Asistencia al viajero para Schengen desde United States

Travel Assistance for the Schengen Area 

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The Schengen area, also known as the Schengen zone, is the region of free movement that includes 29 European countries that have eliminated border controls at their common borders. This area was established in 1985 through the Schengen Agreement and began operating in 1995 with the purpose of removing internal borders between member states and applying common controls at the external borders of these countries. In practice, the Schengen area acts, in terms of migration, as a single country with a common visa policy. 

It should not be confused with the European Union. There are EU member states that are not part of the Schengen area, and similarly, there are countries that do not belong to the EU but are part of the Schengen area. 

What is Schengen travel insurance? 

Schengen travel insurance is a medical insurance that meets the requirements set by the European Council for obtaining a Schengen visa. This policy covers medical expenses and other unforeseen events that may occur during a trip within the area, such as emergency medical treatment or any expenses related to repatriation for health reasons. 

In March 2004, the European Union decided to introduce mandatory medical insurance for the issuance of a short-stay visa in the Schengen area. This is because the countries in the area require travelers applying for the visa not to depend on public medical care during their stay. 

Who needs a Schengen visa? 

European authorities have established visa exemption agreements with several countries. Therefore, we can say that some countries require a visa to enter the Schengen Area, while others do not.  

In this link you will find the complete list of countries that need a Schengen visa. 

Which countries make up the Schengen Area? 

The Schengen area is made up of 29 European member states that carry out a common policy on borders and visas. Therefore, these countries are subject to the same rules regarding visas, which are established in the Common Visa Code, EU Regulation 810/2009/EC.  

The Schengen Area consists of 29 countries: 

• Austria 
• Belgium 
• Bulgaria 
• Croatia 
• Czech Republic 
• Denmark 
• Estonia 
• Finland 
• France 
• Germany 
• Greece 
• Hungary 
• Iceland 
• Italy 
• Latvia 
• Liechtenstein 
• Lithuania 
• Luxembourg 
• Malta 
• Netherlands 
• Norway 
• Poland 
• Portugal 
• Romania 
• Slovakia 
• Slovenia 
• Spain 
• Sweden 
• Switzerland 

It is important to note that Bulgaria and Romania partially joined the Schengen area on March 31, 2024, allowing transit without border controls only by air and sea, while controls at land borders still persist. 

 

Is it possible to leave the Schengen area and re-enter? 

It is possible to leave the Schengen Area and re-enter, but there are certain rules and limitations that must be taken into account. Travelers who are not citizens of a Schengen country can enter and stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without the need for a specific visa, as long as they meet the entry conditions. 

Main considerations: 

• 90/180-day period: Visitors can stay for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This means that after having stayed 90 days in the Schengen Area, they must leave and cannot return until they have spent another 90 days outside the Schengen area. 
• Border controls: When leaving the Schengen Area and then re-entering, it is crucial that travelers ensure their passports are stamped correctly both upon departure and entry. This helps authorities verify that they have not exceeded the stay limits. 
• Multiple visas: If a visa is required, some visas allow multiple entries into the Schengen Area during their validity period. This facilitates leaving and re-entering without the need to obtain a new visa for each trip. 

It is advisable for travelers to check the specific rules for their particular situation with the embassy or consulate of the Schengen country they plan to visit, as there may be variations depending on the traveler's country of origin and specific diplomatic relations. 

What does travel insurance for a Schengen visa cover? 

Travel insurance for a Schengen visa offers several essential coverages for travelers. Below are the main areas of coverage: 

1. Medical assistance: 

• Medical expense coverage: Covers necessary medical expenses resulting from an illness or accident during the trip. This includes hospitalization, medical consultations, treatments, and medications, generally up to a limit of 30,000 euros, which is the minimum required by Schengen regulations. 

• 24-hour assistance: Access to professional assistance and advice 24 hours a day in case of a medical emergency. 

2. Repatriation: 

• Medical repatriation: Covers transportation expenses to the country of origin in case of serious illness or accident requiring medical attention at home. 

• Repatriation in case of death: Covers the costs associated with transporting the body to the country of origin in case of death. 

3. Extraordinary expenses: 

• Emergency expenses: Reimburses additional expenses incurred due to emergency situations, such as extra travel or accommodation expenses in case of delays or cancellations. 

4. Dental expenses: 

• Emergency dental coverage: Covers necessary dental expenses resulting from an accident. 

5. Theft and loss: 

• Theft of documents: Covers expenses related to the theft of travel documents, such as passports and visas. 

• Baggage delay: Provides compensation in case of significant delays in the arrival of baggage. 

These coverages help ensure that travelers are protected against various eventualities while visiting the Schengen area, complying with the requirements established for obtaining the visa. 

What is the EES System? 

This is a new entry and exit system that will be implemented by the European Union starting October 6. 

The EES system is designed to monitor non-EU citizens who need a visa for short visits, requiring compliance with new guidelines and linking to the ETIAS system. This advanced system captures and monitors the movements of non-EU travelers through fingerprints and digitized travel documents, collecting and disseminating data on admission, exit, and denial of entry to nationals of third countries in the Schengen area.  

Replacing traditional passport stamps with biometric data, the EES allows authorities to monitor travelers' movements and alert about excessive stays or unauthorized entries by including fingerprints, personal data, and a facial photograph. 

Countries such as Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Iceland are included in the system, while Ireland and Cyprus do not participate. The main objective is to strengthen border security and manage migration more effectively. 

How to purchase travel assistance for the Schengen area? 

With PAX Assistance's travel assistance for Schengen, you can travel throughout the area with the broadest medical coverage for travel, the highest protection, and 24-hour support via WhatsApp. Get a quote now for your next destination and travel with peace of mind. 

Getting a quote is very simple: go to our quote tool, specify your country of residence, entry and exit dates, the region of the world you are traveling to, and the ages of the passengers. That's it! In just a few steps, you'll know your options.   

Depending on the type of trip you take, we have designed different services to adapt to your travel needs. More info in the following link: What PAX service to choose based on the trip you take.  

  

How much does travel assistance for the Schengen area cost? 

The cost of travel assistance for the Schengen area can vary significantly depending on the duration of the trip, the age of the traveler, the level of coverage, and the insurance company.  

Factors affecting the cost: 

• Duration of the trip: A longer trip generally implies a higher cost. 

• Age of the traveler: Premiums tend to be higher for older travelers. 

• Level of coverage: Broader coverages with higher expense limits increase the cost. 

• Specific destination: Although it is the Schengen area, some countries may have specific requirements that affect the cost of insurance. 

 

Why choose PAX Assistance?  

At PAX Assistance we are not only committed to providing you with human and accessible travel assistance, but we also care about your emotional well-being and that of your family.  

We offer PAX CASH, so you can say goodbye to reimbursements! When our medical team prescribes you a medication, instead of having to pay out of pocket and then wait for a reimbursement, we will send you a link directly to your email or phone number. By clicking on the link, the amount needed for the purchase will be instantly credited to your virtual wallet, compatible with Apple or Android devices. 

Get a quote for my travel assistance

At PAX Assistance, we care about every aspect of your well-being, and our commitment goes beyond providing you with medical assistance and financial protection. We want you to feel at peace during your trip, knowing that we are here for you and your family, even in the most difficult moments.