EKTA vs Heymondo: which budget Schengen insurance wins?
Which is cheaper, EKTA or Heymondo? EKTA, on paper: its base per-day rate runs below Heymondo's, though the gap is modest. Heymondo's price is more variable by trip and destination, so run both through the price estimator for your exact dates before assuming EKTA wins by the same margin every time.
Both sit at the cheaper end of our six-provider comparison, but they get there differently. EKTA strips the product down to a compliant certificate at the lowest possible sticker price. Heymondo costs a little more and gives you an actual medical service in exchange: direct billing, a doctor in the app.
At a glance
| EKTA | Heymondo | |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | ~€2.20 / day | €2.80 / day (varies by trip) |
| Medical cover | $50,000 (Start, 25% deductible) – $500,000 (no deductible) | $250,000 – $500,000 (plan-dependent) |
| Claims handling | Reimbursement model | Direct hospital billing |
| Support | Standard email support | 24/7 in-app doctor chat |
| Certificate | Instant by email | Instant by email |
Source: provider pricing pages & EU Regulation 810/2009, Article 15 · Verified September 2026
Where EKTA wins
The lowest sticker price of the two, on a short or medium trip. For a traveler who wants the cheapest possible compliant certificate and is comfortable with a deductible on the entry tier, EKTA is hard to beat on price alone.
Where Heymondo wins
Everything that happens if you actually need care. Direct hospital billing and a 24/7 doctor chat are real service layers EKTA's entry tier doesn't include, for a modest price difference. Heymondo's entry plans also start at $250,000 of cover, against $50,000 with a 25% deductible on EKTA's Start plan.
The honest trade-off
Neither provider fails the visa requirement; that part is settled. The real question is what you want the policy to do beyond the paperwork. If the trip is short, you're healthy, and the certificate is the whole point, EKTA's price is the rational choice. If you'd rather pay a bit more for a policy that behaves like real travel insurance if something goes wrong, Heymondo is the better-specced option for a small premium over EKTA's cheapest tier.
Also consider: AURAS
Also consider AURAS, sold by EKTA's own underwriter at a flat $1.50/day (checked live 2026-10-02). It has a smaller deductible than EKTA Start ($100 instead of 25%) but the same $3,000 per-event cap and the same non-EU underwriter. See AURAS vs EKTA and the AURAS review.
Bottom line
Choose EKTA to minimize the sticker price and accept the entry-tier deductible. Choose Heymondo to pay slightly more for direct billing and real medical support behind the same compliant certificate.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, EKTA or Heymondo?
Does EKTA's cheaper plan still meet the Schengen visa requirement?
What do you give up by choosing EKTA over Heymondo?
Which one has a better track record on customer reviews?
Does EKTA still have a partner discount?
Compare the six providers whose certificates consulates accept, or estimate the price for your exact trip in 10 seconds.