Your public health insurance application
Insurance provider: TK
Occupation
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Annual Gross Income
No Data
Number of Children
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Age
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per month
Proceed
Insurance Module

General

Dependents coverage
i
✓ (no extra cost)
Worldwide coverage / repatriation
i
✗
Sick pay allowance
i
✓
Transportation
i
✓

At the doctor

General / Specialist doctor visits
i
✓
Private doctor visits
i
✗
Medicines and bandages
i
✓ (90%)
Vaccinations
i
✓

In hospital

Free choice of doctor
i
✗ (doctor on duty)
Accommodation
i
✓ (multi-bed room)
Choice of hospital
i
✓ (public hospitals)

Dental

Orthodontics
i
✗ (only for children)
Dental treatment / checkups
i
✓
Dental cleanings
i
✓ (up to €40)
Dentures and inlays
i
✓ (60%)

Treatment & Therapies

Therapeutic measures
i
✓ (90%)
Medical aids
i
✓ (75% - 90%)
Preventive care treatments
i
✓ (restricted range)
Alternative practitioner
i
✓ (up to €100)
Psychotherapy
i
✓

Eyes

Vision aids
i
✗ (only for children)
Refractive eye surgery
i
✗

Frequently asked questions

How long does the application process take?+
Once you have completed the application process above, we will review your application and forward it to TK on your behalf. You will usually receive your provisional membership certificate within 24 hours, and your physical insurance card will arrive a few weeks later.
What is the difference between public and private health insurance?+
Click here to see a comparison of both systems.
Will I receive a pension number?+
Yes. As part of your TK application, you will automatically be registered with the German pension system and receive a social security number (pension number) which will be sent to your German home address. Just sit and wait.
Will I receive an insurance card?+
Yes. TK will send you a health insurance card ("Gesundheitskarte") once your membership is confirmed. This card is required for doctor visits, pharmacies, and hospitals.
How does a doctor visit work?+
As soon as your membership is confirmed, you're immediately eligible to see a doctor without any delay. You simply make an appointment with any doctor who accepts public health insurance members ("Kassenarzt"). At the appointment, you show your insurance card. The doctor bills TK directly, you don’t pay upfront.
Can my family be covered as well?+
Yes. TK offers free family coverage for spouses and children under certain conditions. Children are usually covered up to age 18, or longer if they are students or unemployed. A requirement is that dependents don’t have their own compulsory insurance and stay under the income limit.
How does the contribution work?+
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.
What is covered under public health insurance?+
TK covers all medically necessary treatments, including doctor visits, hospital care, medication, preventive checkups, and basic dental care. Additional services such as psychotherapy, vaccinations, and chronic disease management are also included. Nevertheless, some benefits are not sufficient. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to take out additional private insurance, for dental for example.
Will the price increase over time?+
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.