Health Insurance for Foreign Self-Employed in Germany – Requirement, Tariffs and Proofs
Sources: § 21 Abs. 1 AufenthG (Selbständigen-Visum) · § 14 GewO (Gewerbeanmeldung) · § 5 AufenthG (insurance proof) · § 11 GewStG (Gewerbesteuer-Freibetrag €24,500) · Care Expatriate AVB · HanseMerkur Versicherungsgruppe Hamburg · Care Concept AG
Foreign self-employed (Gewerbetreibende) registering a German Gewerbe are not subject to the German statutory insurance mandate. Whether you open a small e-commerce shop, a restaurant, a consulting firm, an import-export business or form a UG / GmbH — you choose between voluntary GKV and a private Incoming policy. The Ausländerbehörde requires recognised cover under § 5 AufenthG plus a positive economic-interest assessment from the IHK or HWK before issuing the Selbständigen-Visum (§ 21 Abs. 1 AufenthG).
The standard recognised solution is Care Expatriate from €58/month (ages 18–29). Premiums scale by 10-year age tier (30–39, 40–49, 50–59, 41–60, 61–74) — the official Care Expatriate price table is shown below. Cover runs from 1 to 60 months, comfortably above the initial Selbständigen-residence permit window.
Below: why GKV is optional (not mandatory) for Gewerbetreibende, the four documents the Ausländerbehörde checks, the full Care Expatriate price table by age tier, the bridge route via Care Economy during the Gewerbeamt / IHK setup phase, and the clean handover to GKV if you later draw a Geschäftsführer-salary from your own UG or GmbH.
Long-Stay Coverage
Care Expatriate by HanseMerkur Versicherungsgruppe / Advigon
Residence Documents
Proof for visa or immigration authority documents
Fast Confirmation
PDF confirmation available after successful application
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
Selbständigen-Visum appointment booked? Pick the recognised long-term Incoming tariff.
Four mistakes that delay the Selbständigen-Visum
Quick answer: "Why was my Selbständigen-Visum delayed?" — most foreign entrepreneurs stumble on one of four points: bought a 90-day Schengen travel policy instead of long-term Incoming cover, applied for voluntary GKV without realising underwriting takes weeks, registered as a Freiberufler at the Finanzamt when their activity is actually a Gewerbe (or vice versa), or skipped the IHK / HWK economic-interest assessment that the Ausländerbehörde requires under § 21 Abs. 1 AufenthG. Care Expatriate removes the insurance side of the file by default.
Avoid the mistakes that can delay your application
Visitor insurance may be too short
For multi-month or multi-year stays, Care Expatriate can be a better fit than short visitor coverage.
Statutory or private?
Freelancers, self-employed people and some incoming long-stay cases may need private incoming coverage instead of German statutory insurance.
Residence proof requested?
Care Expatriate can provide PDF confirmation after successful application for visa or immigration documents.
Renewal stress later
A longer coverage term can reduce repeated renewal pressure during projects, residence processes or long stays.
What happens if your Gewerbe insurance gap is detected
One wrong insurance choice can cost you money, time and your application deadline
A medical incident can become expensive fast — but the wrong certificate can also delay your visa, enrollment, residence permit or work start.
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€500–€1,500
Emergency doctor visit
One urgent doctor or emergency-room visit can already create a painful bill — before tests, medication or follow-up treatment are added.
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€2,000–€10,000+
Hospital treatment
If observation, surgery, overnight stay or specialist treatment is needed, costs can quickly move from hundreds to thousands of euros.
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€30,000 minimum
Schengen proof must be clear
Your certificate should clearly show the required coverage amount, Schengen validity, travel dates and repatriation benefits.
- Wrong or incomplete proof can delay your visa, enrollment or authority process.
- Cheap home-country policies may miss the exact coverage, dates or repatriation wording required.
- The cheapest policy can become expensive if it is the wrong proof for your situation.
Before you apply, check: coverage amount, validity dates, destination area and repatriation cover.
Visa appointment dates are fixed — secure the Incoming certificate first
Why act before the embassy appointment
Schengen visa insurance is not just a formality. Your proof should clearly show the required coverage, dates, validity area and repatriation benefits.
Appointments can be limited
If the proof is missing or unsuitable, preparing corrected documents can cost valuable time.
PDF certificate after application
Care Visa Protect provides the certificate by email after successful online application.
€30,000 minimum coverage
Schengen insurance should show at least €30,000 coverage plus medical repatriation for the Schengen Area.
From €0.85/day
Care Visa Protect starts from €0.85/day, with a minimum premium of €8.50 per trip.
From booking to embassy-ready certificate — in 3 steps
10 minutes online. PDF certificate (English/German) for the embassy, the IHK / HWK economic-interest file and the Ausländerbehörde. Cover starts on the day you choose — typically the planned arrival date or the Selbständigen-Visum start date.
Schengen-ready in 3 steps
Proof of insurance for Schengen visa applications, including the €30,000 minimum-coverage requirement.
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Pick the right plan
Care Visa Protect for short Schengen stays · Care Economy for the Opportunity Card or longer visitor stays.
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Apply online
Enter passport, travel dates and destination. For Care Visa Protect, purchase before entry when required.
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Submit your proof
Receive the PDF certificate after successful online application and submit it with your visa or authority documents.
What foreign self-employed (Gewerbetreibende) say about Care Expatriate for the Selbständigen-Visum
“My biggest worry was that the embassy wouldn't accept the insurance.
The proof was accepted immediately — no questions asked.
That saved me a lot of stress.”
Georges
Cameroon
“I needed proof of insurance urgently for my visa appointment.
The confirmation arrived within minutes by email.
Everything worked first time at the embassy.”
Olga
Russia
“Found the best solution and best service for health insurance for foreign visitors and guests in Germany.
Fast, simple and affordable.
Highly recommended!”
Michael
Germany
“The online sign-up was done in just a few minutes.
When I actually had to see a doctor, the billing went smoothly.
I was really covered — not just on paper.”
Yunhee
Australia
Now choose your plan
Recommended tariffs for foreign self-employed (Gewerbetreibende)
Care Expatriate
from only €58.00 / month (coverage up to 5 years)
For foreign nationals with longer stays: expats, self-employed professionals, freelancers, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, retirees & seniors up to age 74
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities quickly available (PDF)
- Coverage up to 5 years – less renewal stress
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental treatment coverage
- For longer stays in Germany, Austria, the EU/Schengen Area, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
- Suitable for expats, self-employed professionals, freelancers, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, retirees & seniors
- More planning security for residence permits, projects or jobs
- 24/7 assistance + digital insurance card
- Age-based rates: from €58/month ages 13–40 · from €68 ages 41–60 · from €246 ages 61–74
- Coverage term: 3 months to 5 years · entry age 0–74
- Reputable insurance carrier
Why Care Expatriate?
For foreign nationals with longer stays who need solid health insurance and proof of coverage for authorities — suitable for expats, freelancers, self-employed professionals, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, retirees & seniors up to age 74.
Why a 5-year coverage term?
More planning security: less renewal stress and a lower risk of a coverage gap if your stay lasts longer.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Insurance Group Hamburg – Advigon Insurance AG
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental treatment & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €58 / month · coverage up to 5 years
→ Complete the application, receive your instant PDF, submit your proof
Care Economy
from only €30.00 / 30 days (coverage up to 2 years)
For guests, tourists, family visits, job seekers & the German Opportunity Card
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities within minutes
- Affordable coverage from €1.00 per day
- Doctor, hospital & dental emergency coverage
- Suitable for Schengen visas, the Opportunity Card & family visits
- Flexible coverage from 1 day up to 2 years
- Coverage in Germany, the EU & the Schengen Area
- 24/7 assistance + digital insurance card
- Age-based rates: from €1.00/day up to age 64 · from €2.95/day for ages 65–74
- Coverage term: 1 day to 2 years · entry age 0–74
- Reputable insurance carrier
Why Care Economy?
For anyone who needs fast, affordable proof of health insurance — ideal for guests, visitors, tourists, family visits or job seekers, with doctor/clinic coverage subject to the policy terms and benefits.
Why a 2-year coverage term?
More flexibility when plans are uncertain: if your visa, trip or stay is extended, you avoid last-minute renewal stress and reduce the risk of a coverage gap.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Insurance Group Hamburg – Advigon Insurance AG
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental emergency & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €30 / 30 days · up to 2 years possible
→ Complete the application, receive your instant PDF, submit your proof
Drawing a salaried Geschäftsführer income from your own UG or GmbH? DAK-Gesundheit (employee GKV) at 17.8% of gross applies on the salaried side — the company pays half (8.9%). Speak with a tax advisor (Steuerberater) before structuring the salary.
Working as a Freiberufler under § 18 EStG instead? Freelancer cover from €58/month (Finanzamt-only, no Gewerbeamt). Or step up to the broader long-term expat health-insurance guide and the expat hub.
Care Expatriate — all Gewerbetreibende rates by age & tier
Quick answer: Care Expatriate starts at €58/month (ages 18–29). Premiums scale by 10-year age tier; the full official table below shows the exact rate for every age bracket up to 74. Up to 60 months in a single contract — recognised under § 21 Abs. 1 AufenthG for the Selbständigen-Visum.
| Care Expatriateworldwide without USA, Canada and Mexico |
Basic
|
BestsellerComfort
|
Premium
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Deductible / yr
150,–
|
Deductible / yr
150,–
|
Deductible / yr
500,–
|
Deductible / yr
0,–
|
Deductible / yr
500,–
|
Deductible / yr
1.000,–
|
|
| Entry age:0–12 (€ / month) | 64,– | 104,– | 81,– | 191,– | 149,– | 117,– |
| Entry age:13–40 (€ / month) | 58,– | 84,– | 63,– | 181,– | 141,– | 109,– |
| Entry age:41–60 (€ / month) | 68,– | 103,– | 77,– | 256,– | 201,– | 156,– |
| Entry age:61–74 (€ / month) | 246,– | 322,– | 248,– | 432,– | 336,– | 263,– |
All prices per month/person in euros. Deductible applies per insurance year. As of 2026.
Care Economy — bridge tariff for the Gewerbeamt / IHK setup phase
Quick answer: Selbständigen-Visum still being processed and you need fast cover for the Gewerbeamt registration and IHK / HWK economic interest assessment? Care Economy from €30 per 30 days bridges the gap and is accepted by the Ausländerbehörde for the initial residence permit window.
| Care Economy Duration |
Bestsellerup to 64
|
up to 64
|
Bestseller65+
|
65+
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| no deductible | with deductible | no deductible | with deductible | |
| up to 90 days | €1.18/day | €1.00/day | €3.48/day | €2.95/day |
| 91–180 days | €1.59/day | €1.35/day | €4.37/day | €3.70/day |
| 181–365 days | €2.30/day | €1.95/day | €5.84/day | €4.95/day |
| 366–730 days | €2.83/day | €2.40/day | €9.32/day | €7.90/day |
All prices per day/person in euros. Minimum premium €10 per person and term. Deductible is the share you pay yourself. Entry age 0–74. As of 2026.
Frequently asked questions about self-employed health insurance in Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
Is GKV mandatory for foreign self-employed (Gewerbetreibende) in Germany?
No. Self-employed Gewerbetreibende are not subject to the statutory insurance mandate (§ 5 SGB V). You choose between private Incoming insurance (e.g. Care Expatriate from €58/month) and voluntary GKV — Care Expatriate is faster, cheaper and accepted for the Selbständigen-Visum under § 21 Abs. 1 AufenthG.
Does the Ausländerbehörde accept Care Expatriate for the Selbständigen-Visum?
Yes. Care Expatriate (HanseMerkur Versicherungsgruppe) is recognised by German Ausländerbehörden as long-term Incoming cover for the residence permit under § 21 Abs. 1 AufenthG, alongside the positive economic-interest assessment from the IHK or HWK. Cover up to 60 months in a single contract.
What changes if I form a UG or GmbH and pay myself as Geschäftsführer?
If you become the salaried managing director (Geschäftsführer) of your own UG or GmbH on a regular employment contract, you switch to statutory cover (DAK-Gesundheit at 17.8% of gross, split with the company). Pure shareholder-managers without a salary stay on Care Expatriate. Speak with a tax advisor (Steuerberater) before structuring the salary.
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009