In the past few years, Germany has become a popular destination for people looking to migrate, and there are several reasons behind this. It has an excellent economy that offers many growth opportunities for professionals. It has a perfect education system that allows people to pursue various careers paths in different fields.

There are many employment opportunities, a rich and friendly culture, and much more to look forward to. However, before you can emigrate, you need to meet specific requirements first. This includes proving your financial stability, proficiency in the German language, and health insurance for foreigners in Germany.

Expat Health Insurance Germany

Having health insurance is an essential prerequisite for obtaining residency in Germany. In some cases, you could rely on your existing health insurance plan. For instance, if you belong to any of the countries in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Morocco, Montenegro, Tunisia, Switzerland, Israel, Turkey, and a few other countries, your health insurance plan will be valid in Germany as well as travel insurance.

You will have to show your insurance card, and the hospital will handle the rest. However, make sure you check the extent of coverage your insurance company offers in other countries. If they don’t cover certain medical services and treatments, you will have to opt for additional expat insurance in Germany.

Health Insurance Plans in Germany

Showing proof of adequate health insurance is necessary when applying for a German visa. If your home country’s health insurance is not acceptable, you will have to opt for one of the health insurance plans available in Germany.

There are two options for expat health insurance in Germany: public health insurance and private health insurance. Half of your health insurance contributions come from your employer, and half of the amount is contributed by you. However, this does not mean that your employer gets to choose which health insurance plan you get. That is entirely up to you.

Public Health Insurance

Public health insurance in Germany is a state-subsidized insurance scheme. Almost 90% of the residents use this insurance plan. Whether you are an EU national, it is compulsory to have state health insurance when working in Germany. This is also known as gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV.

Other than that, employed individuals, including trainees and apprentices, and have an annual salary of less than €64,350, are also covered by state health insurance. In some instances, such state-insured individuals’ spouses and civil partners can also use their health insurance for free. Children till the age of 23 or 25 in the case they are studying can also benefit from their parents’ public health insurance.

The state also covers health insurance for individuals who are on a pension or have registered their unemployment. For employees, the monthly health insurance contribution is usually between €180 and €450 per month.

For freelancers, it can be between €200 and €895 per month. International students usually have to pay around €110 on average. However, if you are a student above 30 years, your monthly contribution goes to about €180 per month. If you are planning to migrate to Germany, health insurance is a must.

Since it matches your income, it can be a much more economical option when you’re earning low. It covers your dependents under certain conditions. The whole process is relatively straightforward, and you don’t have to pay extra if you have pre-existing conditions.

Private Health Insurance

The other option for expat insurance in Germany is private health insurance. This industry consists of many private health insurance providers, so you have lots of choices and can get customized insurance plans.

If you are an employee and earn less than €64,350, you are automatically subjected to state health insurance. However, if you earn more than €64,350 or if you meet a few other conditions, you have the option of choosing private health insurance as well.

For instance, if you are self-employed, a civil servant, a student, or a doctor, you have the option of choosing between public or private health insurance. Private health insurance in Germany comes with certain benefits as well as drawbacks.

Private health insurance can be a better option if you are young, healthy, and don’t suffer from severe medical conditions. Private health insurance also offers more coverage and a higher quality of treatments. However, this insurance plan can also be quite costly if you have a family to insure or suffer from medical conditions.

Final Thoughts

While it can seem a bit confusing now, you will come to realize that Germany’s healthcare system is one of the most organized, comprehensive, and overall best healthcare systems in the world. Whichever type of insurance you choose, you will be guaranteed quality healthcare services and peace of mind.

Get in touch with MW Expat Solution Services GmbH for a detailed consultation about health insurance and moving to Germany.