EKTA vs SafetyWing: which Schengen visa insurance should you buy?
Is EKTA or SafetyWing cheaper for a Schengen visa? For a single, fixed-length trip, EKTA is usually cheaper — it prices per day and currently runs a site-wide discount at checkout. SafetyWing bills in fixed 4-week blocks at roughly $62.72 (about $2.24/day), so it becomes more competitive the longer, or more open-ended, the trip is.
These two aren't really competing for the same traveler. EKTA is a one-off, per-day policy built for a fixed trip; SafetyWing is a subscription built for people who don't know exactly when their travel will end. Here's how they actually stack up.
What each one actually is
EKTA is a budget-focused, one-off Schengen visa policy: you buy it for a known set of travel dates, and the certificate arrives by email within minutes. Full details in our EKTA review.
SafetyWing's Nomad Insurance is a subscription that renews every 4 weeks until you cancel, aimed at digital nomads and long-term travelers rather than a single fixed trip. Full details in our SafetyWing review.
Price
| EKTA | SafetyWing | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | Per day, fixed trip dates | Fixed 4-week block, renews until cancelled |
| Typical rate | ~€2.20/day before its current −37% promo | ~$62.72 / 4 weeks (~$2.24/day) |
| Best suited to | A short, one-off trip with known dates | An open-ended or multi-month trip |
Source: provider pricing pages, checked against this site's own comparison data · Verified September 9, 2026
Because EKTA charges per day and SafetyWing charges per 4-week block regardless of how many of those days you use, the cheaper option flips with trip length: a one- or two-week trip almost always costs less on EKTA, while a trip running two months or longer can end up cheaper — and simpler to manage — on a single SafetyWing subscription than on a stack of one-off policies.
Medical cover
| EKTA | SafetyWing | |
|---|---|---|
| Cover amount | Start $50,000 · Gold $150,000 · Max+ $500,000 | $250,000, single plan |
| Deductible | 25% on Start; none on Gold/Max+ | Not stated as carrying a deductible |
| Repatriation & Schengen-wide validity | Stated on the certificate | Stated on the certificate |
Every tier of both providers clears the €30,000 Article 15 minimum comfortably. The real trade-off is EKTA's cheapest tier carrying a 25% deductible against SafetyWing's single, higher-ceiling plan with none stated.
Who each one is actually for
EKTA suits applicants whose main priority is the lowest sticker price for a single, dated trip, and who are confident they won't need to make a claim beyond producing the visa certificate.
SafetyWing suits digital nomads, long-term travelers, or anyone booking several trips over months who'd rather keep one subscription running than rebuy a policy each time. It also covers a child under 10 for free as a dependent, up to two per family — a perk EKTA doesn't advertise.
Where each one falls short
EKTA is a smaller company with mixed customer reviews, and its cheapest plan's 25% deductible matters if you ever actually claim. SafetyWing isn't sold to travelers 70 and older, a child aged 10-17 buying their own policy pays the full adult rate, and it isn't the right tool for a Type D long-stay or residency visa — those need a different insurer entirely. See the long-stay guide if that's your situation.
Questions people ask when choosing between them
Is EKTA or SafetyWing cheaper for a Schengen visa? For a single, fixed-length trip, EKTA is usually cheaper — it prices per day and currently runs a site-wide discount at checkout. SafetyWing becomes more competitive the longer, or more open-ended, the trip is.
Which offers more medical cover? SafetyWing's single plan covers $250,000. EKTA's Start plan covers $50,000 (with a 25% deductible), rising to $150,000 (Gold) and $500,000 (Max+) with no deductible.
Does either have a deductible? EKTA's entry Start plan carries a 25% deductible; Gold and Max+ do not. SafetyWing's plan isn't described as carrying one. Confirm current policy wording on each provider's site before buying.
Which is better for a long or open-ended trip? SafetyWing — it renews every 4 weeks until you cancel, so you're not rebuying a certificate for each leg of a multi-month trip.
Can a traveler over 70 buy either? EKTA sells to travelers 70 and older at a higher age-adjusted rate. SafetyWing does not sell to travelers 70+ at all.
Are children covered for free? SafetyWing covers a child under 10 for free as a dependent, up to two per family. EKTA doesn't advertise an equivalent perk. On both, a child aged 10-17 buying their own policy pays the standard age rate.
Bottom line
Pick by trip shape, not by brand. A single trip with known dates points to EKTA on price. An open-ended or multi-month trip, or traveling with a young child, points to SafetyWing. Either way, check the full comparison table against your exact age and dates before buying.
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