin in 2027.

Registering with ETIAS isn’t hard. You can do it online or on the official mobile app by submitting some information and paying a small fee. While most ETIAS applications are processed in just minutes, some may take up to 30 days. So it’s smart to register in advance.

If it’s not required, why should I buy travel insurance for Europe?

Because anything can happen when you’re far from home—and your best protection is travel insurance. Just ask our customers:

• “My husband and I spend a few weeks in Europe each year. We are in our 80’s so need health coverage when out of the country. Allianz provides coverage at a very reasonable cost…and just paid a claim within days of filing.” – Nancy W.
• “I broke my foot while traveling in Europe and Allianz made all the arrangements to get me home. Communicating with them was easy and I will never travel without Allianz insurance again.” – Amy W.
• “Airline lost my luggage while in Croatia. Allianz reimbursed me for my clothing purchases without any hassle.” – Joseph
• “During an urgent medical need in Spain, Allianz not only put me in touch with a doctor via video but helped with a prescription, which was filled at a 24-hour pharmacy within walking distance.” – Lynne F.

Travel protection can help in case of a medical emergency, unexpected trip cancellation or interruption, travel delays, lost or stolen baggage, and more.

Read more: The Simple Guide to International Travel Insurance Benefits

What is the best travel insurance for Europe?

The number one thing to look for is emergency medical and dental benefits. That’s because medical care is not free for American tourists. If you have a medical emergency, providers in Europe generally will not accept your U.S. health insurance (and Medicare does not cover any medical care received overseas.)⁶ If you need medical transportation in an emergency, travel insurance can cover that too—as well as the cost of sending you home, once you’re well enough to travel.

The best Allianz Travel Insurance plans for Europe include:

• OneTrip Basic, an affordably priced plan with up to $10,000 in emergency medical benefits and up to $50,000 in medical transportation benefits, plus trip cancellation/interruption benefits and more. Maximum trip length: 180 days.
• OneTrip Prime, our most popular plan for international travel, with up to $50,000 in emergency medical benefits and up to $500,000 for emergency transportation. Plus, kids 17 and under are covered for free when they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent (not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents). Maximum trip length: 180 days.
• OneTrip Premier, our best travel insurance for long trips to Europe (or anywhere), with the highest benefit limits. OneTrip Premier also can cover kids 17 and under for free when they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent (not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents). Maximum trip length: 366 days (in most states; check your plan documents.)
• AllTrips Prime, a plan designed for frequent travelers that can protect all the trips you take in a 365-day span. Includes up to $20,000 in emergency medical benefits and up to $100,000 for emergency transportation per insured, per trip. Maximum trip length: 45 days.

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