Key points
- A Schengen short stay visa needs travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000, valid in all Schengen states for the whole stay, covering emergency care, hospital and repatriation.
- Since 1 January 2026 every tourist entering Georgia must have health and accident insurance of at least GEL 30,000.
- Many long stay and nomad visas also need insurance: Japan's nomad visa asks for JPY 10 million of cover, Korea's workation visa asks for medical cover too.
- The UK and US do not require insurance for a visitor visa, but medical costs there are high, so most travellers buy it anyway.
- Common mistakes: cover that is too small, wrong dates, only one country instead of the whole Schengen area, or a policy that excludes repatriation.
Contents
- 1. When is travel insurance required for a visa?
- 2. The Schengen EUR 30,000 rule explained
- 3. Georgia: insurance at the border since 2026
- 4. Insurance for nomad visas and long stays
- 5. How to choose a policy that consulates accept
- 6. For Azerbaijani, Pakistani, Indian, Russian and Turkish travellers
- 7. If you are coming to Azerbaijan
- 8. Frequently asked questions
When is travel insurance required for a visa?
Some countries make insurance a condition of the visa or of entry. Others leave it to you. The table shows the rules we checked on official pages. Where a country is not listed, look at its official visa checklist, because rules change.
| Country or visa | Insurance required? | Minimum cover | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen short stay visa (type C) | Yes, at application | EUR 30,000, all Schengen states, whole stay | EU Visa Code and consulates |
| Georgia (tourists, since 1 January 2026) | Yes, at entry | GEL 30,000 health and accident | Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Japan digital nomad visa | Yes | JPY 10 million for treatment, for the whole stay | Immigration Services Agency of Japan |
| South Korea workation visa (F-1-D) | Yes | Check the consulate page; figures differ | Korean consulates |
| Azerbaijan embassy visa | Usually yes, unless your host covers costs | Check the embassy | Azerbaijani embassy checklist |
| Azerbaijan e visa | Not asked in the form | Not set | evisa.gov.az |
| UK visitor visa | No | Not set | gov.uk |
| US B1/B2 visa | No | Not set | US embassy |
Even when insurance is not required, a hospital stay abroad can cost thousands. Insurance is a good idea on any trip.
The Schengen EUR 30,000 rule explained
The EU Visa Code says short stay visa applicants must prove they have travel medical insurance. The European Commission describes it as cover for emergency medical care, hospital treatment and repatriation, including in case of death. The minimum cover is EUR 30,000.
Consulates check four things. The amount must be at least EUR 30,000. The policy must cover every Schengen state, not only the one you apply to. The dates must cover the whole stay, including travel days. And it must include repatriation, which means bringing you home for medical reasons.
For a multiple entry visa, German and Spanish consulates say the policy only needs to cover the first trip, and you sign an undertaking to buy cover for later trips. Some consulates publish lists of insurers they accept. Check the checklist of the consulate you apply to.
- Cover of at least EUR 30,000 per person.
- Valid in all Schengen states.
- Valid for every day of the trip.
- Covers emergency care, hospital and repatriation, including in case of death.
- Issued by an insurer the consulate accepts, if it has a list.
Georgia: insurance at the border since 2026
Georgia changed its Law on Tourism so that from 1 January 2026 every tourist entering the country needs health and accident insurance with cover of at least GEL 30,000. This applies even to the many nationalities that can stay a year without a visa, including Azerbaijani, Turkish and Russian citizens.
Carry the policy on paper or on your phone. Officers may ask for it. If you plan to live in Georgia for longer, read our digital nomad visas 2026 post.
Insurance for nomad visas and long stays
Long stay visas usually ask for real health insurance, not just a travel policy. Japan's digital nomad visa needs cover for death, injury and illness for the whole stay, with treatment cover of at least JPY 10 million. Korean consulates ask workation visa applicants for medical insurance for the full year, and different consulate pages give different minimums, so read the one for your country.
Once you hold a residence permit, many countries expect you to join the local health system or buy local insurance. Check what your permit asks for.
How to choose a policy that consulates accept
- 1
Read the consulate checklist first
It tells you the minimum cover, the area and whether there is a list of accepted insurers.
- 2
Match the dates to your plan
Start on the day you leave home and end on the day you come back. Add a day or two in case of delays.
- 3
Check the area
For Schengen, the policy must say all Schengen states or Europe. A policy for one country only is not enough.
- 4
Check the words repatriation and emergency
Both should appear in the policy, with the amount in euros or a clear equivalent.
- 5
Print the certificate
Bring a printed certificate with your name, passport number, dates, area and cover amount to the appointment.
For Azerbaijani, Pakistani, Indian, Russian and Turkish travellers
All five nationalities need a Schengen visa, so the EUR 30,000 rule applies to all of them. Local insurers in Baku, Karachi, Delhi, Moscow and Istanbul sell Schengen policies, but check that the insurer is accepted by the consulate you apply to; some consulates, for example German missions in India, publish lists.
For more on the Schengen visa from Baku, read Schengen visa for Azerbaijani citizens. If a visa was refused for missing or weak insurance, read visa refusal reasons. See where each passport can go: Azerbaijan, Pakistan, India, Russia, Türkiye.
If you are coming to Azerbaijan
The Azerbaijan e visa form does not ask for insurance. For an embassy visa, the checklist usually asks for medical insurance unless your host covers your costs; see the Azerbaijan embassy visa guide. If you then move to Baku on a residence permit, Sroky can remind you before the permit and your passport expire.
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Frequently asked questions
How much travel insurance do I need for a Schengen visa?
At least EUR 30,000 of cover, valid in all Schengen states for the whole stay, including emergency care, hospital and repatriation.
Is travel insurance mandatory for Georgia?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026 every tourist entering Georgia must have health and accident insurance of at least GEL 30,000.
Do I need travel insurance for a UK visa?
No. The UK does not require it for a visitor visa. It is still wise to have it, because medical care for visitors is charged.
Does the Azerbaijan e visa need insurance?
No. The e visa form on evisa.gov.az does not ask for insurance. Embassy visas usually do, unless your host covers your costs.
Can I buy Schengen insurance from a local company in my country?
Usually yes, if the policy meets the rules. Some consulates only accept insurers from their published list, so check first.
Does my insurance need to cover the whole multiple entry visa period?
Not always. German and Spanish consulates say it must cover the first trip, and you sign an undertaking to insure later trips.
Official sources
- European Commission: Applying for a Schengen visa
- German Embassy in Hong Kong: travel health insurance requirements
- Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: mandatory insurance for tourists
- Immigration Services Agency of Japan: digital nomad
- Spanish Consulate in Mumbai: Schengen visas
Sroky is a private service and is not part of the government of Azerbaijan. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules change: the official source always applies. Disclaimer