Blue Card and Skilled Workers in Germany

GKV via the employer (~17.8% of gross, split ~8.9% each) if gross salary is below the JAEG €77,400/year 2026. Above JAEG, PKV is optional — Care Expatriate from €58/month is a common private alternative for the first years. § 18b AufenthG proof required.

EU Blue Card requires €48,300/year (2025 threshold) and GKV proof under § 5 SGB V. Yes — Care Expatriate (from €58/month, GKV-equivalent) is accepted by the Ausländerbehörde for § 18b AufenthG Blue Card permits when the employee opts out of GKV above the JAEG threshold (€77,400/year 2026).

€60,000 × 17.8% / 12 = €890/month total, split €445 employer / €445 employee. Below the 2026 JAEG cap of €77,400, so GKV is mandatory — PKV is not an option at this salary level.

Yes — spouse and children join GKV Familienversicherung (§ 10 SGB V) for free if spouse's income is <€556/month. Parents are not eligible under § 10 SGB V — use Care Expatriate from €68/month (ages 41–60) or from €246/month (61–74) for parent reunification.

Membership certificate from the GKV fund (Mitgliedsbescheinigung) — issued within 3 days by DAK, TK, AOK. Or a PKV certificate (Care Expatriate PDF) if above JAEG €77,400/year. Employer files the M10 electronic notification under § 199a SGB V within 6 weeks.

Blue Card holders are typically required to join the statutory health insurance (GKV). The contribution is around 17.8% of gross salary, split equally between employer and employee. You can get started with DAK Gesundheit.

Only if your annual income exceeds the opt-out threshold (€73,800 in 2026). Most Blue Card holders stay in the statutory system. For the transition period before your job starts, Care Economy (from €30/30 days) provides reliable temporary coverage.