On this page
This guide covers the basic obligation. The income threshold, contribution rates and family-insurance rules were not on the official pages we read, so ask an insurer for those.
At a glance
- Obligation
- Mandatory for residents
- Employees
- Usually statutory, costs shared equally
- Students
- Home cover often recognised
- Long-term care
- Included with statutory cover
Your checklist
First steps
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Statutory and private insurance
Germany has both statutory and private health insurance. Unemployment benefit recipients are generally covered by statutory insurance.
Statutory members are automatically covered by statutory long-term care insurance. Privately insured people must take out private compulsory long-term care insurance.
Why an EHIC is not enough for a permanent move
An EHIC supports temporary stays. EURAXESS notes that a national EHIC becomes invalid once German social-security contributions are due, so do not rely on it after you start working in Germany.
When you leave Germany
Tell your health insurer in good time. Cover may end automatically, or you may need to prove that you have other health insurance.
What this guide does not cover
The pages we read do not state the consequences of being uninsured, the employee income threshold, contribution rates or the rules for insuring family members. Check these with an insurer or the official sources it points to.
For your address and tax ID, see the Anmeldung and tax ID guides.
Common questions
Is health insurance mandatory in Germany?
Yes. The European Consumer Centre Germany says it is mandatory, and EURAXESS says everyone residing in Germany must be insured with an authorised German provider.
Do employees choose between statutory and private insurance?
Most employees must be in statutory insurance. Those with regular income above a threshold can usually choose, but the threshold figure was not on the official page we read.
Do students need German health insurance?
Students need health insurance. Home-country cover is often recognised from the EU/EEA, Switzerland, the UK and some agreement countries, and universities usually want a status notification from a German statutory insurer.
Is long-term care insurance included?
Statutory members are automatically covered by statutory long-term care insurance. Privately insured people must take out private compulsory long-term care insurance.
What should I do if I leave Germany?
Tell your health insurer in good time. Cover may end automatically, or you may need to prove other cover.
Official sources
Read this first
- European Consumer Centre Germany: insurance in GermanyObligation, statutory and private cover, students, long-term care and leaving Germany
- EURAXESS Germany: health insuranceInsurance contract law since 2009, employees and EHIC limits
Rules can vary by nationality, work or study status, and city. Confirm your route with the official authority before you act.