Travel medical insurance is a mandatory requirement for short-stay Schengen visa applicants, mandated by European law to ensure that medical costs are not borne by the host country. The policy must provide at least 30,000 € in coverage, encompassing emergency medical care, hospital treatment, and repatriation. This insurance must be valid throughout the entire Schengen area for the duration of the visit. For multiple-entry visas, applicants must show proof for their first trip and provide a formal commitment to maintain insurance for all subsequent visits. Applications are often rejected due to insufficient coverage, incorrect date ranges, or failure to include repatriation guarantees. It is recommended to choose insurance providers with network support in Europe. While this requirement is strict for most, exceptions apply to diplomatic passport holders and specific professional categories, such as seafarers.