Get insurance for your visa
Visa requirements
The Schengen visa is a perfect illustration of the importance of health insurance compliance. For your visa application, you need to prove that you have medical cover that meets European requirements:
- Coverage of at least €30,000 for medical care, hospitalization and repatriation costs.
- Valid in all Schengen countries
- Covering your entire stay (authorities tend to require 90 days of health cover).
If your insurance does not meet these criteria (amount, duration, area of validity, etc.), your visa may be refused. You can obtain a visa for up to 90 days, after which it will expire. Complying with these standards, as offered by Mondassur insurance policies, ensures that your visa complies with current regulations.
Avoid visa refusal
Refusal of a Schengen visa can have several causes:
- Incomplete applications or non-compliant documents (such as insufficient financial evidence, or an unrecognized insurance certificate, for example) are frequent reasons for rejection.
- The absence of clear evidence of the purpose of the stay (tourism, family visit, business trip) or the lack of coherence of the latter may arouse the suspicion of the authorities.
- Your financial situation is also analyzed by the authorities. If your financial situation appears unstable, or if there is no guarantee that you will have sufficient resources to cover the costs of your stay, your application may be rejected.
- A negative migratory history (overstaying, visa refusal in the past) or inconsistencies during the interview can also lead to refusal.
To avoid a refusal, it is essential to fill in your visa application form clearly and completely, providing all the supporting documents requested by consulates (identity papers, proof of accommodation, proof of sufficient resources, etc.).
Explain the purpose and duration of your stay, with dates and itinerary. Prove your ties to your home country (work contract, family, property) to show your intention to return at the end of your visa. Prepare yourself for the interview (if there is one): give clear answers and avoid any discrepancies between your statements and the information contained in your documents. Finally, make sure your health insurance meets Schengen requirements, such as those offered by Mondassur.
Long-stay visa
Criteria for obtaining a long-stay visa
If you want to stay in a country for more than 90 days, you need a long-stay visa. It’s for you if you want to study, work, join your family or have a long-term stay. To obtain a visa, you need to :
- A valid passport covering the entire period in question
- Proof of sufficient financial resources
- Provide a hosting address
- Health insurance that meets local legal requirements
You’ll need to provide supporting documents and pay an application fee before your visa is accepted by the consulate or embassy. It’s also important to have health insurance that meets the country’s health standards. You can also take out a more comprehensive insurance policy to ensure that your expatriation goes smoothly.
Once the visa has been obtained, some states require additional steps (medical examination, online validation) in order to legally extend the stay. Other countries, however, require you to apply for a residence permit on the spot. In the final analysis, the success of your application depends on the preparation of your file and compliance with the required criteria (particularly concerning health insurance).
Schengen visa or long-stay visa?
| Criteria | Schengen visa (short stay) | Long-stay visa |
| Length of stay | Up to 90 days within a 180-day period | More than 90 days (up to 6 months, 12 months or more depending on the situation) |
| Purpose of stay | Tourism, family visits, business trips, short internships, etc. | Study, work, family reunion, long-term professional missions, etc. |
| Territory concerned | Valid throughout the Schengen area (26 countries) | Issued by a specific country (e.g. France, Spain…) and entitles the holder to stay mainly in that country. |
| Application formalities | Simpler file (proof of accommodation, insurance, etc.) | More complex file (letter of admission, work contract, proof of long-term resources, etc.), longer processing times |
| Insurance required | Must cover at least €30,000 for medical expenses and repatriation, valid throughout the Schengen zone | Varies from country to country: full medical coverage for entire duration of stay (sometimes compulsory local mutual insurance) |
| Status and extension | Temporary stay, not designed for settlement; very limited extension. | Can sometimes be converted into a residence permit on the spot (e.g. VLS-TS in France), allowing the stay to be extended or to work legally |
In short, take out health insurance for both Schengen and long-stay visas. Furthermore, the coverage required by the authorities to issue you a visa is far from complete. We recommend that you take out more comprehensive insurance, which will offer you better protection in the event of an accident or any other unforeseen event during your stay. Our advisors will be delighted to help you choose your health insurance.
Our insurance certificates feature a unique QR code, giving you proof of the validity and conformity of your coverage. This gives the authorities instant access to essential information. There’s no risk of error or fraud. The aim is not only to simplify your administrative procedures, but also to reinforce the confidence you can place in our service. It’s all part of our commitment to offering you an innovative, transparent solution.
