Health insurance in Germany
The German health care system is divided into 2 branches
- public healthcare
- private healthcare
Generally speaking, you need 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).
(Young) freelancer from outside EU/EEA
If you are:
- young (under 30)
- freelancer / self-employed
- from outside EU/EEA
- plan to stay only a few years in Germany
then likely the private option is cheaper.
Setup an insurance option
Public
There are several public heal insurance options. Their prices are regulated by law, so you rather can choose them by the features they offer. Here are some with English information:
Private
Private options vary a lot by their coverage and their rates – often very much depending on your age and health status.
- Ottonova is a new, fully English-speaking option. They give you a free consultation.
- English translated calculator by BerlinCheap.com: Enter your details + contact and get a quote from various insurance options.
More guides
- Public and private health insurance in Germany: how to choose? by allaboutberlin.com
- Health insurance in Germany by settle-in-berlin.com