Family reunification: which health insurance is commonly required in Germany?
Reviewed by Steffan Grund, insurance specialist for foreigners in Germany · last updated 23 April 2026
Sources: §§ 27–36 AufenthG · § 5 AufenthG · § 10 SGB V · EU Regulation 810/2009 Art. 15 · German Federal Foreign Office · BAMF · HanseMerkur AVB · Care Concept AG
“PDF in minutes, Ausländerbehörde accepted it on the spot.” — R. K. (Berlin), EU Blue Card
Quotes from internal customer feedback, anonymised and shortened.
Plan: pick the recognised tariff → pay online → PDF in 10 min → upload to VIDEX or hand in at the consulate.
Common with family-reunification applicants from — show country list
Pakistan (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore), India (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai), Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Türkiye, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, China, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Ukraine, Russia, Kosovo, Serbia, Bosnia, North Macedonia and Albania.
Used since 2009 by applicants worldwide — typically accepted nationwide in Germany by the Ausländerbehörden (incl. LEA Berlin, KVR Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf) and the German embassy network under § 5 AufenthG.
No commitment · monthly cancellation · confirmation by email (typically immediate).
Short answer: for a family-reunification visa to Germany (Familiennachzug, §§ 27–36 AufenthG) the embassy and the Ausländerbehörde commonly require recognised health insurance with at least €30,000 of medical cover plus medically necessary repatriation, valid from day one of the requested stay. Refusal on the insurance point is one of the most common reasons family visas get delayed — usually because the cover is below €30,000, the repatriation clause is missing, the dates do not cover the full period, or a Schengen-only travel policy is submitted for a national D-visa stay.
Editorial overview based on §§ 27–36 AufenthG, § 5 AufenthG, EU Regulation 810/2009 Art. 15 and the HanseMerkur AVB published by Care Concept AG — not legal or insurance advice. Final acceptance depends on the responsible German consulate and Ausländerbehörde (case-by-case review).
One uninsured emergency in Germany can run €5,000–€20,000 before a single signature — every week without a recognised certificate is a week the family-reunification appointment cannot move forward.
For the family reunion visa Germany application (spouse visa Germany, German spouse visa, partner visum Deutschland, child or parent visa) and the first months in Germany, Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (ages 0–49, scaling with age) is among the recognised short-term Incoming tariffs commonly accepted for these files — a German health insurance for foreigners that aims at the German embassy insurance certificate checklist (national D-visa Germany insurance, Schengen travel insurance Germany family, § 27 AufenthG insurance proof). It is the same recognised cover most applicants attach to the German embassy visa form for family reunion visa applications, whether they are filing the standard family reunification Germany requirements package, the spouse visa to Germany route, the germany marriage visa requirements file, or Germany immigration requirements for minor children (§ 32 AufenthG). Reunification in German law (Familiennachzug / Familienzusammenführung) is regulated by the Ausländerbehörde under §§ 27–36 AufenthG, and the same insurance baseline applies whether you submit at a consulate abroad or extend the residence permit once already in Germany. After the residence permit is issued and the stay extends beyond two years, Care Expatriate from €58/month (ages 0–74, up to 5 years) is the long-term Incoming tariff — including parent visa Germany insurance over 60 and Elternnachzug health insurance requirements where ages 41–60 start from €68/month and ages 61–74 from €246/month (source: TARIF_META Care Expatriate, HanseMerkur AVB), subject to the insurer's terms of acceptance.
In short: families joining a sponsor in Germany on a family reunion visa — spouse, registered partner, minor child or elderly parent over 60 — commonly need a recognised German health insurance certificate (€30,000 + repatriation) before the embassy appointment. Care Economy covers the visa stage, Care Expatriate the years that follow.
Below: the seven most asked questions from spouses, children and elderly parents, the four mistakes that get the insurance point rejected at the consulate, exact age-band prices, and how to obtain the embassy-ready PDF in under 10 minutes.
Visa stage from €30 / 30 days · Post-arrival from €58 / month · Parents 61–74 from €246 / month · PDF certificate in 10 minutes — valid in all 27 Schengen states.
🛂 Visa stage (0–49)
Care Economy · €30 / 30 d
Spouse visa, child visa, short reunification stays up to 2 years.
🛡️ Post-arrival (0–74)
Care Expatriate · from €58 / mo
German residence permit family member insurance, up to 5 years.
👴 Parent reunification
Care Expatriate · 41–60 €68, 61–74 €246
Elternnachzug under § 36 AufenthG — no medical exam at booking.
Trusted Providers
Care Concept · HanseMerkur · DAK where applicable
Visa Proof
Proof of insurance for embassy or consulate documents
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Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
Family reunification visa to Germany? Pick the recognised tariff for the visa stage.
Four reasons family-reunification applications get refused on the insurance point
Quick answer: Most refusals on the insurance point fall into four buckets: cover below €30,000, missing repatriation clause, dates not covering the full requested period, or a Schengen-only tariff submitted for a national D-visa stay. Care Economy and Care Expatriate remove all four by default.
Avoid the mistakes that can delay your application
Schengen proof missing?
For short Schengen stays, choose insurance that meets the €30,000 minimum-coverage requirement.
Short stay or longer stay?
Care Visa Protect fits many 1–92 day Schengen visits; Care Economy may fit longer or more flexible stays.
Wrong insurance can cost time
Before your embassy appointment, check that the proof matches your visa type, dates and destination.
Multiple entries planned?
If you travel more than once, check the multiple-entry option and the annual day limit before applying.
Inside: the four insurance mistakes that delay a family-reunification visa · spouse vs child vs parent visa — what the embassy actually checks · when to switch from Care Economy to Care Expatriate after arrival
What an uninsured day in Germany really costs a spouse or elderly parent
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.
🏥
€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.
🏨
€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.
🇪🇺
€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.
Embassy slots for family reunification fill weeks ahead — secure the 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 PDF — in 3 steps
10 minutes online. PDF certificate by email immediately after payment. Upload to VIDEX or hand it in at the consulate appointment together with the family-reunification application.
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 families say about Care Economy at the family-reunification visa stage in Germany
“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 family-reunification tariffs — visa stage and post-arrival
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
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
Planning a short pre-reunification visit (≤92 days) on a Schengen visa first? Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (minimum €8.50 per trip, up to €50,000) is the cheapest recognised Schengen-only option.
Want the full breakdown? See the long-form family & parent reunification health insurance guide, the 5-point Schengen-visa insurance requirements, or the step-by-step Schengen-visa application guide.
Spouse vs child vs parent reunification — what changes for the insurance proof?
Quick answer: The German visa requirements for family are the same on the insurance point — €30,000 medical cover plus repatriation — but the recommended tariff differs by age band and by how long the family member will stay. Below: the three most common family reunion visa Germany scenarios for English speakers in Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and at consulates worldwide.
German spouse visa health insurance
§ 28 / § 30 AufenthG · spouse visa Deutschland Krankenversicherung
Care Economy from €30 / 30 days at the embassy stage; switch to Care Expatriate or join GKV under § 10 SGB V once resident.
Child reunification
§ 32 AufenthG · under 18 joining a parent
Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (ages 0–17, lowest band). Family insurance under § 10 SGB V usually applies for free after enrolment in a German statutory fund.
Parent reunification (Elternnachzug)
§ 36 AufenthG · parent visa Germany insurance over 60
Care Expatriate covers ages 0–74: 41–60 from €68/mo, 61–74 from €246/mo. No medical exam at booking; pre-existing conditions excluded per HanseMerkur AVB.
Family reunification visa Germany — insurance at a glance
Quick answer: One quick-reference table covering the three Familiennachzug routes — German spouse visa, child reunification and parent reunification — with the matching AufenthG paragraph, the recognised tariff at the embassy stage, the lowest age-band price and the typical switch path after the residence permit is issued.
| Family member | AufenthG paragraph | Recommended tariff | Lowest age-band price | Switch after residence permit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse / registered partner | § 28 / § 30 AufenthG | Care Economy (visa stage) | €30 / 30 days (ages 0–49) | GKV via § 10 SGB V or Care Expatriate |
| Minor child | § 32 AufenthG | Care Economy (visa stage) | €30 / 30 days (ages 0–17) | Family insurance § 10 SGB V (free) |
| Parent (Elternnachzug) | § 36 AufenthG | Care Expatriate (long-term) | €68 / mo (41–60) · €246 / mo (61–74) | Renew Care Expatriate up to 5 years |
Prices verified against TARIF_META / HanseMerkur AVB. Final acceptance depends on the responsible Ausländerbehörde.
Care Economy — all prices by age band & duration
Quick answer: Care Economy starts from €30 per 30 days for ages 0–49 and scales with age up to ages 65–74. Term 1 day to 2 years, designed for family-reunification visa stays beyond the 92-day Schengen limit and accepted by the Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG.
| 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.
Care Expatriate — all prices by age band & tier
Quick answer: Care Expatriate covers ages 0–74 with up to 5 years of cover. Premium starts at €58/month (ages 18–29), €68/month for ages 41–60 and €246/month for ages 61–74 — the long-stay tariff after the family-reunification residence permit is issued.
| 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.
Frequently asked questions — family-reunification health insurance in Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
Which health insurance is commonly required for a family-reunification visa to Germany?
German consulates apply the same baseline as every Schengen application — at least €30,000 of medical cover plus medically necessary repatriation — for the family-reunification visa under §§ 27–36 AufenthG. For ages 0–49 Care Economy from €30 / 30 days is the standard recognised short-term tariff; for the post-arrival residence permit, Care Expatriate (ages 0–74, up to 5 years) is the long-term Incoming tariff the Ausländerbehörde accepts under § 5 AufenthG.
Does the Ausländerbehörde accept Care Economy or do I need a long-term contract?
Care Economy is commonly accepted at the visa application stage and for the first months of the residence permit because it covers up to 2 years, includes repatriation and meets the €30,000 EU minimum. Once the residence permit is issued for longer than two years, families typically switch to Care Expatriate so the Ausländerbehörde can re-stamp the permit without delay. Final acceptance always depends on the responsible Ausländerbehörde.
My elderly parent is 65. Which tariff actually works for parent reunification (Elternnachzug)?
Care Expatriate covers ages 0–74. Premiums for parents aged 41–60 start from €68/month and for parents aged 61–74 from €246/month. No medical examination is required at booking, although pre-existing conditions and pregnancy are excluded by the insurer's terms (HanseMerkur AVB).
What exactly must appear on the insurance certificate for the embassy?
The PDF certificate is typically expected to show — exact wording depends on the responsible consulate — the insured person's name and date of birth, validity dates covering the full requested stay, minimum medical cover of €30,000, an explicit repatriation clause and validity in all 27 Schengen states for the visa stage. Care Economy and Care Visa Protect issue this PDF immediately after payment — ready to upload to VIDEX or hand in at the consulate.
We want to visit Germany first (≤92 days) before the reunification visa — what then?
For a short pre-reunification visit on a Schengen visa, Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (minimum €8.50 per trip, up to €50,000) is the cheapest recognised Schengen-only option. It does not replace the long-stay tariff for the actual family-reunification visa — switch to Care Economy or Care Expatriate before the D-visa appointment.
Can a spouse join my German statutory insurance (GKV) for free instead?
Only once you are legally resident and family insurance under § 10 SGB V applies — typically after the residence permit is issued and the principal insured is in a GKV. At the visa stage and during the gap until enrolment, you still need recognised private Incoming cover (Care Economy or Care Expatriate) for the embassy and the Ausländerbehörde.
How long does it take to get the certificate to take to the German embassy appointment?
About 10 minutes online. After payment the PDF certificate is emailed immediately. Upload it to VIDEX or print it for the consulate appointment together with the family-reunification application; if the embassy asks for an extended period, just reissue the PDF with the new dates — no medical exam, no waiting period.
How long does a family-reunification visa to Germany take, and how should I time the insurance?
Processing of the family reunion visa Germany application at the consulate typically takes 4 to 12 weeks, sometimes longer for parent reunification (Elternnachzug, § 36 AufenthG) and for posts with high demand. Plan to have recognised cover ready from the date you want to enter Germany — Care Economy and Care Expatriate let you set the start date freely and reissue the PDF if the embassy appointment shifts, so you do not pay for unused weeks.
Can I work in Germany on a family-reunification visa, and does that change the insurance I need?
Spouses joining under §§ 27–30 AufenthG generally receive unrestricted work permission with the residence permit. As soon as employment begins and the salary is below the JVEG threshold (€77,400 per year in 2026), GKV (statutory insurance) becomes mandatory — at that point Care Economy / Care Expatriate is replaced by a German statutory fund and family members are typically co-insured for free under § 10 SGB V. Until the work contract starts, the Incoming tariff remains the recognised proof for the Ausländerbehörde.
What is a family reunion visa to Germany, and what insurance does it commonly require?
A family reunion visa to Germany (Familienzusammenführung / Familiennachzug) is the national D-visa under §§ 27–36 AufenthG that lets a spouse, registered partner, minor child or — in narrow hardship cases — a parent join a sponsor lawfully resident in Germany. On the insurance point the embassy and Ausländerbehörde commonly require recognised cover with at least €30,000 of medical expenses plus medically necessary repatriation, valid from day one of the requested stay. Care Economy (visa stage, ages 0–49 from €30 / 30 days) and Care Expatriate (post-arrival, ages 0–74) are the two Incoming tariffs that meet this baseline — final acceptance depends on the responsible consulate.
How do I apply for a family reunion visa in Germany, and when do I attach the insurance certificate?
Book an appointment at the German consulate responsible for your residence, fill in the VIDEX application for the national D-visa under § 27 AufenthG, and bring the family-reunification file: marriage or birth certificate (often apostilled), sponsor's passport and Meldebescheinigung, accommodation proof, means of subsistence (§ 5 AufenthG) and the insurance certificate (€30,000 + repatriation, valid in all 27 Schengen states for the visa stage). The Care Economy or Care Expatriate PDF is emailed within 10 minutes after payment and can be uploaded to VIDEX or handed in at the biometric appointment — reissue with new dates if the embassy slot shifts.
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
Embassy appointment booked? Pick the recognised family-reunification tariff that meets every checklist point.
Sources & references
All legal references are linked to the official German federal text archives (gesetze-im-internet.de), the EU legal portal (eur-lex.europa.eu), the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) and the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). Pricing is verified against the HanseMerkur AVB published by Care Concept AG.
- EU Regulation 810/2009 (Visa Code), Art. 15 — minimum medical cover €30,000 + repatriation
- AufenthG — §§ 27, 28, 30, 32, 36 (Familiennachzug, Elternnachzug)
- § 5 AufenthG — general conditions / sufficient subsistence including health insurance
- § 10 SGB V — family insurance (free co-insurance of spouse / child in GKV)
- Auswärtiges Amt — family reunification visa to Germany (official guidance)
- BAMF — Familiennachzug (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees)
- HanseMerkur Versicherungsgruppe Hamburg — Care Concept AG AVB (insurer terms for Care Economy, Care Expatriate, Care Visa Protect)