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-European 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 Sep 2025)
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
Why Should You Get Travel Insurance for Your Schengen Trip?
While the European Commission requires travelers from third countries to apply for a Schengen visa, holders of BNO or HKSAR passports don't need visas to visit 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.
Among the numerous application requirements, one mandate is that anyone applying for a Schengen visa must show proof of insurance that 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).
What to Look for in Schengen Travel Insurance?
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.
Best Schengen Travel Insurance for Hong Kong Travellers
Travel Insurance Plan | Medical Coverage | Trip Cancellation | Personal Baggage | Premium (14-day trip)* | Feature Highlights |
HK$1,500,000 | HK$50,000 | HK$20,000 | HK$292.5 | 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$282.6 | "Cancel for Any Reason" of up to 75% of costs for non-covered reasons | |
Blue Cross TravelSafe Plus - Global Gold Plan (Single-plan Cover) | HK$750,000 | HK$15,000 | HK$10,000 | HK$319.2 | 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$295.1 | Overbooking cover up to HK$10,000 | |
HK$1,000,000 | HK$50,000 | HK$20,000 | HK$339.5 | 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
