+49 228 97735-44· German & English spoken
    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
    All tariffsFind a tariff
    Find a tariff
    Care Expatriate — long-term residence permitfrom €58/month (up to 5 years)
    Cover must exist from day 1 in Germany — embassies typically already require proof at the visa application (§ 5 AufenthG)

    Expat Moving to Germany: When Must Health Insurance Cover Exist? Checklist 2026

    4.9/5 · Over 10,000 policies since 2009
    Expat moving to Germany — when must health insurance cover exist? Checklist for embassy, entry and Ausländerbehörde
    Day 1
    Cover from entry
    Long-term
    Care Expatriate €58/mo
    Employed
    DAK ~17.8%

    Three immovable rules for an expat moving to Germany under § 5 AufenthG:

    1. 1Cover starts on or before the entry date: Not on the date of the Anmeldung at the Einwohnermeldeamt, not on the date of the residence-permit appointment. Most German embassies already require recognised proof at the visa application — typically Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) as the embassy bridge.
    2. 2The residence purpose decides the lane, not personal preference: Employees with a German work contract are mandatorily statutory under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V — the employer registers them at a GKV (e.g. DAK). Self-employed and freelancers stay private with Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) (HanseMerkur, ages 18–74, accepted for § 21 AufenthG up to 5 years).
    3. 3Foreign / travel policies are bridge-only: Typically accepted for the first weeks after entry, but the Ausländerbehörde requires a German-recognised contract for the residence permit itself. Plan the switch from the travel / Care Economy bridge to Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) or DAK before the residence-permit appointment.

    Not sure which lane fits? 30-second expat-tariff finder →

    Inside: the one form most expats forget at the Einwohnermeldeamt · why a travel policy will not get you a residence permit · the entry-age bracket that doubles your premium overnight

    Sources: § 5 AufenthG (cover requirement) · § 18a / § 21 AufenthG (employed / self-employed permit) · § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V (mandatory statutory for employees) · HanseMerkur Care Expatriate / Care Economy AVB · DAK-Gesundheit tariff sheet 2026

    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

    4.9/5

    Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009

    Moving to Germany? Take out Care Expatriate so the contract is in place before the residence-permit appointment — embassies and the Ausländerbehörde routinely refuse travel-only policies.

    🏛️ Authority-approved📄 Instant proof🔒 DAK / HanseMerkur🏷️ Transparent pricing
    4.9/5· Since 2009 · 10,000+ policies· Since 2009 · Over 10,000 policies issued

    Five typical mistakes when an expat moves to Germany

    Quick answer: "From when must my health-insurance cover exist when I move to Germany?" — most expats run into one of five issues: starting cover only on the Anmeldung date instead of the entry date; using a foreign or travel policy as the long-term solution; choosing the wrong tariff for the residence purpose (e.g. travel policy for a 2-year stay); not insuring family members from day 1 of the joint entry; or missing the switch from the embassy bridge (Care Economy) to the long-term contract (Care Expatriate / DAK) before the residence-permit appointment.

    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 an uninsured first day in Germany can cost an expat

    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.

    Flight booked? Cover has to be in force on the entry date — file before the embassy / Ausländerbehörde appointment

    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 decision to recognised proof — in 3 steps

    10 minutes online for Care Expatriate or Care Economy, the policy document is issued by email and is accepted by every German embassy and every Ausländerbehörde for the residence permit. Once the employer registers the work contract, DAK automatically takes over under § 5 SGB V.

    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 for the long-term residence permit in Germany

    4.9/5 · Since 2009 · Over 10,000 policies issued
    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

    4.9/5 · Since 2009 · Over 10,000 policies issued

    Full price tables — Care Expatriate · Care Economy · DAK-Gesundheit

    Quick answer: Three recognised products cover the full expat path: Care Expatriate from €58/month (long-term residence permit, up to 5 years), Care Economy from €30/30 days (embassy / job-search / Chancenkarte bridge, up to 2 years), and statutory DAK at ~17.8% of gross salary once the employer registers the work contract.

    Long-term residence permit — Care Expatriate

    HanseMerkur incoming, ages 0–74, up to 5 years, accepted for § 18a / § 21 AufenthG, valid worldwide including the home country (3 tiers — Basic / Comfort / Premium):

    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.

    Embassy & entry bridge — Care Economy

    Schengen-conform incoming, ages 0–74, 1 day to 2 years, accepted for visitor / job-search / Chancenkarte:

    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.

    Statutory once the employer registers the contract — DAK-Gesundheit

    Statutory under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V, ~17.8% of gross salary, employer pays half, free Familienversicherung for spouse and children (DAK button price: 17.8% of gross (open-ended)):

    DAK-Gesundheit for employees (statutory)
    General contribution rate
    14.6 % of gross
    + 3.2 % DAK supplement = 17.8 %
    Employer / employee share
    8.9 % each
    Paid 50/50
    Compulsory long-term care
    approx. 3.6 % standard
    4.2 % childless from age 23 · reductions depending on number of children
    Total (incl. care, childless)
    ≈ 22.0 % of gross
    Depending on long-term care variant
    Family co-insurance
    possible
    Spouse & children covered under statutory conditions
    Sickness pay (Krankengeld)
    from day 43
    70 % of gross, max 78 weeks
    Compulsory insurance limit (JAEG)
    €77,400 / year
    = €6,450 / month (as of 2026)
    Income-based
    No flat rate — contribution scales with gross salary
    Family covered free
    Spouse without income + children co-insured
    Mandatory under JAEG
    Gross < €77,400 / year → statutory insurance required

    2026 contribution rates: 14.6 % general + 3.2 % DAK supplement = 17.8 %; split 50/50 between employer and employee (8.9 % each). Compulsory long-term care approx. 3.6 % standard, 4.2 % childless from age 23, reductions depending on number of children. Family co-insurance possible under statutory conditions. As of 2026.

    FAQ — Expat moving to Germany: when must health insurance cover exist?

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When exactly must health insurance cover exist for an expat moving to Germany?

    Cover must START on or before the date of entry into Germany — not on the date of the Anmeldung at the Einwohnermeldeamt and not on the date of the residence-permit appointment. Most German embassies already require proof of recognised cover at the visa application, before the flight. The standard recognised products are <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy from €30/30 days</a> (Schengen / short stay), <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month</a> (long-term residence permit), and statutory <a href="/en/insurance-plans/dak-gesundheit-angestellte/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">DAK-Gesundheit</a> once an employer registers the work contract.

    Is my foreign / home-country health insurance accepted by the German Ausländerbehörde?

    Foreign and travel policies are typically accepted only as a bridge for the first weeks after entry. For the residence permit itself the Ausländerbehörde requires a German-recognised contract — either statutory GKV (DAK-Gesundheit, mandatory for employees under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V) or a recognised private incoming carrier such as <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month</a> (HanseMerkur, accepted for § 18a/§ 21 AufenthG residence permits up to 5 years). Travel-only policies without an Ausländerbehörde-recognised wording are routinely refused.

    Which insurance do I need as a self-employed expat or freelancer in Germany?

    Self-employed expats and freelancers are NOT covered by statutory GKV through an employer (no § 5 SGB V trigger). The standard recognised long-term solution is <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month</a> (HanseMerkur incoming, ages 18–74, up to 5 years, accepted by every Ausländerbehörde for § 21 AufenthG self-employed residence permits). Voluntary GKV membership is technically possible but typically more expensive (around 17.8% of declared income, minimum bemessungsgrundlage applies). Compare all expat lanes in the <a href="/en/health-insurance-foreigners-in-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">foreigners hub</a>.