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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    Care Expatriate — § 5 / § 21 AufenthG long-term prooffrom €58/month (up to 5 years)
    Three phases of the German arrival journey — before entry (visa), after entry (Anmeldung), after Anmeldung (residence permit). One recognised insurance lane per phase. The wrong lane in phase 3 normally pauses the permit.

    Expat checklist for Germany — three phases: before entry, after entry, after Anmeldung

    4.9/5· 10,000+ policies since 2009458 customer responses · our own survey
    Expat checklist for Germany — three phases (before entry, after entry, after Anmeldung) with the recognised insurance lane per phase: Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day for the visa, Care Economy from €30/30 days as bridge after arrival, Care Expatriate from €58/month for the residence permit
    Before entry
    Visa Protect €0.85/d
    After entry
    Economy €30/30d
    After Anmeldung
    Expatriate €58/mo

    Three rules that decide which insurance lane fits the three time-ordered phases of the German arrival journey:

    1. 1Phase 1 — visa cover before entry: Schengen visa applicants typically attach Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (up to 92 days) (EU-VO 810/2009, ≥ €30,000, ≤ 92 days). National-visa applicants typically attach Care Expatriate already at this step.
    2. 2Phase 2 — bridge after entry: During the 14-day Anmeldung window (§ 17 BMG), landlord and bank typically accept Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) as placeholder. Cancellable the day the long-term lane or DAK-Gesundheit starts.
    3. 3Phase 3 — long-term after Anmeldung: For § 5 / § 21 AufenthG the certificate has to cover the full requested permit duration — Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) is recognised nationwide. Statutory DAK-Gesundheit only opens after the employee contract starts.

    Visa or Anmeldung in the next 14 days? 30-second 3-phase tariff finder →

    Inside: the four documents the embassy expects in phase 1 · why landlord and bank typically accept a different lane than the Ausländerbehörde · the one mistake (Care Visa Protect used for § 21 AufenthG) that pauses most permits

    Sources: EU-VO 810/2009 (Schengen visa minimum cover) · § 17 BMG (Anmeldung 14-day deadline) · § 5 / § 21 AufenthG (residence permit & cover precondition) · § 5 SGB V (statutory GKV via employment) · HanseMerkur Care Visa Protect / Care Economy / Care Expatriate AVB · Statistisches Bundesamt DRG 2024

    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

    4.9/5458 customer responses · our own survey

    Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009

    Three phases — before entry (visa), after entry (move-in), after Anmeldung (residence permit). Lock the right lane per phase: Care Expatriate for the long-term permit, Care Economy as the bridge after arrival. Both bookable from a foreign address.

    🏛️ Authority-approved📄 Instant proof🔒 DAK / HanseMerkur🏷️ Transparent pricing
    4.9/5· Over 10,000 policies placed since 2009
    from 458 customer responses · our own survey, not independently verified · How this rating works

    3 time-ordered phases of the German arrival journey — and the recognised insurance lane per phase

    Quick answer: "Which insurance do I need before entry, after entry and after the Anmeldung?" Phase 1 (before entry): Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (Schengen, EU-VO 810/2009). Phase 2 (after entry, before Anmeldung): Care Economy from €30/30 days as bridge for landlord and bank. Phase 3 (after Anmeldung, residence permit): Care Expatriate from €58/month for § 5 / § 21 AufenthG. Statutory DAK-Gesundheit only opens after the employee contract starts.

    Phase 1 / 3

    Phase 1 — before entry: visa application and arrival

    For the visa application and the trip itself, embassies typically require a Schengen-conform certificate under EU-VO 810/2009: at least €30,000 medical cover, valid in all Schengen states, including emergency repatriation. Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (minimum €8.50, ages 0–74, up to 92 days) is issued in German + English within minutes and accepted by every German embassy. National-visa applicants typically attach Care Expatriate from €58/month at this step instead, because the embassy already wants the long-term lane visible.

    Typical proof: EU-VO 810/2009 · ≥ €30,000 · Schengen-wide · repatriation · DE+EN PDF
    Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (≤ 92 days) →
    Phase 2 / 3

    Phase 2 — after entry, before Anmeldung: landlord, bank, move-in

    After arrival the 14-day Anmeldung deadline (§ 17 BMG) starts. Landlords commonly ask for a basic insurance certificate at move-in; banks accept the same as placeholder cover for the Girokonto. Care Economy from €30/30 days (HanseMerkur incoming, Schengen-conform, entry until the 75th birthday, bookable from a foreign address with an instant German + English PDF) is the typical bridge. It is cancellable the day a recognised long-term tariff or DAK-Gesundheit takes over — no double-pay risk.

    Typical proof: Insurance proof + ID · 14-day Anmeldung deadline · cancellable bridge
    Care Economy from €30/30 days (bridge) →
    Phase 3 / 3

    Phase 3 — after Anmeldung: residence permit and long-term lane

    Once the Meldebescheinigung is issued, the Ausländerbehörde appointment for § 5 / § 21 AufenthG follows. The certificate has to cover the full requested permit duration — a travel-style policy is normally rejected. Care Expatriate (HanseMerkur incoming) from €58/month at entry age 13–40 (Basic) is recognised nationwide, runs up to 60 months and is issued in German + English. Statutory DAK-Gesundheit (~17.8% of gross, employer pays half) only opens AFTER the employee contract starts and replaces the private lane on day 1 of the contract.

    Typical proof: § 5 / § 21 AufenthG · full permit duration · DE+EN certificate
    Care Expatriate from €58/month (long-term) →

    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 when an expat shows up at the embassy without Schengen-conform cover, or at the Ausländerbehörde with travel-style cover

    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.

    🧳

    Up to 5 years

    Short visitor cover may be too weak

    For long stays, freelance work or residence documents, short visitor insurance may be too short or not the right proof.

    • 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 interview or Anmeldung in the next 14 days? Lock the right lane today — every certificate is bookable from a foreign address

    Why act before your residence documents are due

    Long-stay proof can become urgent during visa, residence permit, project or relocation steps. Short visitor cover may not be enough.

    🧳

    Long stay, different proof

    Care Expatriate can fit longer incoming stays up to 5 years, depending on age and selected plan.

    📄

    Residence documents need clarity

    Your proof should match destination, coverage period and long-stay purpose.

    ⚡

    Do not wait for renewal stress

    Preparing longer coverage early can reduce repeated extension pressure.

    ✅

    Private or statutory?

    Freelancers, self-employed people and employees on assignment without German statutory insurance may need a different route than employees.

    From foreign address to recognised cover — in 3 steps

    10 minutes online for Care Visa Protect, Care Economy or Care Expatriate, the policy document is issued by email in German + English and is accepted by embassies (phase 1), landlords + banks (phase 2) and the Ausländerbehörde (phase 3, Care Expatriate). Each lane is cancellable the day the next phase takes over — no double-pay risk.

    Long-term stay covered in 3 steps

    Care Expatriate can cover longer incoming stays up to 5 years, depending on age and selected plan.

    1. Choose your plan

      Care Expatriate for expats, freelancers, self-employed people, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, or seniors up to entry age 74.

    2. Complete the application

      Enter passport, destination, stay details and requested coverage period online. Additional questions may apply depending on the plan.

    3. Submit your proof

      Receive PDF confirmation after successful application and submit it to the embassy, consulate or immigration authority if requested.

    What expats say about Care Expatriate as the long-term proof for § 21 AufenthG after the Anmeldung

    4.9/5458 customer responses · our own survey
    5/5
    “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 from Cameroon

    Georges

    Cameroon

    5/5
    “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 from Russia

    Olga

    Russia

    5/5
    “Found the best solution and best service for health insurance for foreign visitors and guests in Germany.
    Fast, simple and affordable.
    Highly recommended!”
    Michael from Germany

    Michael

    Germany

    5/5
    “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 from Australia

    Yunhee

    Australia

    Now choose your plan

    4.9/5458 customer responses · our own survey

    Full price tables — Care Visa Protect · Care Economy · Care Expatriate

    Quick answer: Three recognised products cover every phase of the German arrival journey: Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day for the visa, Care Economy from €30/30 days as bridge after arrival, Care Expatriate from €58/month for the residence permit. All bookable from a foreign address, certificates issued in German and English.

    Phase 1 — Care Visa Protect

    HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG, Schengen-conform under EU-VO 810/2009, ages 0–74, up to 92 days, certificate in German + English (button price: from €0.85/day (up to 92 days)):

    Care Visa Protect Daily premium Multiple Visa
    (annual contract)
    up to age 64 €0.85/day €110/year
    65 – 74 years €2.60/day €215/year

    Prices per person. Minimum premium €8.50 per trip. Maximum benefit €50,000 (well above the Schengen minimum of €30,000). Deductible €0. Must be purchased before travel. As of 2026.

    Phase 2 — Care Economy

    HanseMerkur incoming, Schengen-conform, ages 0–74, 1 day to 2 years, bookable from a foreign address, cancellable the day long-term cover starts (button price: from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years)):

    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.

    Phase 3 — Care Expatriate

    HanseMerkur incoming, ages 0–74, up to 5 years, accepted by the Ausländerbehörde for § 5 / § 21 AufenthG, certificate in German + English (3 tiers — Basic / Comfort / Premium · button price: from €58/month (up to 5 years)):

    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.

    How long should the health insurance run?

    Quick answer: Usually for as long as the stay is planned to last — and not shorter. The premium is set by the entry age at the start of the contract and stays in that age band for the whole term. Anyone who extends later typically signs a new contract at the age they are by then.

    Term comparison over five years — example values, Basic, age band 13–40 (€58/month)
    Term Premium/month Total Renewals needed Pre-existing-condition gap
    12 months €58 €696 4 possible (2×)
    24 months €58 €1,392 2 possible (1×)
    60 months €58 €3,480 0 none

    Is a 41st birthday coming up?

    In the 13–40 age band the Basic premium is €58/month; in the 41–60 band it is €68/month (example values). The difference is around €10 a month — roughly €600 over 60 months. What counts is the age at the start of the contract, not the age during the term. Concretely: someone who chooses a 60-month term at 40 pays the 13–40 band for five years, rather than the 41–60 band from their 41st birthday onwards.

    When the renewal falls due

    A policy with a twelve-month term typically expires at close to the point the residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) also needs extending. Both then fall in the same weeks: new contract, new proof of cover, new appointment at the foreigners' authority (Ausländerbehörde) — often under time pressure. A longer term decouples the two dates. There is also the practical effort: every renewal means passport details, proof of address and personal information again — usually gathered by relatives in Germany while the insured person is still abroad.

    What is different at renewal

    Conditions that first arise during a running contract are, as a rule, covered within that contract. In a contract taken out later they typically count as a pre-existing condition — and pre-existing conditions are usually excluded in incoming tariffs. The older the insured person, the more likely it is that a diagnosis falls between two contracts, and that diagnosis then usually counts as pre-existing in the follow-up contract. A continuous term avoids that gap.

    A gap can also open up between two contracts — days without cover, which may become visible when the residence permit is next extended. A continuous term avoids that.

    A fixed term also means planning certainty for the family: the premium is set for the whole duration, with no annual recalculation.

    For context: Care Expatriate can be taken out up to the age of 74.

    Monthly or a single payment?

    Quick answer: Both are possible, and the price is the same — there is no discount for paying in one go. The difference lies in the risk: if a direct debit goes unpaid, that can affect the insurance cover — and the residence permit rests on that cover. With a single payment the cover no longer depends on an ongoing bank debit. That matters above all where the premiums are paid by relatives in Germany: a job change, a change of bank or one tight month then has no bearing on the insured person's residence status.

    Where the premium is transferred from abroad, one payment replaces up to sixty individual transfers — each with its own bank charges and exchange rate.

    What happens on an early return?

    If the stay ends earlier than planned, the contract can be cancelled in writing. The overpaid premium is, as a rule, refunded minus a €5 processing fee (source: Care Concept FAQ). So someone who pays 60 months in advance and returns after two years gets the premium for the unused months back — the financial risk of paying in one go is therefore €5, not the remaining balance.

    And if the visa is not granted?

    If the entry visa is not granted, or entry does not take place for other reasons, the application can be cancelled in writing before the insurance cover begins. Premiums already paid are, as a rule, refunded minus a €5 processing fee (source: Care Concept FAQ).

    FAQ — Expat 3-phase checklist for Germany

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What insurance do I need before entering Germany as an expat?

    Phase 1 (before entry): Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (min €7.50) covers the visa application and first 92 days. It meets EU Regulation 810/2009 for Schengen entry and is issued digitally within 5 minutes — mandatory before the embassy appointment.

    Which cover applies after arrival but before Anmeldung in Germany?

    Phase 2 (after entry, before Anmeldung): Care Economy from €30/30 days bridges the 14-day Bürgeramt window (§ 17 BMG). It works without a German address and is accepted by the Ausländerbehörde as interim proof under § 5 AufenthG.

    What insurance is needed after Anmeldung as an expat in Germany?

    Phase 3 (after Anmeldung): switch to Care Expatriate from €58/month (long-term private) or DAK-Gesundheit at 17.8% of gross (once employed). Both carry the § 5 AufenthG-compliant certificate for the residence permit application.

    Can one policy cover all three expat phases in Germany?

    Care Expatriate covers phases 2 and 3 seamlessly (from €58/month, 1–60 months). Phase 1 still needs Care Visa Protect (€0.85/day) because most embassies reject long-term private policies without a valid visa — Care Expatriate activates only after entry.

    How long does each expat phase typically take in Germany?

    Phase 1: 4–12 weeks (visa processing). Phase 2: 1–14 days (arrival to Anmeldung). Phase 3: from Anmeldung onwards. Total bridge cost with Care Visa Protect + Care Economy ≈ €50–€120 before switching to Care Expatriate €58/month or DAK-Gesundheit.

    What are the 3 phases of health insurance for expats in Germany?

    Phase 1: Before arrival – secure insurance proof for your visa. Phase 2: After arrival – register, inform employer. Phase 3: After registration – switch to permanent insurance (GKV or PKV). An incoming policy like Care Expatriate covers phases 1 and 2.

    Do I need health insurance before entering Germany?

    Yes, most visas require proof of health insurance starting from your entry date. Care Economy (from 30 €/30 days) or Care Expatriate (from 58 €/month) provide instant PDF proof accepted by embassies.

    How much does a hospital stay cost without insurance in Germany?

    A single hospital day costs 600–1,200 €, and emergency surgery can exceed 15,000 €. With Care Expatriate from 58 €/month, you are covered from day 1 across all 3 phases.