What travel insurance do I need for a Schengen visa?
A Schengen visa needs travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 that covers emergency treatment, hospital care, medical repatriation and death, is valid in every Schengen country and runs for your whole stay. Schengen embassies in Nairobi accept policies from the 29 Kenyan insurers on the EU Delegation's 2025 list, and a week's cover costs about USD 17–20 per adult on their published rates. Choose a policy that is refunded if the visa is refused.
The EU rule (Visa Code, Article 15)
A Schengen visa needs travel medical insurance covering medical repatriation, urgent medical care, emergency hospital treatment and death, valid in every Schengen state for the whole stay, with at least EUR 30,000 of cover (Article 15).
For a multiple-entry visa, only the first trip has to be covered; you sign a statement on the application that you will insure later trips (Article 15(2)).
The Visa Code expects you to buy the insurance in your country of residence and lets someone else buy it for you; there is no rule that the insurer must be based in the EU (Article 15(4)–(5)).
A Schengen visa must be refused if you cannot show adequate, valid travel medical insurance, and the EUR 90 visa fee (EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 11) is not refunded.
Checklist: is your certificate embassy-ready?
- The insurer is on the EU Delegation's 2025 list of approved Kenyan insurers.
- Medical cover of at least EUR 30,000 (Kenyan Europe plans usually show USD 60,000–80,000).
- Valid in every Schengen country, not only the one you apply to.
- Dates cover your whole stay, including transit, with a day or two either side for changed flights.
- Covers emergency medical and hospital treatment, medical repatriation and death.
- Your name and passport number exactly as on your visa application.
- The insurer's 24-hour assistance number is printed on the certificate.
- It can be refunded, or the dates moved, if the visa is refused.
Which Kenyan insurers do the embassies accept?
Schengen embassies in Nairobi use one shared list of 29 approved Kenyan insurers, published by the EU Delegation to Kenya for 2025 and reproduced by the German, Danish and Hungarian embassies; it includes APA, AAR, Britam, CIC General, GA, ICEA LION, Madison, Mayfair, Old Mutual General and Pioneer.
Source: EU Delegation to Kenya: approved Schengen medical travel insurers, 2025
Italy's visa checklist for Kenya accepts travel medical insurance bought from an insurer in Kenya or in the Schengen area, with at least EUR 30,000 for urgent hospital care or repatriation.
Source: VFS Global, Italy visa checklist for Kenya (March 2026)
The 2025 list still names Corporate Insurance, which the Insurance Regulatory Authority placed under statutory management on 10 March 2026 with no new contracts from 11 March.
Source: The Kenya Times, March 2026
Every insurer we compare for Schengen cover is on the 2025 list.
What Schengen cover costs
Per adult aged 18–65 on four Kenyan insurers' published Europe and Schengen rates, October 2026.
| Trip length | Per adult (USD) | About (KSh) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 8 days | 17 – 20 | 2,200 – 2,600 |
| 9 – 15 days | 24 – 35 | 3,100 – 4,500 |
| 16 – 21 days | 27 – 42 | 3,500 – 5,500 |
| 22 – 32 days | 34 – 48 | 4,400 – 6,200 |
| 33 – 62 days | 46 – 89 | 6,000 – 11,600 |
| 63 – 92 days | 85 – 136 | 11,000 – 17,700 |
| A year of trips | 129 – 300 | 16,700 – 38,900 |
- Per adult (USD)
- 17 – 20
- About (KSh)
- 2,200 – 2,600
- Per adult (USD)
- 24 – 35
- About (KSh)
- 3,100 – 4,500
- Per adult (USD)
- 27 – 42
- About (KSh)
- 3,500 – 5,500
- Per adult (USD)
- 34 – 48
- About (KSh)
- 4,400 – 6,200
- Per adult (USD)
- 46 – 89
- About (KSh)
- 6,000 – 11,600
- Per adult (USD)
- 85 – 136
- About (KSh)
- 11,000 – 17,700
- Per adult (USD)
- 129 – 300
- About (KSh)
- 16,700 – 38,900
Shillings at the Central Bank of Kenya rate of KSh 129.81 to the dollar (15 October 2026), rounded. Children under 18 pay half; ages 66–75 add 50%, 76–80 add 100%.
More on Travel insurance calculator
If your visa is refused
About one in three Kenyan Schengen applications was refused in 2025, so buy with refusal in mind.
Buy a refundable policy
Insurers on the Nairobi list are asked to refund the premium if the visa is refused; confirm it before you pay.
Cancel before the start date
Write to the insurer before the policy starts, with the embassy's refusal letter attached.
Expect to lose the levies
The taxes and levies on the premium are usually not refunded.
Reapplying? Move the dates
If you plan to apply again, ask to move the policy dates instead of cancelling it.
How to get your Schengen certificate with Naveah
- Send your trip details Country, entry and exit dates, and each applicant's name, date of birth and passport number.
- Compare approved insurers We show plans from listed insurers that meet the EUR 30,000 rule for your ages.
- Pay and receive the certificate By M-Pesa, card or bank; the certificate comes by email, one per applicant.
- If plans change Refused visa or new dates: we handle the refund or the change with the insurer.
Frequently asked questions
Is travel insurance mandatory for a Schengen visa from Kenya?
Yes. The EU Visa Code requires travel medical insurance for short-stay Schengen visas, and the visa must be refused without it. The visa fee (EUR 90 for adults) is not refunded if that happens.
How much cover do I need for a Schengen visa?
At least EUR 30,000, covering emergency medical and hospital treatment, medical repatriation and death, valid in all Schengen states for your whole stay. Kenyan Schengen and Europe plans usually carry USD 60,000–80,000, comfortably above the minimum.
How much is Schengen travel insurance in Kenya?
About USD 17–20 per adult for a trip of up to a week, USD 34–48 for about a month and USD 85–136 for up to three months on Kenyan insurers' published rates. At KSh 129.81 to the dollar a week costs roughly KSh 2,200–2,600.
Which insurance companies are approved for Schengen visas in Kenya?
Schengen embassies in Nairobi use one list of 29 approved Kenyan insurers (the EU Delegation's 2025 list), which includes most large Kenyan insurers. One name on it, Corporate Insurance, has been under statutory management since March 2026, so avoid it.
What happens to my insurance if my Schengen visa is refused?
Insurers on the Nairobi list are asked to refund the premium if the visa is refused. In practice, cancel in writing before the policy start date and attach the embassy's refusal letter; the levies may not be refunded. If you plan to reapply, ask to move the dates instead.
What dates should my Schengen policy cover?
Every day you will be in the Schengen area, including transit, from arrival to departure. Add a day or two either side so a changed flight does not leave you uncovered. For a multiple-entry visa, only the first trip has to be covered.
Can I use a European online policy for my Schengen visa?
Some embassies accept it: Italy's Kenya checklist accepts insurers in Kenya or in the Schengen area. But the Visa Code expects you to insure where you live, Nairobi embassies check their approved list, and Kenya's Insurance Act restricts placing cover with unlicensed foreign insurers. A listed Kenyan insurer is the safer choice.
Can someone over 80 get Schengen travel insurance?
Yes. Most Kenyan insurers stop standard cover at 80 but offer Europe or Schengen cover above that age at four times the adult rate, and one insurer accepts travellers up to 89.
Can my family travel to Europe on one policy?
Some insurers sell Schengen or Europe cover per person only, others as a family plan. Children under 18 usually pay half. Each applicant needs a certificate in their own name for the visa.
Is 'Shengen' travel insurance the same thing?
Yes. 'Shengen' is a common spelling of Schengen. The rule is the same either way: at least EUR 30,000 of cover, valid across the Schengen area for your whole stay.
Visa appointment coming up?
Tell us your country, dates and ages. We compare approved Kenyan insurers and send your certificate quickly, ready for the visa file.
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Sources (10)
- Regulation (EC) 810/2009, EU Visa Code (EUR-Lex)
- EU Delegation to Kenya: approved Schengen medical travel insurers, 2025
- Kenyan insurers' published 2025 travel rate cards, checked 19 Oct 2026
- EU Delegation to Kenya, Schengen MTI listing form
- Embassy of Denmark, Nairobi
- VFS Global, Italy visa checklist for Kenya (March 2026)
- The Kenya Times, March 2026
- Central Bank of Kenya weekly bulletin, 16 October 2026
- Le360 Afrique, citing European Commission visa statistics, 30 May 2026
- Insurance Act (Cap 487), section 20
Facts and published prices checked 19 Oct 2026; last reviewed October 2026 by Naveah Capital. Prices shown are published rates and market estimates in US dollars, before any levies an insurer adds; they are not a quote. Naveah Capital Insurance Agency is an IRA-licensed insurance agency in Nairobi; this page is general information, and your policy wording decides your cover.
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