Health Insurance in Germany

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Revision as of 13:47, 11 October 2020 by Jorges (talk | contribs) (Add General.)
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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 you 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.

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


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