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Clarify purpose and length of stay first
For visits and short stays, incoming insurance is enough. For work and a permanent residence, you need full German health insurance. This choice decides everything that follows.
Private health insurance for foreigners in Germany
If you move to Germany or work here, you need health insurance. It is also a requirement for your visa. Which solution fits depends on your origin, the length of your stay and your status.
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Important tips for foreigners in Germany
A switch to private health insurance needs careful thought. The most important points before you decide.
Real cases from our advice
Real situations that show how individual the right solution is.
Skilled worker from the EU
Employed with a salary above the Versicherungspflichtgrenze , direct entry into private full cover. The previous insurance from the home country made acceptance easier.
Student from a non-EU country
Started with incoming insurance, then switched to student health insurance in Germany. The deadlines were clarified before entry.
Self-employed person with previous private insurance
Privately insured in the home country, so a direct route into private health insurance in Germany. We first checked whether the existing policy remains valid here.
Incoming insurance or full cover?
For a temporary stay, incoming insurance is usually enough. For work and a permanent residence, you need full German health insurance.
| Criterion | Incoming insurance | Private full cover |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Temporary stays, visits, job search, start of studies from countries outside the European Economic Area | Permanent residence and work in Germany |
| Term | A maximum of five years, an extension beyond that is not possible | Unlimited, the contract stays with you permanently |
| Benefits | Medically necessary treatment, emergency care, transport, differences between providers, for example for repatriation | Contractually guaranteed benefits of your choice, from basic cover to chief physician treatment |
| Taking it out | A passport is enough, the premium depends on age and length of stay | Health questions and a status check, premium based on age at entry, health and scope of benefits |
Which insurance by status and origin?
An overview based on the common situations in our advice. In each individual case, residence status, previous insurance and income decide.
| Status | Origin | Suitable route | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visitors and job seekers | EU and agreement countries | European Health Insurance Card | Emergency care, apply before you leave |
| Visitors and temporary stays | Non-EU countries | Incoming insurance | A maximum of five years, a visa requirement |
| Employed in Germany | All countries | Compulsory statutory insurance or, above the salary threshold, private insurance | Registration through your employer |
| Self-employed in Germany | All countries | Statutory or private, depending on previous insurance | Check whether your existing policy is valid in Germany |
How much does private health insurance cost for foreigners in Germany?
The costs depend on the route you choose. Incoming plans are graded by age and length of stay and are much cheaper than full cover, but they only cover what is medically necessary. Private full cover costs the same as for German residents, from around €400 per month depending on the scope of benefits. Employees receive half from their employer, up to the maximum employer contribution. Age at entry, health status and scope of benefits are decisive.
What does incoming insurance cost?
The premium depends mainly on your date of birth and the length of your stay. It is much lower than full cover. What matters is the minimum cover of €30,000 for the visa and validity in the whole Schengen area. Comparing pays off, because benefits such as medical repatriation differ from provider to provider.
What does private full cover cost?
Comfort plans start at about €400 per month, premium plans at around €600. As an employee, your employer pays half of the premium up to the maximum employer contribution of €508.59. Self-employed people pay the premium alone, but it does not depend on income.
When do I have to join a statutory health insurance fund?
If you work as an employee in Germany and your regular annual pay stays below the Versicherungspflichtgrenze, you are compulsorily insured. Your employer handles the registration. Posted workers and seasonal workers, on the other hand, often stay insured through their home country.
How can I reduce my premiums?
In full cover, a suitable scope of benefits, a deductible and later an internal plan change help. With incoming insurance, a realistic term lowers the price. A term that is too short causes problems later, however, because an extension beyond five years is not possible.
Example calculationEmployed · income above the Versicherungspflichtgrenze · full cover
| Parameter | Current status (statutory) | Target status (private) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | €1,017.19 | €500 | −€517 |
| Employer contribution | €508.59 | €250 | −€259 |
| Own share, gross | €508.59 | €250 | −€259 |
| Total annual costs (own share) | around €6,100 | €3,000 | −€3,100 |
Sample calculation for private full cover based on average plans. Incoming plans are calculated separately by age and length of stay. Individual factors such as health status and choice of plan affect the result.
Top plans compared
Three levels of benefits, so you cover exactly what matters to you.
Incoming Schutz
fromindividual/ month
- ✓Temporary cover for up to five years
- ✓Medically necessary treatment, emergencies and transport
- ✓Meets the visa requirements in the Schengen area
Komfort Schutz
from€400/ month
- ✓Full cover with high-quality medical benefits
- ✓Dental, check-ups and rehab above statutory level
- ✓Free choice of doctor
Premium Schutz
from€600/ month
- ✓Complete package with chief physician treatment and high reimbursement rates
- ✓Highest reimbursement, also for alternative healing methods
- ✓Extensive cover for a permanent stay
All prices are example calculations for a 30-year-old employee without pre-existing conditions.
Which benefits matter for foreigners in Germany?
Popular benefit modules you can choose in your private health insurance.
Dental treatment and dentures
Private health insurance should cover at least 80% of high costs for dental treatment, crowns, implants and other dentures.
Chief physician treatment and single room
Often a cost driver: how important are these benefits to you? This is a personal decision.
Preventive check-ups
Private health insurance should reimburse the important preventive check-ups without restrictions.
Medical repatriation
Transport and repatriation, including to your home country, should be covered. With incoming plans, providers differ clearly on this point.
Worldwide cover
Your cover should apply worldwide and include travel. For the visa, at least €30,000 of cover in the whole Schengen area is required.
Medical aids
Private health insurance should pay for medically necessary aids such as hearing aids, bandages or orthopedic insoles.
Accommodation and optional benefits
Single or two-bed room and optional medical benefits, depending on the comfort you want in hospital.
Save up to 25% on your private health insurance
We compare the entire market and find the plan with the best balance of benefits and stable premiums.
The essentials of private health insurance in 10 minutes
We show you what you should know before switching to private health insurance.
- Explained step by step
- Each lesson also as a short video (in German)
- Short and to the point
1. Who is private health insurance right for?
When private health insurance makes sense2. What are the requirements for joining?
Requirements for private health insurance3. What should you know about the health questions?
Health questions explained4. How high are the costs in old age?
Private health insurance in old age5. What are the key differences between statutory and private?
Statutory and private compared6. How does the switch to private health insurance work?
Switching to private health insurance7. What to do about a premium adjustment?
Premium adjustments in private health insurance8. Which benefits matter most?
Benefits of private health insurance 1 / 8
Swipe, drag or use the arrows Frequently asked questions
Do I already need health insurance for the visa?
Yes. Proof of insurance is a requirement for the visa. You need cover with a minimum of €30,000 that applies in the whole Schengen area.
How long can I use incoming insurance?
For a maximum of five years, and with some providers for a shorter time. After that, an extension is not possible. At the latest then, you need full German health insurance.
Can I switch to private health insurance directly as a foreigner?
Yes, if your status allows it, that is as a self-employed person, as an employee above the Versicherungspflichtgrenze or as a student with an exemption. Documented previous insurance makes acceptance easier. In some cases, the insurer even waives a medical examination before the application.
Useful articles for foreigners in Germany
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Switching to private health insurance is probably not advisable for you.
From the age of 55, admission to private health insurance is often possible only with restrictions. A late switch can also mean higher premiums.
It matters to us that a switch pays off for you in the long run. That is why we do not recommend a consultation when your answers already show that the conditions are rather unfavorable.
Not sure, or want to correct your answers? Feel free to contact us. We will help you assess your situation.
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