Germany/Insurance/Health

Don't want to figure this out on your own? Then contact our free service CleverExpat for advice.

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.

Setup an insurance option

General

• Feather 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 Popsure*: Instead of filling out a German form at the health insurance, you can simply reach out to Popsure's SignupTK or SignupAOK, get free advice and counselling in English and fill out an English form.

• TK (formerly: Techniker) is said to have the best English speaking service.
  • SignupTK.de – free English sign-up service
• AOK
  • SignupAOK.de*
• DAK
  • SignupDAK.de*
• Barmer
  • SignupBarmer.de*

Private

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

• Feather offers a private insurance with English support. Consultation is free.
• Foyer Global Health speaks English, too, and can give you instantly a quote on their website, so you know immediately what rates to expect.
• Ottonova 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
• Public and private health insurance in Germany: how to choose? 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