All German citizens and residents, as well as tourists, are required to carry health insurance. Germany has one of the greatest healthcare systems in the world. Health insurance is required in Germany when applying for a Schengen visa. Along with your visa application, you must show proof of travel insurance.
A private health insurance firm must provide you with Germany Schengen visa travel insurance. You can get health insurance from a local company in your nation or buy it online. You must obtain travel health insurance that meets the Schengen visa criteria.
Who needs health insurance in Germany?
The German healthcare system requires that every German resident (citizen or expatriate) have proper health insurance. Even if you are from an EU/EEA nation or are not required to obtain a German visa, you may still need to purchase travel insurance at the German border.
The costs of healthcare for certain third-country nationals can be prohibitively high, and having travel health insurance can significantly lower the cost of any medical problems that may emerge. Besides, travel insurance covers more than just medical expenses. Schengen travel insurance coverage can cover things like trip cancellation, aircraft delays, and personal item loss, etc.
The most crucial fact to remember is that the German healthcare system is compulsory. Every month, all nationals and temporary residents in Germany must pay for health insurance. In Germany, the cost of health insurance is determined by your earnings and employment situation. Regardless of whether you have public or private health insurance. In most circumstances, you don’t really have a choice: for the vast majority of people, public health insurance is the only option.
Health Insurance for EU Nationals Traveling to Germany
If you are visiting Germany from another EU or EEA member state, you can use your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Your EHIC will grant you the same access to basic health care in Germany as German citizens. However, because the EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance, you will almost certainly need to acquire a private travel insurance plan as well.
Requirements for German Travel Health Insurance
Temporary visitors to Germany, like German residents, must get health insurance coverage. Due to the fact that Germany is a Schengen country, travellers must obtain travel health insurance that is in compliance with Schengen standards.
As a result, German travel health insurance must meet the following requirements:
- It must cover other Schengen Area countries.
- It must provide at least €30,000 in coverage per individual.
- It must cover the duration of your stay as well as transportation.
- It must cover any unexpected medical costs, like urgent medical attention, emergency hospitalisation, repatriation, etc.
What is covered by Germany Travel Insurance?
What you want to be covered by your Germany travel insurance depends on the plan you select, however, most policies include coverage for the following:
- Medical treatment – most Schengen travel insurance plans cover doctor consultations, emergency care, hospitalisation, surgery, prescription medications, etc.
- Missed flight – if you miss your flight due to no fault of your own (for example, the airline rescheduled or had a delay), your insurance company will reimburse you for any fees incurred.
- Cancelled journey – your travel may be cancelled, interrupted, or shortened. If your trip is cancelled or interrupted due to unforeseen circumstances, you will be reimbursed for any lost travel and/or lodging expenditures. Which explanations are admissible for compensation depends on the company or travel insurance plan you choose.
- Possessions that have been lost, stolen, or damaged.
- In the cause of death, the remains are repatriated (expenses for funerals are included).
- It’s a case of hijacking.
What does the Schengen travel health insurance not cover?
- Medical conditions that have existed previously.
- Medical incidents are the result of alcohol drinking.
- Accidents that occur as a result of participating in risky sports.
- Maternity and pregnancy – normal pregnancy expenses, such as giving delivery, general check-ups, and morning sickness, are not covered by travel insurance plans. There are plans that cover the complications of pregnancy.
If you pay more, you might be able to get coverage for some of the aforementioned incidents, such as injuries caused by dangerous sports or the sudden emergence of a pre-existing condition.
Public and Private German health insurance
Public German health insurance
Almost everyone who resides in Germany for an extended period of time is required to enrol in public health insurance. The following are some things to keep in mind with German public health insurance:
- The amount you pay in monthly payments to the German public health insurance system is determined by your income.
- Just because someone has a higher salary does not guarantee they have better coverage. Regardless of their wealth or age, everyone is covered equally.
- Unlike private health insurance, prices do not rise with age. Older citizens/residents do not pay more than someone younger. In fact, you will have to pay even if you are retired.
- If you work, your employer will cover half of your contributions and take the other half from your earnings. As a result, your health insurance takes up about 7% to 8% of your salary.
- If your income is above a certain amount (appx. € 59,000 per year), then you can opt out of public health insurance and obtain private health insurance instead. You must have public health insurance if your yearly income is less than € 59,000.
- Your dependents can be covered on your own policy – if you have children or if your spouse is unemployed (or has a low income), you can cover them for free on your own health insurance.
Private German health insurance
Individuals with an income higher than € 59,000 (This amount is subject to change based on new legislatures in Germany, and should only be considered an estimate) per year can choose to obtain health insurance from a German private health insurance company rather than a public one. Some characteristics of private health insurance in Germany are:
- Private health insurance companies usually charge people who are older more due to the rising risk of health problems.
- Some companies may refuse to cover any conditions that existed before you purchased the policy.
- May be less expensive for the young and healthy. If you have a high income, private health insurance in Germany is usually a less expensive option since it functions much like private health insurance in all other countries: you have to purchase a policy and you get what you pay for.
- If you have already opted out of public insurance, then they are not obligated to accept you unless your income has suddenly dropped below € 59,000.
- If you want to be insured by a German private health insurance company, then you have to select a plan which has the desired amount of health coverage for your needs. The more you want to be covered, and the lower your deductible is, the more you will have to pay.
- Freelancers have to pay their entire contribution themselves, private health insurance may be the better and cheaper option for freelancers.
How much does health insurance in Germany cost?
The cost of German travel health insurance is determined by age and the number of things you add to your insurance as well as the type of health insurance you have and your employment status.
Insurance is usually more expensive for older people. Also, you can choose how much you wish to be covered. The more items you add to your cart, the more you’ll have to pay. When looking for travel health insurance in Germany, you may discover that many insurers charge per day. As a result, the longer you plan to stay, the higher your costs will be. Bear in mind that cheaper plans frequently have a lot of gaps in coverage.
Cost of public health insurance in Germany for employees
If you are insured with a public health insurance company, you have to pay 14.6% to 15.6% of your salary in contributions per month (you pay half, your employer pays half). The minimum you have to pay is € 180, whereas the maximum is around € 400. Even if your salary is higher than € 59,000, you will not pay more than the maximum amount.
Cost of public health insurance in Germany for freelancers
As a freelancer, you have to pay the entire cost of your contributions (14.6% to 15.6% of your income). In this case, the maximum amount you may have to pay is about € 800 per month. Even if you make more than € 59,000 per year, you won’t have to pay higher than the maximum amount.
Cost of private health insurance in Germany
If you are employed, your employer has to cover half of your health insurance contributions, even if you have private health insurance. The prices of private health insurance plans depend on the amount of coverage you want, your age (the older you are, the more you pay) and if you have any pre-existing problems or health issues.
