The German health insurance system
Every resident of Germany is legally required to have health insurance. By law, you must have a health insurance plan (called a Krankenkasse in German) that provides at least the minimum level of coverage.
Unless you have insurance, foreigners won’t be allowed into Germany at any cost. No matter whether you’re a foreign student, a foreign scientist or researcher, a foreign worker, a refugee, or an asylum seeker, this applies to you. Both your intention and the length of your stay will not matter.
When you live in Germany, you have three options for health insurance: government-regulated Public Health Insurance (GKV), private health insurance from a German Insurance Company (PKV), or a combination of the two that supplements coverage not included in your public health insurance policy.
The German public health insurance system is known as Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV), which translates to ‘statutory health insurance’, and around 90 percent of the population is covered by it. You are required to enroll under a public, statutory health insurance scheme if your gross salary is less than €66,600 per year(2023) and you may choose an insurance provider.
Health Insurance in Germany – when should I get it?
Those who have moved to Germany to work from another country in the EU should obtain German health insurance as soon as possible after arriving and registering to live in Germany. Germany offers a short grace period from your registration date, and your employer will be able to guide you through the process.
Public health coverage in Germany – how to get it ?
The first step in getting registered is to talk to your employer, even if you have already received a job offer. However, you can pick your own provider and do not have to go with that chosen by your employer.
Germany’s largest health insurers are TK, AOK , Barmer, DAK. These companies provide good English language websites despite there being over 100 of them (a complete list can be found here).
A provider may offer slightly different rates and incentives, such as cashback if you stop smoking or do fitness activities regularly, so do your research and see what your options are.
A health insurance provider will issue you an insurance card, called a Gesundheitskarte in German. You must present your insurance card each time you see a doctor, as it contains a chip that stores your personal information.
How much does it cost
According to the Federal Health Insurance Act, you contribute between 14.6% and 15.6% of your salary to public health insurance in Germany (e.g., you contribute 7.3%, and your employer matches the rest). Your minimum contribution is €180/month, while the maximum is around €€706,28/Month + additional contribution of up to 1.7% + compulsory nursing care contribution of 3.05% (or 3.3% if you do not have children) for the year 2021 , regardless of whether your Paycheck increases.
Public health insurance – what does it cover?
- In-patient (hospital) care as a ward patient
- out-patient care from a general practitioner or medical specialist (such as a cardiologist)
- prescription drugs
- pregnancy care
- Rehabilitation(home care or physiotherapy)
- Health checks from the age of 35
- Cancer screening
- Basic dental care
- Employee sick note
- Statutory Sick Pay when the employer’s duty to pay it is over (up to 90 percent of your net salary)
- Medicines, dressings, therapies, and aids such as hearing aids or wheelchairs
As an added benefit, under your plan, you will have no extra charges for all non-working dependents, including your spouse, civil partner, and children (up to a specified age). All they need to do is be registered with the same health insurance company as the paying member.
Even though public healthcare insurance in Germany includes a wide range of services, additional services may require additional payment, so make sure you know what you are covered for. For example, Dental insurance covers basic dental care, but more appealing teeth cleaning may be charged separately.
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