Difference between revisions of "Germany/Insurance/Health"

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(Created page with "{{DISPLAYTITLE:Health insurance in Germany}} The German health care system is divided into 2 branches * public healthcare * private healthcare Generally speaking, you need...")
 
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Health insurance in Germany}}
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:Health Insurance in Germany}}
 
 
 
The German health care system is divided into 2 branches
 
The German health care system is divided into 2 branches
  
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* private healthcare
 
* private healthcare
  
Generally speaking, you need to pick one of them.
+
Your first decision is to pick one of them.
  
 
== How to find the right German health insurance for me? ==
 
== How to find the right German health insurance for me? ==
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== Simple cases ==
 
== Simple cases ==
  
=== I am employed in a regular job ===
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=== Employed in a regular job ===
  
 
If you are
 
If you are
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you must take the [[#Public|public option]].
 
you must take the [[#Public|public option]].
 +
 +
=== Student under 30 ===
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 +
If you are a student at an
 +
 +
* Universität (university) or
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* Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences)
 +
 +
then the [[#Public|public option]] is almost always the cheapest choice (~100€/month).
 +
 +
=== Student who needs a visa ===
 +
 +
In this case, you probably also need a Blocked Account (''Sperrkonto''). There are interesting combined offers of both a Blocked Account and Health insurance, check a here a [https://berlincheap.com/blocked-account/ comparison of health insurance packages].
 +
 +
=== (Young) freelancer from outside EU & EEA  ===
 +
 +
If you are:
 +
 +
* young (under 30)
 +
* freelancer / self-employed
 +
* from outside EU & EEA (European Economic Area)
 +
* plan to stay only a few years in Germany
 +
 +
then likely the [[#Private|private option]] is cheaper.
 +
 +
=== Freelance artists and publicists ===
 +
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You might qualify for the Künstlersozialkasse. They pay half of your health insurance and public pension insurance. It costs nothing, so it's really worth it. It just takes a lot of paperwork.
 +
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* [https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/ksk-kuenstlersozialkasse How to join the Künstlersozialkasse]
  
 
== Setup an insurance option ==
 
== Setup an insurance option ==
 +
 +
=== General ===
 +
* {{AffLink|Feather|feather-health}} is a Berlin-based, fully English-speaking option. They can advise you both about public and private health insurance and will find the best matching option for you. '''A consultation is free.'''
  
 
=== Public ===
 
=== Public ===
 +
 +
There are several public health insurance options. They do not differ so much in their price/rates because they are regulated by law: You always pay around 16% of your income.
 +
 +
So you rather want to choose them by the features they offer. For expats, options with an English speaking service are a big bonus – so with English information.
 +
 +
Besides, there is also a very helpful and '''free signup service''' from {{AffLink|Feather|feather-health}}: Instead of filling out a German form at the health insurance, you can simply reach out to Feather's signup services, get '''free advice''' and counselling in English and fill out an '''English form'''.
 +
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* [https://www.tk.de/en TK (formerly: Techniker)] – {{AffLink|English signup service|signup.tk}}
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* [https://en.zuwanderer.aok.de/home/ AOK] – {{AffLink|English signup service|signup.aok}}
 +
* [https://www.dak.de/dak/english-2082268.html DAK] – {{AffLink|English signup service|signup.dak}}
 +
* [https://www.barmer.de/en Barmer] –  {{AffLink|English signup service|signup.barmer}}
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* [https://allaboutberlin.com/calculators/health-insurance Health insurance calculator] that shows what you can have, and how much you must pay.
  
 
=== Private ===
 
=== Private ===
 +
 +
Private options vary a lot by their coverage and their rates – often very much depending on your age and health status.
 +
 +
* {{AffLink|Feather|feather-health}} offers a private insurance with  English support. Consultation is free.
 +
* {{AffLink|Foyer Global Health|foyer-global-health}} speaks English, too, and can give you '''instantly a quote on their website''', so you know immediately what rates to expect.
 +
* {{AffLink|Ottonova|ottonova}} is a new, fully English-speaking option. You can get '''free consultation''', without any signing up.
 +
* [https://berlincheap.com/private-healthcare/ English translated calculator] by ''BerlinCheap.com'': Enter your details + contact and get a quote from various insurance options.
 +
* [https://thegermanyeye.com/germany_health_insurance_comparison Private health insurance comparison tool] allows you to compare what other expatriates are paying for their coverage.
  
 
== More guides ==
 
== More guides ==
 +
* [https://berlincheap.com/healthcare/ Comparison of German Health Insurance Options] by ''BerlinCheap.com''
 +
* [https://allaboutberlin.com/guides/german-health-insurance How to choose German health insurance] by ''allaboutberlin.com''
 +
* [https://www.settle-in-berlin.com/health-insurance-germany/ Health insurance in Germany] by ''settle-in-berlin.com''
 +
* [https://www.howtogermany.com/pages/healthinsurance.html Health Insurance Options in Germany - 2020] by ''howtogermany.com''
 +
* [https://thegermanyeye.com/private-health-insurance-in-germany---pros-and-cons-3626 Pros and Cons of Private vs Public German Health Insurance] by ''thegermanyeye.com''
 +
* [https://germanyso.com/en/how-to-germany/healthcare/what-to-expect-from-health-care/ What to expect from German healthcare] by ''Germanyso''
 +
 +
{{Notes}}

Latest revision as of 12:41, 8 May 2023

The German health care system is divided into 2 branches

  • public healthcare
  • private healthcare

Your first decision is to pick one of them.

How to find the right German health insurance for me?[edit]

In many cases, you don't have a choice: For instance when you are employed and make less than around 60,750 € EUR per year (gross), you must pick the public system.

Here's a list of "simple" cases. If your case if more complicated, read a guide listed below.

Simple cases[edit]

Employed in a regular job[edit]

If you are

  • part- or full-time employed
  • earn less than 60,750 € gross per year

you must take the public option.

Student under 30[edit]

If you are a student at an

  • Universität (university) or
  • Fachhochschule (University of Applied Sciences)

then the public option is almost always the cheapest choice (~100€/month).

Student who needs a visa[edit]

In this case, you probably also need a Blocked Account (Sperrkonto). There are interesting combined offers of both a Blocked Account and Health insurance, check a here a comparison of health insurance packages.

(Young) freelancer from outside EU & EEA[edit]

If you are:

  • young (under 30)
  • freelancer / self-employed
  • from outside EU & EEA (European Economic Area)
  • plan to stay only a few years in Germany

then likely the private option is cheaper.

Freelance artists and publicists[edit]

You might qualify for the Künstlersozialkasse. They pay half of your health insurance and public pension insurance. It costs nothing, so it's really worth it. It just takes a lot of paperwork.

Setup an insurance option[edit]

General[edit]

  • Feather[1] is a Berlin-based, fully English-speaking option. They can advise you both about public and private health insurance and will find the best matching option for you. A consultation is free.

Public[edit]

There are several public health insurance options. They do not differ so much in their price/rates because they are regulated by law: You always pay around 16% of your income.

So you rather want to choose them by the features they offer. For expats, options with an English speaking service are a big bonus – so with English information.

Besides, there is also a very helpful and free signup service from Feather[1]: Instead of filling out a German form at the health insurance, you can simply reach out to Feather's signup services, get free advice and counselling in English and fill out an English form.

Private[edit]

Private options vary a lot by their coverage and their rates – often very much depending on your age and health status.

  • Feather[1] offers a private insurance with English support. Consultation is free.
  • Foyer Global Health[1] speaks English, too, and can give you instantly a quote on their website, so you know immediately what rates to expect.
  • Ottonova[1] is a new, fully English-speaking option. You can get free consultation, without any signing up.
  • English translated calculator by BerlinCheap.com: Enter your details + contact and get a quote from various insurance options.
  • Private health insurance comparison tool allows you to compare what other expatriates are paying for their coverage.

More guides[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 This is an affiliate link. If you click on it and then buy something or sign up for a service, we may earn a commission which covers our expenses. This does not change the price for you.