Schengen Travel Insurance from Kenya 2026: €30,000 Rule, 7 Easy Checks and How to Buy

Updated 7 November 2026

Schengen travel insurance is compulsory for Kenyans applying for a short-stay Schengen visa. The EU Visa Code requires travel medical insurance with a minimum cover of €30,000 that pays for emergency medical care, hospital treatment and repatriation, including in the event of death, and that is valid across the whole Schengen area for your entire stay.

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Checked on 7 November 2026 against the European Commission’s applying for a Schengen visa page and Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 (Visa Code), Article 15.

Contents: The rules · Seven checks · How to buy · Business travellers · Mistakes · FAQ

What the Schengen travel insurance rules say

Article 15 of the Visa Code requires applicants for a uniform short-stay visa to prove they hold adequate and valid travel medical insurance. The cover must:

• pay for costs that may arise from repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment or death during the stay;
• be valid throughout the territory of the Schengen states;
• cover the entire period of stay;
• have a minimum coverage of €30,000.

The European Commission lists medical insurance among the core documents for every Schengen visa application, together with a valid passport, the application form, a photo and supporting documents. The standard visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 12, and the normal processing time is 15 days, which can be extended to 45 days. Our Schengen visa from Kenya guide covers the full application.

Seven checks before you buy Schengen travel insurance

1. Medical limit of at least €30,000, or its equivalent, shown clearly on the certificate.
2. Repatriation, including of remains, listed as covered.
3. All Schengen states covered, not only the country of your visa.
4. Dates match your itinerary. Add a day or two of buffer in case of delays. For multiple-entry visas, consulates may ask for cover for the first trip and a commitment to insure later trips.
5. Excess or deductible: check how much you pay yourself on each claim.
6. 24-hour emergency assistance number with a partner in Europe.
7. Licensed insurer. If you buy in Kenya, confirm the company is licensed by the Insurance Regulatory Authority.

How to buy Schengen travel insurance in Kenya

• From a Kenyan insurer or licensed agent: many general insurers sell travel policies priced by trip length, destination and age. Ask for a policy schedule and an embassy letter or certificate in English.
• Through a broker or bank: some banks bundle travel cover with premium cards. Check that the card cover meets the €30,000 rule and that the consulate accepts it; many applicants still buy a standalone policy.
• Through the visa centre or tour operator: convenient, but compare prices first.

Schengen travel insurance prices vary widely by age and trip length, so request written quotes. Do not rely on a premium you saw online months ago.

Business travellers and employers

Companies sending staff to conferences or client meetings in Europe can buy annual multi-trip travel policies, which may be cheaper than single trips for frequent travellers. Check that each trip’s length is within the policy’s per-trip limit and that the certificate names the traveller. Firms reviewing their wider cover can read our SME business insurance guide.

Common Schengen travel insurance mistakes

• Buying cover for a different region, such as worldwide excluding Europe.
• Cover that starts after your arrival date or ends before departure.
• A certificate in a language the consulate does not accept.
• Assuming SHA or local medical cover pays abroad; check, and expect to need separate travel cover.
• Forgetting to carry a copy of the policy and the emergency number while travelling.

What to do if you need to claim

If you fall ill or are injured in Europe, call the insurer’s 24-hour assistance number before you go to hospital where you can. The assistance team can direct you to a partner hospital and may pay the bill directly, which avoids large upfront costs. Keep every receipt, medical report and prescription, and note the names of the doctors who treated you.

For smaller costs you pay yourself, file the claim as soon as you return to Kenya. Most travel policies set a deadline for claims, so check the policy wording. Send clear copies of your passport stamps or boarding passes to prove the dates of travel, together with the medical documents.

Getting the timing right

The European Commission says you must apply at least 15 days before your trip and no earlier than six months beforehand. Buy your Schengen travel insurance once your dates are firm, but before your visa appointment, because the certificate is part of the file you submit. If your dates change after the visa is issued, ask the insurer to amend the policy so your cover still matches your actual stay.

Frequently asked questions

How much cover does Schengen travel insurance need?

At least €30,000 for emergency medical care, hospital treatment and repatriation, under Article 15 of the EU Visa Code.

Must Schengen travel insurance cover the whole stay?

Yes. It must be valid for the entire stay and throughout the Schengen area.

Can I buy Schengen travel insurance in Kenya?

Yes, from insurers licensed by the Insurance Regulatory Authority, their agents or brokers. Check the certificate meets the consulate’s requirements.

Is my bank card’s travel cover enough?

Only if it meets the €30,000 minimum and covers repatriation and the full Schengen area, and the consulate accepts the certificate. Ask your bank in writing.