subject: Traveling to the Schengen Countries for Business [print this page] Traveling to the Schengen Countries for Business
If you are a non-US citizen who is planning a business trip to a European country, there are fifteen specific locations that require its visitors to have health insurance coverage. These countries, known collectively as the Schengen countries, are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Greece, Luxembourg, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden. If you are going to go on a business trip to one of these fifteen destinations, or a combination of a few of these countries, you should educate yourself on the Schengen visa insurance requirements. One of the requirements is that the insurance company that you are going to purchase a policy from has to have a representative office in Europe. Also, your insurance policy must include medical evacuation and repatriation coverage of at least US $37,500. The third requirement is that the insurance must remain valid during the entire length of your stay in a Schengen country.
Schengen visa insurance requirements for the application process is very detailed and lengthy, as there are a lot of components to the process:
First, you must complete two application forms with a photograph for identification purposes. You also need a valid passport that will not expire until at least three months after the end of your trip. A copy of your itinerary, along with a confirmed reservation and airline ticket, has to be presented before you are issued a visa. You also have to show proof of health insurance and proof of income. You could visit
A letter from your employer must also be included in the application. This letter has to provide details about your business trip. You are also responsible for visa fees. If you are traveling with a minor and there are no other adults with you, there are more specific requirements for the minor. These requirements also apply if the minor is traveling alone. Contact the Embassy or Consulate in the location you are planning to go to for information.
These 15 countries agreed to be part of the Schengen treaty, which was created in June of 1985 to eliminate border checkpoints and controls. Although there are many requirements, the Schengen visa has actually made it easier to travel to these fifteen countries in the past 25 years. The website also provides a lot more detail about what is needed in order to obtain the Schengen visa. You could also get quotes for the types of coverage you will need.
You should also know that this visa is not just for those who are going on a business trip. It is for anyone who needs to travel to the Schengen area to visit loved ones, or for anyone who wants to take a vacation in one of the countries. You also need the visa even if you are just passing through the area to get to another destination.
