Canadian residents can protect their trips to the 29 countries in the Schengen area

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At a glance

  • World Nomads offers travel insurance for single trip and annual multi-trip plans for Canadian residents who are travelling to countries in the Schengen area 
  • Coverage for emergency medical expenses, trip delay, lost bags, natural disasters, and more may be included (up to the maximum limits shown in your policy documents) 
  • Some plans may also include travel insurance benefits, such as rental car protection and roadside assistance
  • An optional ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ upgrade may be available for the Explorer and Epic plans offered by World Nomads 

Why should you consider travel insurance for the Schengen area? 

The Schengen Agreement makes it easier for travellers to visit multiple countries, and every day over 3.5 million people are crossing internal borders in these 29 countries. The treaty essentially means that when you cross the border into one of these countries, you have access to all of them (that is, you're free to travel between these countries with no border controls and no passport checks). Within the Schengen area there are so many adventures you can have. But what happens if you get hurt skiing in Switzerland and need to get emergency medical care, or if your bags get lost on the way to France? Travel insurance for Schengen countries may help with some of these unexpected situations. 

Exclusions 

  • Travel to countries that you don’t list when you purchase your plan
  • Non-emergency treatment that can wait until you return home province 
  • Activities not listed as covered in your policy documents
  • Pre-existing conditions, as outlined in your policy documents 
  • Unattended baggage or personal items 
  • Injuries that happen while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Situations outside of the limits, terms, and conditions of coverage stated in your policy documents

Maximum Limits

Standard PlanExplorer PlanEpic PlanAnnual Plan

Emergency Medical Expenses: Up to $1,500,000 CAD

Trip Cancellation: Up to $2,500 CAD

Lost or Stolen Bags: Up to $1,000 CAD, per item limit of $500 CAD



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Emergency Medical: Up to $5,000,000 CAD 

Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000 CAD 

Lost or Stolen Bags: Up to $2,000 CAD, per item limit of $1,000 CAD 



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Emergency Medical: Up to $10,000,000 CAD 

Trip Cancellation: Up to $15,000 CAD 

Lost or Stolen Bags: Up to $5,000 CAD, per item limit of $1,500 CAD 



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Emergency Medical: Up to $5,000,000 CAD 

Trip Cancellation: Up to $10,000 CAD 

Lost or Stolen Bags: Up to $2,000 CAD, per item limit of $1,000 CAD 



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How to File a Claim 

If you have a World Nomads Travel Insurance plan, and experience a sudden, unforeseen circumstance due to a covered risk while you’re travelling outside of your home province, you’ll need to contact us as soon as possible and provide certain information that may include: 

  • Your name and contact information 
  • Your policy number 
  • The type of loss, as well as the amount 
  • The name of your travel suppliers 
  • The trip dates 
  • The amount you paid for your trip

You can then file a claim online.Claims can be made through your World Nomads member’s page at: https://www.worldnomads.com/travel-insurance-claims or by calling Travel Guard and requesting a claim form. Depending on the reason for your claim, you’ll need to provide required documentation that may include:

  • Receipts and invoices 
  • Itineraries
  • A statement from your attending physician
  • Medical bills and reports 
  • Written documentation from the travel provider that explains the reason for your loss 
  • Proof of payment for the trip such as cancelled cheque or credit card statements 
  • Reports from the police or other authorities.

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about cover for the Schengen area. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Help Center or you can ask the customer service team.

  • What is the Schengen Agreement?
    The Schengen Agreement is a treaty that has been signed by 29 countries. Once you’ve crossed the border into one of them, you’re free to travel between the Schengen countries with no border controls and no passport checks. These 29 countries have agreed on a common visa application form for visitors from outside the area. So if your travels are taking you to Europe you might need to apply for this ‘Schengen visa'. We say 'might' because not everyone needs one...it all depends on where you're from and what countries you'll be visiting in Europe.
  • Do I need a Schengen visa?

    If you are a Canadian citizen with a Canadian passport travelling to Schengen countries for business or tourism, you will not need a visa as long as your stay does not exceed 90 days within any 180-day period. If you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than 90 days in any 180-day period, you must contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries you plan to visit and obtain the appropriate visa before you travel. 

    Also, be aware that ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) will start operations at the end of 2026. This will affect visa-exempt travellers (including those from Canada) that are going to enter 30 European countries. Travellers will be asked to apply via the official ETIAS website or mobile app. Each applicant will undergo a detailed security check to determine their status for entry into any of the Schengen Zone countries.

  • Does World Nomads Travel Insurance meet the Schengen visa requirements?
    Yes…it does! If you are from one of the countries that requires a Schengen visa, you need to prove that you have adequate travel insurance that is valid for the entire period of your stay (or transit) in the Schengen area. World Nomads travel insurance policies do provide this cover (in fact, they cover much more than the required EUR €30,000) and therefore it should be accepted as part of your Schengen visa application.
  • When does ETIAS start?

    ETIAS will start in the last quarter of 2026, but an exact date has not been set yet. This will affect the process for visa-exempt travellers (including those from Canada) that are going to enter 30 European countries. Once it starts, travellers will be asked to apply via the official ETIAS website or mobile app. Each applicant will undergo a detailed security check to determine their status for entry into any of the Schengen Zone countries.

  • How long can I stay in the Schengen countries without a visa?
    As a Canadian citizen, you can visit Schengen area countries without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you plan to stay in the Schengen area longer than 90 days in any 180-day period, you must contact the high commission or embassy of the country or countries you plan to visit and obtain the appropriate visa before you travel.
This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical, legal, insurance, or travel advice and provides only a general summary of certain features that may be available under applicable travel insurance policies. Coverage is subject to the specific terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and pre-existing condition provisions of the applicable insurance policy. In the event of any inconsistency between this article and the wording of any insurance policy, the policy wording shall govern and take precedence. It is important that you read and understand your policy before travelling. If you have questions about your coverage or are unsure how your policy applies to your circumstances, please contact us for clarification.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: $5,000
  • Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Travel buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Explorer Plan: $10 million
  • Standard Plan: $5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Need meds quick?
  • Accidentally injured?
  • Suddenly sick?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation

We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.

  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
  • Banged up abroad?
  • Need a hospital urgently?
  • Medevac home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.

  • Explorer Plan: $3,000
  • Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
  • Passport or tech stolen?
  • Airline lost your gear?
  • Bags delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
  • Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
  • Emergency Professional Services
  • Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
  • Return to Your Trip Destination
  • Return of Remains
  • Travel Accident
  • Flight Accident
  • Trip Cancellation
  • Trip Interruption
  • Trip Delay
  • Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
  • Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
  • Travel Documents Theft or Damage
  • Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
  • Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
  • LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
  • Worldwide Travel Assistance
  • Adventure Travel Hotline
  • 24/7 Security
  • Travel Medical Assistance
  • Bag Trak
This is a general summary for Canadian residents only. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions and termination provisions of the travel insurance plans described. Coverage may not be available for residents of all provinces. Check the Travel Insurance Policy for full details.