Health & Travel Insurance for US Expats (2026)
Insurance is one of the few non-negotiable documents when you move abroad. Most European residence visas require travel-medical cover of at least €30,000, valid across the Schengen area and including medical repatriation. This hub explains what qualifies and how to choose.
How much insurance do you need for a visa?
For Portugal and most Schengen visas, you need a policy with at least €30,000 of coverage, valid Schengen-wide and covering emergencies, hospital care and repatriation, for the length of your stay. Spain goes further, requiring full private cover with no copay. Mexico does not require it at the consular stage. To pick a plan, see our full comparison of health insurance for US expats.
Which insurance qualifies?
Many Americans use a nomad/expat travel-medical policy to meet the €30,000 requirement at application, then upgrade to fuller private cover (or register with the local public system) once resident. Always check the certificate states the cover amount and repatriation before you file.
- Schengen visas: at least €30,000 of cover, valid Schengen-wide, with repatriation.
- Spain: full private cover, no copay and no waiting period.
- Mexico: no consular requirement, but carry cover until you qualify for IMSS.
Insurance requirement by country (2026)
What each of our destinations expects at the visa stage:
| Country | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Portugal (Schengen) | ≥ €30,000, Schengen-wide, with repatriation |
| Spain | Full private cover, no copay, no waiting period |
| Mexico | Not required at the consular stage |
The US State Department recommends travel-medical and repatriation cover for citizens living abroad.
Insurance that meets the €30,000 requirement
SafetyWing's nomad cover is a common choice for the visa stage — confirm the certificate shows Schengen-wide cover and repatriation before you apply.
Compare SafetyWing cover →Disclosure: affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure. We only suggest insurers whose plans can meet the official requirement — verify the certificate yourself.
Compare the actual plans
Once you know what your visa requires, compare the providers side by side — travel-medical cover for the move, and full international health insurance for when you're resident.