Travel Insurance for Visa-Free Travel: Is It Necessary, What Does It Cover, and How Do You Get It?

Many Ukrainians have already taken advantage of the perk of visa-free travel to Europe. However, just because you don’t need a visa doesn’t mean you don’t need travel insurance for visa-free travel, as some travelers believe. Plus, not all tourists know what risks a policy can cover. So it’s worth taking a closer look at what travel insurance for visa-free travel is and why it’s definitely worth getting.

Do tourists traveling abroad under the visa-free program need insurance?

If you’re planning to travel to Europe with a biometric passport, visa-free travel insurance is by no means the first document they’ll ask to see. But there are some nuances. Border control officials may check whether you have insurance covering the duration of your trip and may deny you entry if you don’t. And if “buying visa-free travel insurance” wasn’t on your to-do list, that might raise some questions. 

And let’s not forget that no one can rule out the possibility of getting sick or injured abroad. And if you don’t have visa-free travel insurance, you’ll have to pay for medical treatment out of your own pocket. As we all know, medical care in Europe is quite expensive. 

What does travel insurance cover for visa-free travel?

Do you need medical insurance when traveling visa-free? Definitely. After all, such a policy can cover the following:

• emergency medical care;

• inpatient or outpatient treatment;

• emergency dental care;

• transportation to a medical facility;

• medical evacuation;

• repatriation of the deceased;

• accidents.

If your visa-free trip abroad is accompanied by an extended policy, you can count on coverage for other mishaps. For example, delayed or lost luggage, sports and outdoor activities, or even assistance with infectious diseases. 

What is the minimum insurance coverage required for Europe?

Visa-free travel insurance starts at a full 30,000 euros. This amount is sufficient to travel to the Schengen Area with peace of mind. However, it’s better to choose the 50,000-euro option if you’re planning a long trip or if there are significant risks involved.

Now, let’s talk specifically about the cost of the policy. It will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The final amount will be determined by the following factors:

• the country you plan to visit;

• the duration of your stay abroad;

• the traveler’s age;

• the desired coverage amount;

• the presence of additional risks;

• and whether you’ll be engaging in active recreation or sports.

This is precisely why a policy for several different travelers can cost very different amounts. 

What are the insurance requirements for travel to the Schengen Area?

We’ve figured out whether you need insurance to travel under the visa-free regime. Now it’s time to discuss the European requirements for such insurance. To ensure a worry-free trip, the policy must:

• be valid throughout the entire Schengen Area;

• cover the entire duration of your stay abroad;

• include repatriation and medical evacuation;

• have a coverage amount of at least 30,000 euros.

By contacting KIRINS, you can purchase an insurance policy that meets all these requirements.

How do I get health insurance online?

You can purchase a policy online on the KIRINS website in just a few minutes. All you need is the following information:

• the region or country you plan to visit;

• the date of your trip;

• the traveler’s information;

• the desired insurance plan.

All that’s left is to pay for the policy. In a couple of minutes, it will be sent to your email. The electronic version of the policy will have the same legal validity as the paper version.

Why shouldn't you travel without insurance?

There are travelers who, when considering whether they need medical insurance for visa-free travel, choose to travel without it. But it’s important to understand that medical care outside of Ukraine is very expensive. In Europe, even a basic doctor’s visit or emergency medical services can cost well over a hundred euros. 

For this reason, purchasing travel insurance in 2026 for visa-free travel means taking a safety net with you on your trip. This is far from a mere formality; it’s a guarantee that everything will go smoothly and stress-free.