Difference between revisions of "Germany/Insurance/Health"
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then likely the [[#Private|private option]] is cheaper. | then likely the [[#Private|private option]] is cheaper. | ||
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| + | === 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 == | ||
Revision as of 14:38, 4 August 2022
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?
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
Employed in a regular job
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
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
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
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
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
General
- 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
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.
- TK (formerly: Techniker) – English signup service[1]
- AOK – English signup service[1]
- DAK – English signup service[1]
- Barmer – English signup service[1]
- Health insurance calculator that shows what you can have, and how much you must pay.
Private
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
- Comparison of German Health Insurance Options by BerlinCheap.com
- How to choose German health insurance by allaboutberlin.com
- Health insurance in Germany by settle-in-berlin.com
- Health Insurance Options in Germany - 2020 by howtogermany.com
- Pros and Cons of Private vs Public German Health Insurance by thegermanyeye.com
- What to expect from German healthcare by GoodLifeGermany
Notes