What to know about health insurance in Germany
In Germany, there are two separate but equivalent health insurance systems.
Public and private. Both meet the requirements for a visa.
Click here to see a detailed comparison
Key facts of Public Health Insurance
- Based on the principle of solidarity
- Contribution is based on your income
- Everybody can join - no health check
- Family insurance free of charge
- Provides adequate medical care in Germany
- Limited coverage in Europe. No worldwide coverage
Our Recommendation for Public Health Insurance: TK
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Largest and best known insurance provider in Germany -
Provides English speaking service to its clients
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Multiple award-winning benefits and services
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Lower contributions compared to other providers
Calculate your contribution
Employed
Self-employed
Student
Intern / Trainee
If you are in good health and do not have dependents to cover, private health insurance could be a better option for you. Click here to compare prices.
What is covered with TK
General
| Dependents coverage | No extra cost |
| Int. coverage and repatriation | X |
| Sick pay allowance | Partially covered |
| Transportation | ✓ |
Outpatient
| General/Specialist doctor visits | ✓ |
| Private doctor visits | X |
| Medicines and bandages | 90% |
| Vaccinations | ✓ |
Inpatient
| Free choice of doctor | Only doctor on duty |
| Accomodation | Multi-bed room |
| Choice of hospital | Only public hospitals |
| ㅤ | ㅤ |
Dental
| Orthodontics | 80% - 100% |
| Dental treatment/checkups | ✓ |
| Dental cleanings | Only for children |
| Dentures and inlays | 50% |
Treatment & Therapies
| Therapeutic measures | 90% (limited sessions) |
| Medical aids | 75% - 90% |
| Preventive care treatments | ✓ (restricted range) |
| Alternative practitioner | X |
| Psychotherapy | 75% (Max. 50 sessions) |
Eyes
| Vision aids | Only for children |
| Refractive eye surgery | X |
| ㅤ | ㅤ |
| ㅤ | ㅤ |
| ㅤ | ㅤ |
Comparison of the public and the private health insurance system
Two equal healthcare systems that work in very different ways.
is based on the principle of solidarity. Generally, all family members of a common household are covered free of charge by the main member's contribution if there is no other income. Medical care can be availed in Germany and partly in Europe. For a membership health status does not matter. Premiums and benefits which must only be adequate and sufficient are subject to German legislation. The contribution is based on your salary, the more you earn, the more you pay.
Main benefits of public HI:
- • Dependents coverage free of charge if no other income
- • Flexibility, option to switch from public to private HI after two entire months as long as your salary is above the threshold and your health status remains good
- • Contribution will be adjusted in case your income situation changes
- • Retirement, public HI is usually cheaper than private when you retire because the contributions are adjusted to your new income
- • Payment, easy handling between doctor and insurance company, no administrative effort for the insured person
Main disadvantages of public HI:
- • Long waiting times for doctor's appointments
- • Only sufficient coverage for outpatient and inpatient treatments
- • Multi-Bed-Room accommodation in hospital and treatment by the doctor on duty
- • More expensive in many situations
- • The level of medical care can be reduced at any time according to government regulations.
covers all members individually. The range of benefits can be selected from a variety of tariffs. The coverage is granted worldwide and includes free choice of doctors, hospitals and dentists. Compared to public health insurance the contributions for an individual are usually much lower with better coverage at the same time. The contributions depend on your age, health condition and the chosen tariff. Your state of health can have an effect on the contribution or even lead to a rejection of the application.
Main benefits of private HI:
- • Better coverage for outpatient and dental care. Private room and senior consultant in hospital.
- • Significantly shorter waiting times for doctor's appointments
- • Lower contribution, especially when you are single and in good health
- • Agreed benefits are fixed and cannot be reduced after opting for the insurance
- • Possibility to switch between different tariffs to meet your needs
- • Cashback if you do not claim anything during the year
Main disadvantages of Private HI:
- • Switching to public health insurance is virtually impossible.
- • Could be more expensive in retirement
- • Less favorable if traditional family planning is pursued in the future (one earner + children) – more expensive than public in this case
- • More administrative work, invoices must be sent to the insurance company to receive reimbursement
Why CAPE?
Best pre-selected coverage
Choose one of the best tariffs on the market.
Easy claims settlement
Would you like to report a damage? Contact us. We will take care of it.
Personal support
Your personal advisor is always at your side.
Listen to Nick
Let our virtual assistant Nick explain to you the public health insurance system in detail:
Call CAPE
+49 (0) 2272 937 41 02
Write CAPE
contact@cape-insurance.com
Frequently asked questions
Once we have all the details, a membership can be set up and confirmed in line with visa requirements in a few minutes. Even if you are abroad.
Click here to see a comparison of the public & private health insurance system
Yes, the pension number is automatically applied for by the health insurance fund and sent to your German home address. Just sit and wait..
Yes, the card will automatically be sent to your German home address. If we receive a photo of you in advance, it will be included immediately.
As soon as your membership is confirmed, you're immediately eligible to see a physician without any delay. Just find a local doctor who communicates in the language you're most comfortable with and schedule your visit either by phone online. Always bring your health card to the doctor as you will be asked for it. This is the only item you'll need to provide. Typically, there's no need for any form of payment at the time of the visit.
Yes, your wife and children can be co-insured free of charge up to the age of 18 if they do not have an income of more than €535 per month.
If you are employed, your insurance premiums will be automatically deducted from your salary. By law, your employer is obligated to cover half of your insurance premium, with the remaining half being taken out of your monthly earnings. If you're self-employed, a student, or unemployed, you'll need to provide an IBAN for the purpose of setting up automatic monthly deductions for your insurance payments.
Public health insurance covers you for outpatient, inpatient and dental treatments. Nevertheless, some of the benefits are not sufficient and it is strongly recommended that you take out additional private insurance, for example in the dental sector.
Yes. Premiums may increase as they are proportionally linked to the insured individual's income growth. Moreover, the income ceiling that determines the highest contribution bracket is typically adjusted upwards annually.