How to get health insurance in Germany? : A complete guide

While moving to Germany, How to get health insurance in Germany is the basic question that arises in every student’s mind. Health insurance is very important for everyone.

What is health insurance and why it is needed?

Health insurance is one of the types of insurance that covers the expenses that are related to illness, hospitalization, medical expense, or doctor’s consultation charges. In simple terms, health insurance consists of customers paying a monthly fee to the insurance company to protect them from sudden financial loss during expected or unexpected health-related issues.

According to the law of Germany, everyone needs to have health insurance including international students.  It helps students to cover their medical and illness charges when needed. It is very important to have health insurance as in the time of need it helps to protect you from financial loss.

The health insurance system in Germany

There are three types of health insurance in Germany:-

• Government-regulated public health insurance system (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV)
• Private health insurance from a German or international insurance company (Private Krankenversicherung, PKV)
• Combination of the two that supplements coverage that is not included in your public health insurance policy

The Law of Germany states that every resident including international students, researchers, and scientists must have a contract with an insurance provider that provides at least the minimum level of coverage support.

How to get health insurance in Germany?

• Public health insurance

The government of Germany runs the Public health care system. The enormous bulk of the population is registered in the public healthcare insurance system. A discounted and fixed amount payable by the students (for students aged 23-30) is 106.93 EUR/month. However, the typical amount for other employed people is 7.3% of their gross income. Though public insurance plans from the home country are valid in Germany for international students from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iceland, Israel, Liechtenstein, Morocco, Macedonia, Montenegro, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Tunisia, and Turkey. There are many providers of this insurance in Germany. The amount of basic coverage is always the same.

What does public health insurance in Germany cover for students?

• In-patient (hospital) care as a ward patient
• Out-patient care from a general practitioner or medical specialist (such as a cardiologist)
• Prescription drugs
• Basic dental care

Some public health insurance institutions are:-

1. TK – Techniker Krankenkasse
2. AOK Baden Württemberg
3. Barmer
4. KKH – Kaufmännische Krankenkasse

• Private health insurance

In Germany, you can also go for private health insurance. However, only 10% of the people are registered under this insurance type. People registered under private health care insurance have a greater choice of doctors and hospitals as they can go to both public healthcare doctors and private-only doctors. They may also experience shorter waiting timings and can speak to doctors they are comfortable with within their native language. But the healthcare system in Germany is very good so most people don’t feel a huge difference between the two.

Eligibility

• earn over €60,750 per year
• earn under €450 per month
• Freelancer (self-employed)
• A civil servant (insurance is subsidized by employer)

Some Private health insurance organizations are:-

1. Educare24
2. AON Student Insurance
3. AXA Global Health Care

Health insurance is an important part while living in Germany for all residents, including researchers and scientists coming from abroad. Students can choose one from private and public health insurance according to their preferences.

Read more at How To Abroad:

Health Insurance for International Students in Germany

Five Insurance Policies that you can avail while living in Germany

Want to study in Germany? How To Abroad can help you achieve your academic dreams.

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