Why Trust MoneySmart?Planning your trip across Europe’s Schengen area? Whether you’re heading to a romantic getaway in France, exploring Finland’s Christmas markets, or chasing the northern lights in Iceland, make sure to secure your trip with Schengen travel insurance! Essential for Hongkongers enjoying visa-free travel and mandatory for expats applying for Schengen Visa.
In this guide, MoneySmart explains why Schengen insurance matters, and compares various plans to help you find the best option to travel with confidence.
Key Takeaways
While HKSAR and BNO passport holders can enjoy visa-free entry, expat travellers in Hong Kong with non-Schengen-exempt passports will be required to have insurance with a minimum of €30,000 in medical coverage.
For visa applicants, medical insurance is a required document in your application. The insurance must be purchased before you travel.
Even with visa-free access, your stay in the Schengen Area is limited to a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period.
Key coverage to check includes €30,000 medical cover, repatriation, trip cancellation, and lost baggage protection. Look for providers with 24/7 multilingual assistance.
What is the Schengen Area?
The Schengen Area is a special zone of 29 countries (25 EU Member States and 4 non-EU countries) that have eliminated internal border controls, meaning you can travel freely between member states with just one visa without going through border checks.
List of Schengen Countries (As of Oct 2026)
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark (excluding Greenland and the Faroe Islands)
Estonia
Finland (including Åland)
France (excluding Overseas France)
Germany (including Büsingen am Hochrhein)
Greece (including Mount Athos)
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands (excluding Dutch Caribbean)
Norway (excluding overseas territories and dependencies)
Poland
Portugal (including Azores and Madeira)
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain (including Canary Islands)
Sweden
Switzerland
Do I need a Schengen visa?
Generally speaking, holders of HKSAR, Macau SAR or BNO passports are exempt from a visa for entering the Schengen Area as tourists for up to 90 days within any six-month period. However, if you're an expat living in Hong Kong from a country whose nationals require visas (e.g., Indonesia, Philippines), you must apply for a Schengen Visa before your trip.
Why Should You Get Travel Insurance for Your Schengen Trip?
One mandate of acquiring a Schengen visa is that applicants must show proof of insurance that is valid for the territory of all Schengen states, covers at least €30,000 (about HK$ 272,695) in medical expenses, covering emergency medical care, hospitalization and repatriation (including in the event of death).
Why should I get Schengen Travel Insurance for my Europe Trip?
The Schengen area includes 25 EU member states and are mostly located within Europe, if you are travelling across multiple countries, it's good odds that it may be one of the Schengen member states.
When comparing Schengen travel insurance plans, here’re the main coverages you should look for to be fully protected:
Medical emergencies: For Schengen visa applicants, insurance must cover at least €30,000 for medical expenses. Even for non-visa travelers, this coverage is essential as healthcare costs in Europe can be extremely high if you get sick or have an accident.
Trip delays and cancellations: Travel plans in Europe can be disrupted by many factors, from sudden illness to airline strikes or severe snowstorms. Having travel insurance reimburses you for non-refundable costs such as prepaid flights, hotel bookings, and tour reservations.
Lost or stolen personal belongings: Tourist hotspots in cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Rome are notorious for pickpocketing, and for sure losing your personal belongings, baggage or even passport in a foreign country can be a huge hassle. A good travel insurance policy will reimburse you for essential items you need, and compensate you if they're permanently lost or stolen.
24/7 multilingual assistance: When you need emergency medical help or assistance with a lost passport in a small European town where English isn't spoken, having access to a helpline with English or Cantonese-speaking staff is invaluable. This support can make all the difference when navigating difficult situations in countries where language barriers exist.
How do I get Schengen Travel Insurance in Hong Kong?
To get Schengen Travel Insurance in Hong Kong, you need to purchase a qualifying policy from an authorized insurer that explicitly meets the consulate's strict requirements. The policy must provide a minimum of €30,000 (approximately HK$275,000) in coverage for emergency medical expenses, hospitalization, and medical repatriation. To find a policy that best matches your needs, you can compare various travel insurance plans on MoneySmart. Shopping through MoneySmart allows you to evaluate premiums, medical limits, and benefits side-by-side, while also giving you access to special discounts and exclusive promotional offers to lower your trip costs.
What is the price for Schengen Travel Insurance in Hong Kong?
Travel insurance for Schengen areas usually costs between HK$20-HK$40 per day depending on coverage. You can use MoneySmart’s comparison platform to choose the best coverage for you and your family.
Travel Insurance Plan | Medical Coverage | Trip Cancellation | Personal Baggage | Premium (12-day trip)* | Feature Highlights |
HK$1,500,000 | HK$50,000 | HK$20,000 | HK$294.69 | Coverage for loss of or damage to baggage and personal effects up to HK$20,000 | |
HK$2,000,000 | HK$40,000 | HK$25,000 | HK$353.4 | Cancellation benefit up to HK$40,000 | |
Blue Cross TravelSafe Plus - Global Gold Plan (Single-plan Cover) | HK$750,000 | HK$15,000 | HK$10,000 | HK$279.3 | Comprehensive Outbound Travel Alert Extension for all Amber, Red, and Black Travel Alerts in the benefit of Trip Cancellation, Trip Curtailment and Re-routing |
HK$500,000 | HK$25,000 | HK$8,000 | HK$363.2 | Overbooking cover up to HK$10,000 | |
HK$1,000,000 | HK$50,000 | HK$20,000 | HK$390.6 | Family plan available which covers a maximum of 2 parents and unlimited number of legal child(ren) aged under 18 |
*Calculation based on a 12-day trip to France for a 30-year-old adult
