Health insurance for Foreigners in Germany

Health insurance is mandatory for every resident in Germany. However, if you are a foreign national, choosing the right health insurance plan can be tricky. There are too many options, and one needs to identify what works best for him or her. Speaking of foreigners in Germany, they can be categorized into many different types.

Foreigners can be in Germany for one of several reasons:

• tourism
  
  
• long term foreign student at the university
  
  
• an exchange program for a semester
  
  
• an onsite job for a brief period
  
  
• a freelancer in Germany
  
  
• a spouse on dependency visa
  
  
• an expatriate settled in Germany
  
  

Before delving into the rules applicable in individual cases, we have to first look at the basic question. Who is eligible for a public health insurance scheme in Germany, and who comes under the private health insurance plan coverage?

Even though a good majority of the German population (about 85%) is covered under the state health insurance plan (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, Krankenkasse, or GKV), some categories of foreigners cannot become a part of it and need private health insurance.

Health insurance is a Must in Germany and required by German law

All residents of Germany, including all foreigners, are required by German law to have health insurance. And additionally, without it, the cost of medical care can be unbearably expensive.

Let's look now into different scenarios applicable to various kinds of foreign nationals in terms of health insurance.

1. Public Health Insurance for internationals in Germany (GKV - Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung)

It is known that public health insurance in Germany is a lot cheaper than the private counterpart. The public insurance system is managed by 118 non-profit associations (Krankenkassen) with the help of the German government. A few of the popular names are TK (Techniker Krankenkasse), AOK, BEK, DAK, GEK, BKK and KKH. In the case of working people, contributions to health insurance are split roughly equally between employers and employees. If you are employed in Germany and earn less than the threshold amount (2021: EUR 64.350), you are automatically insured in a public health insurance scheme.

But again, not everyone can opt for public health insurance in Germany. Only the following categories of people can become a part of the GKV:

• Students (below the age of 30 or till their 14th study semester)
  
  
• Employed people with a salary of lesser than EUR 64.350 per annum (2021)
  
  
• Spouse and children of an employed person who is a member of the public health insurance in Germany
  
  
• Registered unemployed people from selected foreign countries.

2. Private Health Insurance for foreigners in Germany (PKV - Private Krankenversicherung)

Private health insurance in Germany is opted by a lesser percentage of people in the country. Even though it is costlier than the state scheme, it also has its own perks.

Having private insurance usually leads to a lesser waiting period in getting appointments with medical professionals. It may seem unfair, but some doctors restrict their services only to private patients. They are also offered extensive medical tests (obviously because they can be charged a bigger sum). Popular private insurance companies in Germany include Allianz Private Krankenversicherung, AXA, DVK, Debeka, Deutsche Krankenversicherung, Signal Idunaa, HUK-Coburg-Krankenversicherung, Bayerische Beamtenkrankenkasse, Continentale Krankenversicherung, Central Krankenversicherung, Barmenia and so on.

The following set of people normally can be insured with a private insurance company only:

• Guest foreign scientists and lecturers
  (private health insurance from EUR 24.50 / month, for more details, please click here ...)
  
  
• Postgraduate international students in Germany / Scholarship holders in Germany (without an employment contract)
  (private health insurance from EUR 24.50 / month, for more details, please click here ... )
  
  
• Students in German language courses
  (private health insurance from EUR 24.50 / month, for more details, please click here ...)
  
  
• Prep school students (Studienkolleg or study college)
  
  
• People on job-seeking visa (from EUR 30.00 / 30 days)
  
  
• Ex-Pats in Germany (from EUR 58.00 / month)
  
  
• Employed people with higher income (2021: more than EUR 64.350)
  
  
• Freelancers and Self-Employed in Germany (from only EUR 58.00 per month)
  
  Self-Employed and Freelancers in Germany can select between private and public health insurance companies. It depends on your age and current health condition, but the private health insurance company will often offer you more affordable prices.
  
  As Freelancers or Self-Employed, please check this option:
  If you are a newcomer to Germany and don’t plan to stay more than 5 years in Germany, please also check the Expatriate health insurance from one of the biggest insurance companies, “Hanse-Merkur Versicherungsgruppe” (from only EUR 58.00 per month, more details here ...)
  
  
  

3. Private Travel insurance for foreigners for Germany

If you fall under neither of the categories above, then you are probably a tourist or just in Germany for a business trip or something.

In that case, you have to apply for travel insurance before coming to Germany. Travel insurance can be bought from any insurance company in your own country or even better in Germany, but make sure it satisfies your needs and the visa requirements (see below).

If you need a visa for Germany, you need to purchase a travel insurance plan that meets all the requirements by the German embassy before appearing for your visa interview at the German consulate. Even foreign students and employees who come to the country for a longer stay need travel health insurance first (see requirements below) and eventually change later to the German health insurance system (either public or private health insurance plans).

If you need a visa for Germany or need to extend your visa, please be aware that your travel health insurance for Germany should meet the below-listed requirements, or you risk a visa rejection.

4. Visa Application and Visa Extension:
What are the minimum requirements for travel health insurance for Germany?

For the visa process, the German embassies, consulates, and the Aliens Office (Ausländerbehörde) in Germany need evidence of valid health insurance. It is critical that the amount of insurance coverage is a minimum of EUR 30,000, which should be stated on the insurance policy.

Often the problem with foreign insurance policies is that this requirement is not met.

Our recommendation for all foreigners who need a Schengen Visa (up to 90 days):

The affordable Private Travel Health Insurance from Hanse-Merkur Versicherungsgruppe

Your benefits:

1. Good and cheap health insurance for all foreigners starting at EUR 30.00 / 30 days with a maximum insurance period of 2 years.

2. The insurance meets the current requirements for a Schengen-Visa and can be used for Visa Application or Extension at the embassy and in the Aliens Department (Ausländerbehörde). The required minimum coverage of EUR 30,000 is ensured and is stated on the insurance policy.

3. If you apply now, you will get all the needed documents quickly per email.

A few minutes after your Online Registration, you will receive your insurance documents by email.
The insurance policy documents are needed for your doctor's appointment, presentation at embassies, consulates, and foreign authorities.

Print and use them for your next doctor's visit, Visa Application, or Extension.

More details and Online Application you can find here:

Cheap Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany from EUR 30.00 / 30 days ...