Europa

Europe Travel Insurance: How Much It Costs and What €30,000 Coverage Really Means

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A Europe travel insurance policy with the benchmark €30,000 medical coverage starts at R$ 10.30 per day per person (Oct 2026) on the Seguros Promo comparison site. For 15 days, entry-level plans run between R$ 165 and R$ 195, and travelers aged 70 or older may pay 75% more, depending on the insurer.

The €30,000 figure comes from the European Union Visa Code and applies as a requirement for anyone applying for a Schengen visa. Brazilians on short tourist trips are visa-exempt, so the rules on when insurance is checked at the border are detailed in the guide mandatory travel insurance: where it’s required. Here, the focus is on price, quotes by age and number of days, and what the policy must include to meet the Schengen standard.

Benchmark coverage€30,000 for medical, hospital and repatriation expenses (Visa Code)
Starting priceFrom R$ 10.30 per day per person (Oct 2026)
15 days, entry-level plansR$ 165 to R$ 195 per person, up to age 60 (estimate, Oct 2026)
Age 70 and over75% surcharge with Assist Card (Oct 2026); check the bracket with other insurers
Required validityAll 29 Schengen countries, from departure day to return day
Coverage currencyMake sure it’s in euros: $30,000 is not the same as €30,000
PortugalThe SUS CDAM gives access to the public system, but it doesn’t replace insurance
In this article · 10 topics
  1. What €30,000 coverage means
  2. How much insurance for Europe costs
  3. Prices for 7, 15 and 30 days
  4. Prices for seniors and by age
  5. What the policy must cover
  6. Does the CDAM in Portugal replace insurance?
  7. How to choose the best insurance
  8. What nobody tells you when getting a quote
  9. Frequently asked questions
  10. Conclusion

What does €30,000 coverage mean in travel insurance?

The €30,000 is the minimum capital a policy must have for emergency medical expenses, emergency hospitalization and repatriation for medical reasons or in the event of death. The rule is in Article 15 of the European Union Visa Code (Regulation 810/2009) and applies to anyone applying for a Schengen visa.

Pedestrians crossing at a crosswalk on a street in Paris, France
The policy must be valid in every Schengen country on your itinerary | Photo: David Kouakou / Pexels

In practice, “€30,000 coverage” is the cap the insurer pays per covered event, not the price of the insurance. A plan advertised as “60k” or “100k” covers more in case of hospitalization, and the price goes up accordingly. The same article requires the policy to be valid in the territory of all Schengen countries and for the entire stay. That’s 29 European countries, including Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and, since 2025, Bulgaria and Romania.

For visa-exempt Brazilians, the figure works as a benchmark: it’s what insurers call a “Schengen plan” and the proof worth carrying in case the border asks for it. Traveling with less saves a few reais a day and leaves your coverage below the European standard.

How much does travel insurance for Europe cost?

Travel insurance for Europe costs between R$ 11 and R$ 34 per day per person on the best-selling plans, according to the average daily prices for Oct 2026 on Seguros Promo’s Europe insurance page. The advertised floor is R$ 10.30 per day. The difference between plans comes down to medical capital, baggage and extras like telemedicine.

PlanMedical coverageAverage price per day (Oct 2026)Best for
ITA 60 Europa (ITA Travel)60kR$ 11 to R$ 13 (Oct 2026)those who want the lowest price with a cushion above €30,000
MTA 100 Europa (My Travel Assist)100kR$ 14 to R$ 17 (Oct 2026)more medical capital for just a little more
Sul América 60 Europa60kR$ 15 to R$ 19 (Oct 2026)those who prefer a well-known Brazilian insurer
Affinity 40 Essential Europa40kR$ 16 to R$ 20 (Oct 2026)a lean plan with medication reimbursement
AC 150 Promocional Europa (Assist Card)150kR$ 25 to R$ 34 (Oct 2026)seniors and long trips, thanks to the high capital

The table shows medical coverage as the comparison site advertises it, without the currency. Before you pay, open the plan’s terms and confirm whether the capital is in euros or dollars: that detail is what determines whether a “40k” plan comfortably clears the €30,000 mark.

How much does Europe travel insurance cost for 7, 15 and 30 days?

For 15 days, an entry-level plan costs around R$ 165 to R$ 195 per person (Oct 2026); for 30 days, R$ 330 to R$ 390. The ranges below multiply Seguros Promo’s average daily price by the number of days, for travelers up to age 60. The actual quote may come out a little different, since the comparison site notes that the price varies with date and duration.

DurationITA 60 EuropaSul América 60 EuropaAC 150 Assist Card
7 daysR$ 77 to R$ 91 (Oct 2026)R$ 105 to R$ 133 (Oct 2026)R$ 175 to R$ 238 (Oct 2026)
15 daysR$ 165 to R$ 195 (Oct 2026)R$ 225 to R$ 285 (Oct 2026)R$ 375 to R$ 510 (Oct 2026)
30 daysR$ 330 to R$ 390 (Oct 2026)R$ 450 to R$ 570 (Oct 2026)R$ 750 to R$ 1,020 (Oct 2026)
Passengers boarding a plane at a European airport
Flight days count toward your insurance | Photo: Ben Leonard / Pexels

Count the days the way the insurer does: from your departure date from Brazil to your return date. If you leave on the night of the 10th and return on the 24th, you’re buying 15 days, even if you only land in Europe on the 11th. A delayed return flight that rolls into the next day also calls for a buffer day on your policy.

How much does Europe travel insurance cost for seniors?

Insurance for seniors costs more because insurers charge by age bracket. With Assist Card, travelers aged 70 and over pay 75% more, calculated as of the purchase date, according to the senior plan page (Oct 2026). Insurer Universal Assistance describes price tiers at 60, 70 and 80, with jumps that sometimes double the price.

Profile (15 days)Bracket ruleEstimate per person (Oct 2026)
Up to age 60, entry-level planbase priceR$ 165 to R$ 195 (Oct 2026)
Age 70 and over, AC 150 Assist Card+75% on R$ 375 to R$ 510 (Oct 2026)R$ 656 to R$ 893 (Oct 2026)
Bracket that doubles the price, entry-level plan2x the base priceR$ 330 to R$ 390 (Oct 2026)

Three things change the outcome for travelers over 70. Enter the correct date of birth, because the surcharge is calculated based on your age on the day of purchase. Read the plan’s age limit, since some refuse coverage above age 80. And check whether pre-existing conditions are covered: without that item, a blood pressure or diabetes complication during the trip could be left out.

For a couple with different ages, get a quote for each person on the same plan. The younger traveler pays the base rate and only the older one gets the surcharge, so the couple’s average ends up lower than it looks on the first simulation.

What must the policy cover to meet the Schengen standard?

A policy meeting the Schengen standard must check four boxes: medical capital of at least €30,000, medical and funeral repatriation, validity in all Schengen Area countries, and coverage for the entire stay. If any one is missing, the plan won’t work for a visa application, even at a low price.

Plans sold as “Europe” often also include countries outside the agreement, such as the United Kingdom, but the list varies from insurer to insurer. If you’re combining London with Paris, make sure the UK is written into the terms. The same goes for anyone heading to Christmas markets in Europe and crossing the border into Switzerland or Czechia.

Does the CDAM replace travel insurance in Portugal?

The CDAM does not replace travel insurance. The Certificate of Entitlement to Medical Care, issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Health, stems from social security agreements with Portugal, Italy and Cape Verde and lets you be treated in those countries’ public systems as a local citizen. It doesn’t pay for private hospitals or repatriation to Brazil.

Yellow trams on a street in Lisbon, Portugal
In Portugal, the CDAM complements insurance within the public system | Photo: Junior Diniz / Pexels

For Portugal, Brazilians apply for the certificate with an ID, CPF, valid passport and proof of residence in Brazil. For Italy, the Ministry of Health also requires proof of enrollment with INSS. The CDAM is valuable as a free backup, especially on long trips, but the public system doesn’t cover the flight home in case of serious illness, which is precisely the most expensive item in an emergency.

What’s the best travel insurance for Europe and how do you choose?

The best travel insurance for Europe is the cheapest one that meets the €30,000 standard in euros and includes the extras that fit your profile. For a healthy adult on a trip of up to 15 days, a 60k plan does the job. For seniors, pregnant travelers or trips over 30 days, it’s worth upgrading to 100k or 150k.

  1. Set your dates and age: these are the two numbers that move the price the most.
  2. Filter by capital in euros: rule out anything that doesn’t reach €30,000.
  3. Compare repatriation and baggage: on itineraries with connections, lost baggage coverage makes a difference.
  4. Read the exclusions: high-risk sports like skiing and diving, plus pre-existing conditions, are left out without specific coverage.
  5. Keep the policy on your phone and printed: along with the 24-hour hotline number.

If you’re heading for the snow, like the destinations in the Christmas with snow guide, check whether the plan covers skiing: high-risk activities appear on the exclusions list when there’s no specific coverage. When it’s time to pay, buying in reais through the comparison site avoids currency conversion on your credit card.

What nobody tells you when getting a quote

The traps in a Europe insurance quote are in the currency, the dates and the exclusions, not the price. These are the points that come up when you cross-reference the Visa Code with the plans’ terms.

Another item that often gets left to the last minute is internet: to call the 24-hour hotline and show your policy, your phone needs to work as soon as you land. Data prices for 7, 15 and 30 days are in the eSIM for Europe guide, and the comparison with a physical SIM card is in international travel SIM card.

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Frequently asked questions

Is travel insurance mandatory to enter Europe?

Travel insurance with €30,000 is required of anyone applying for a Schengen visa. Brazilians on tourist trips of up to 90 days are visa-exempt and don’t face this general requirement at entry, but the policy is recommended given the cost of European healthcare. Details are in the guide mandatory travel insurance.

Does Europe travel insurance cover the United Kingdom?

Europe travel insurance often covers the United Kingdom, but that depends on each plan’s country list. The UK is not part of the Schengen Area and doesn’t require insurance for entry, so confirm in the terms whether England and Scotland are listed before you buy.

Does credit card insurance work for Europe?

Credit card insurance can work for Europe if the certificate issued by the card network shows medical coverage of at least €30,000, repatriation and validity in all Schengen countries. Also check whether the benefit depends on buying the ticket with that same card.

Do children need travel insurance for Europe?

Children need travel insurance for Europe under the same conditions as adults: when the family applies for a Schengen visa, the €30,000 rule applies to each person. For visa-exempt Brazilians, a policy for the child is recommended, and the quote is done per person, using each one’s date of birth.

Conclusion

For most Brazilians, insurance for Europe runs between R$ 165 and R$ 285 for 15 days (Oct 2026), with coverage above €30,000. Set your dates and age, confirm that the capital is in euros and that every country on your itinerary appears in the policy, and compare plans on Seguros Promo. More planning guides are on Voyage Voyage, like the list of visa-free countries for Brazilians.