What If Health Insurance Expires in Germany? Renewal Checklist for Foreigners 2026

Cover ends at 23:59 on the expiry date — any treatment the next day is fully out-of-pocket, and the Ausländerbehörde can revoke the residence permit under § 5 AufenthG. Renew Care Expatriate (from €58/month age 18–29) or extend Care Economy (from €30/30 days) at least 14 days before expiry to keep the certificate seamless.

No — Care Expatriate has a strict 60-month maximum. After that most expats transition to GKV via employment (DAK Angestellte, 17.8% gross split 50/50) or move to a long-term German PKV. Plan the switch 3 months before month 60.

Valid passport, current Anmeldebestätigung (§ 17 BMG), proof of continuing purpose (enrolment, contract, pension), €100 fee, and a new insurance certificate covering the full new permit period. Care Expatriate issues the renewal PDF same day from €58/month.

Care Visa Protect (up to 92 days) and Care Economy (up to 24 months) cannot be extended once expired; a new policy must start. No — Incoming tariffs end at midnight on the expiry date. Care Expatriate is the standard long-term follow-on from €58/month.

Care Economy (€30–125/30 days) cancels automatically; Care Expatriate starts seamlessly from €58/month (18–29), €96/month (30–40), €246/month (61–74). Yes and it's the most common upgrade path. Confirm the new PDF with the Ausländerbehörde before the residence-permit appointment.

Yes. Many incoming insurances like Care Economy (from 30 EUR/30 days) can be extended before expiry. Apply at least 4–6 weeks before the end date to avoid coverage gaps that could jeopardize your residence permit.

You become uninsured, which can jeopardize your residence permit and lead to high out-of-pocket costs for any medical treatment. For long-term coverage beyond 2 years, consider Care Expatriate (from 58 EUR/month, up to 5 years).

When you start employment as a socially insured employee, your employer registers you with a GKV provider like DAK-Gesundheit. You must actively cancel your old incoming insurance to avoid double payments.