Quick answer: In Dhaka, the embassy of Germany and the visa centres for Spain (BLS) and Italy (VFS) publish lists of Bangladeshi insurance companies — about 20 on each. Italy's VFS page says plainly that the list is "suggested" and that Schengen states accept any valid, genuine health insurance. Switzerland has no list at all, but makes an insurer's coverage letter mandatory. What really counts is four things: €30,000 cover, valid in every Schengen country, for your whole trip, from a genuine policy that can be verified.
The file is almost ready. Hotel, ticket, bank statement — all done. Then, at the last minute, someone says: "The embassy only takes insurance from certain companies. Is yours on the list?" That one question has cost a lot of applicants a night's sleep.
The answer is on official websites — it is just scattered. This guide puts it in one place: which embassy publishes which list, what the lists actually mean, and how to check a policy yourself before you buy.
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Where each embassy's list is
Here is how four of the Schengen countries whose visas are handled in Dhaka deal with insurance. Each row links to the official page — see the full list there.
| Country | Where the list is | What kind of list |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | German Embassy Dhaka | Insurers whose policies are currently accepted by the Schengen states — 20 companies |
| Spain | BLS Spain (visa centre) | "Embassy approved insurance company list" (PDF); the site also says you may buy from any authorised insurer |
| Italy | VFS Global (Italy) | A "suggested" list of 20 companies; it states that any valid, genuine insurance is accepted |
| Switzerland | Swiss Embassy Dhaka | No list; an insurer's coverage letter is mandatory (see below) |
The German, Spanish and Italian lists name mostly the same companies. Many other Schengen embassies publish no list at all — only the conditions a policy must meet.
If my insurer is not on the list, will the visa be refused?
No — the lists do not mean "only these companies". Italy's VFS page says clearly that Schengen states accept any valid and genuine health insurance, and that the companies listed are suggestions. BLS Spain likewise says you may buy from any authorised insurer.
So what are the lists for? In practice, a policy from a listed company draws fewer questions at the counter, because the officer recognises the name. If you can, choose a listed company — but the real test is the policy's terms, not the company's name.
The real conditions — miss these and even a listed insurer will not help
- At least €30,000 of emergency medical cover.
- Valid in all Schengen countries — a policy naming only one country will not do.
- Covering your whole trip — from entry to exit.
- Emergency treatment, evacuation and repatriation included.
For the detail behind these rules — how long a policy to buy, the mistakes that cause refusals, and how claims work — read our complete Schengen travel insurance guide.
Switzerland — no list, but a strict rule
The Swiss Embassy in Dhaka publishes no list of insurers. Its visa page does, however, require a letter from your insurance company stating cover of at least USD 40,000 or €30,000 for medical, evacuation and repatriation costs for your whole stay. A photocopy of an insurance card is not enough, and applications without this document are refused.
So for Switzerland, check when you buy that your certificate or letter clearly shows the cover amount and Schengen-wide validity.
When an insurer changes its name — or the spelling differs
Embassy lists are not always up to date. When a company changes its name, the old one can stay on a list for years, sometimes misspelled.
We are a case in point. Our former name was Mercantile Insurance Company Ltd.; today we are Mercantile Islami Insurance PLC (MIIPLC). This is how we appear on the three lists:
- German Embassy: under our new name — "Mercantile Islami Insurance PLC".
- BLS Spain: under our former name — "Mercantile Insurance Company Ltd.".
- VFS Italy: at No. 11, under our former name — spelled "Mercentile Insurance Company Ltd." there.
If you cannot find your insurer on a list, search for its previous name too. To confirm the company is licensed in Bangladesh, check the list of licensed insurers published by the Insurance Development and Regulatory Authority (IDRA).
Five things to check before you buy
- The company — IDRA-licensed and, ideally, on an embassy list (under its current or former name).
- Your details — name and passport number on the certificate exactly as in your passport.
- The wording — "Schengen" (all Schengen countries) and €30,000, both clearly stated.
- The dates — matching the travel dates on your visa application.
- A way to verify — a QR code or an online policy check.
ℹ️ If an agency includes insurance in a "package", check these five points yourself. Many applicants never look at which company issued the policy or whether it is genuine — and if something goes wrong, the applicant is the one who pays for it.
Why a MIIPLC policy
- Listed by the German Embassy under our new name, and by BLS Spain and VFS Italy under our former name.
- Medical cover of €30,000 for Schengen countries — stated clearly on the certificate.
- A QR code on every certificate — the embassy, or anyone, can scan it to verify the policy.
- An IDRA-regulated, Shariah-based general insurer, operating since 1996.
- Fully online; pay by bKash, Nagad, card or internet banking.
What it costs
For travellers up to age 40, a 14-day Schengen policy starts from 1,687 BDT including VAT. The price depends on your age and the length of the policy.
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Frequently asked questions
Do Schengen embassies only accept insurance from listed companies?
No. Italy's VFS says Schengen states accept any valid and genuine insurance and that its list is a suggestion. A listed company does, however, tend to draw fewer questions at the counter.
Where can I find the embassy-approved insurance company list in Bangladesh?
On the German Embassy Dhaka website, the BLS Spain site (as a PDF) and VFS Global's Italy page. The links are in the table in this guide.
How many companies are on the list?
About 20 Bangladeshi insurers on each of the German, Spanish and Italian lists — mostly the same names on all three.
Is MIIPLC on the embassy list?
Yes. The German Embassy lists us as "Mercantile Islami Insurance PLC"; BLS Spain lists our former name, "Mercantile Insurance Company Ltd."; and VFS Italy lists our former name at No. 11, spelled "Mercentile Insurance Company Ltd.".
What if I cannot find my insurer on the list?
Search for the company's former name — lists often keep old names. And check that the company appears on IDRA's list of licensed insurers.
What does Switzerland require?
The Swiss Embassy has no list, but a coverage letter from your insurer is mandatory — at least USD 40,000 or €30,000, covering medical, evacuation and repatriation costs. Applications without it are refused.
Is insurance arranged by a travel agency accepted?
It can be, if the policy is genuine and meets the conditions. Check yourself which company issued it, that your name and dates are correct, and that it can be verified.
How much cover does Schengen travel insurance need?
At least €30,000, valid in all Schengen countries, for your whole trip. Our Schengen guide explains the rules in detail.
Before you apply
"Is it on the list?" is a fair question, but not the only one. What the embassy really checks is whether the policy is genuine and meets the rules: €30,000, every Schengen country, your whole stay. A listed insurer gives extra peace of mind — and checking the certificate yourself removes the risk altogether.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information only. It draws on the websites of the German Embassy Dhaka (dhaka.diplo.de), VFS Global Italy, BLS Spain Bangladesh and the Swiss Embassy Dhaka, checked on 3 October 2026. Lists and requirements change — check your embassy's latest checklist and your policy's exact terms before applying.