Expat with family in Germany — joint health insurance planning for partner and children
- Employee under JAEG (€77,400/yr, 2026): DAK-Familienversicherung free for spouse (≤ €556/mo) + children (§ 10 SGB V)
- Self-employed / § 21 AufenthG: Care Expatriate from €58/month per person (HanseMerkur · up to 5 years · DE/EN certificate)
- Visa / Anmeldung bridge: Care Economy from €30/30 days (Schengen-conform · ages 0–74 · bookable from foreign address)
Three rules that decide how the spouse and children of an expat are typically insured in Germany:
- 1Employee under the JAEG → DAK-Familienversicherung is free: Spouse co-insured for free if their own income is ≤ €556/month (2026 mini-job limit); children free up to age 23 (or 25 if in education) — § 10 SGB V.
- 2Self-employed, § 21 AufenthG or private-opt → one contract per person: Statutory family co-insurance is not available. The recognised long-term lane is Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) per family member — accepted by the Ausländerbehörde, up to 5 years, certificate in German + English.
- 3Visa / Anmeldung phase → short bridge for the whole family: Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) (ages 0–74) is the recognised Schengen-conform short cover, bookable from a foreign address and cancellable the day the long-term lane starts.
Family arriving with you in the next weeks? 30-second family lane finder →
Inside: the one income limit (€556/mo) that decides whether the spouse is free in DAK · why each family member typically needs an own Care Expatriate policy under § 21 AufenthG · the typical mistake (one travel certificate for the whole family) that pauses most permits
Sources: § 10 SGB V (DAK-Familienversicherung — free co-insurance) · § 5 / § 21 AufenthG (residence permit & cover precondition) · § 8 SGB IV / § 18 SGB IV (mini-job limit €556/mo, 2026) · JAEG €77,400/yr (BMAS 2026) · HanseMerkur Care Expatriate / Care Economy 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
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
Family in Germany? DAK-Familienversicherung is free for employee families under the JAEG; self-employed and § 21 AufenthG families typically take Care Expatriate per person — bookable from a foreign address.
3 family scenarios that decide the lane for partner and children — and what each typically requires
Quick answer: "Which insurance covers my partner and children when I move to Germany as an expat?" — three scenarios cover almost every family case. The split follows the main earner's status: employee under the JAEG → free DAK family insurance; self-employed or § 21 AufenthG → one Care Expatriate policy per person; pre-job phase → Care Economy as the short bridge.
Main earner is an employee under the JAEG (€77,400/yr, 2026)
Typical rule: Spouse income ≤ €556/mo · children up to 23 (25 in education)
If the expat works as an employee with gross income below the JAEG, statutory DAK-Gesundheit is mandatory (~17.8% of gross, half paid by the employer). The non-working spouse and children are typically covered for free via DAK-Familienversicherung (§ 10 SGB V), provided the spouse's own income stays under the €556/month mini-job limit (2026). Children are co-insured free up to age 23 — or up to age 25 if in school or studies.
Main earner is self-employed, on § 21 AufenthG, or above JAEG and chose private
Typical rule: Own contract per family member · § 5 / § 21 AufenthG accepted
If the main earner is self-employed (§ 21 AufenthG), a freelancer, or an employee above the JAEG who opted for a private incoming product, statutory family co-insurance is not available. Each family member needs an own contract. Care Expatriate (HanseMerkur incoming) from €58/month at entry age 13–40 (Basic) is recognised by the Ausländerbehörde, runs up to 5 years and is issued in German + English — also for partner and children individually.
Family arrives before the main earner's job / Anmeldung is set up
Typical rule: Schengen-conform · DE/EN PDF · cancellable on long-term start
During the visa, move-in and Anmeldung phase the family typically has no employer link yet. Care Economy from €30/30 days (Schengen-conform incoming, ages 0–74) is the recognised short bridge — bookable from a foreign address with an instant German + English PDF certificate. It is normally cancelled the day the long-term lane (DAK-Familienversicherung or Care Expatriate) takes over.
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 family arrives in Germany without one recognised certificate per family member
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.
Family move-in or joint Ausländerbehörde appointment in the next weeks? Lock the right lane per person today
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 family cover — in 3 steps
10 minutes online for Care Expatriate (per family member) or Care Economy (short bridge); each policy document is issued by email in German + English and accepted by landlords, banks (placeholder) and the Ausländerbehörde for § 5 / § 21 AufenthG. After the job starts, employee families switch to the free DAK-Familienversicherung lane.
Long-term stay covered in 3 steps
Care Expatriate can cover longer incoming stays up to 5 years, depending on age and selected plan.
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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.
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Complete the application
Enter passport, destination, stay details and requested coverage period online. Additional questions may apply depending on the plan.
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Submit your proof
Receive PDF confirmation after successful application and submit it to the embassy, consulate or immigration authority if requested.
What expat families say about Care Expatriate as the recognised per-person lane for partner and children 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
The 2 recognised private lanes for expat families in Germany
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
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
Job change in the family? Health insurance at employer change. Need the lane logic in detail? Private vs. statutory — which factors matter. Permit context: why insurance is almost always required. Compare every lane in the foreigners hub.
Full price tables — Care Expatriate · Care Economy (per family member)
Quick answer: Two recognised products cover non-statutory expat families: Care Expatriate from €58/month per person for the long-term residence permit, and Care Economy from €30/30 days for the short bridge during the visa and Anmeldung phase. Both are bookable from a foreign address; each family member receives an own certificate in German + English.
Long-term — Care Expatriate (per family member)
HanseMerkur incoming, ages 0–74, up to 5 years, accepted by the Ausländerbehörde for § 5 / § 21 AufenthG, certificate issued 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.
Short bridge — Care Economy
Schengen-conform incoming, ages 0–74, 1 day to 2 years, bookable from a foreign address, cancellable the day the long-term lane 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.
FAQ — Joint family planning for expats in Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my spouse and child automatically covered by my DAK-Gesundheit insurance in Germany?
Only if you are an employee under the JAEG (€77,400/year, 2026) and your spouse's own income stays under the €556/month mini-job limit (2026). In that case DAK-Familienversicherung (§ 10 SGB V) covers spouse and children for free — children up to age 23, or age 25 if in school or studies. If you are self-employed, on § 21 AufenthG or above the JAEG and chose private, family co-insurance does not apply. The recognised lane in that case is <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month</a> per family member. See also <a href="/en/guide-health-insurance-germany/health-insurance-expats-germany/private-vs-statutory-health-insurance-expats-which-factors-typically-matter-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">private vs. statutory — which factors matter</a>.
How does insurance work for the family during the visa and Anmeldung phase?
Before the main earner's contract starts, the family typically has no employer link yet. The recognised short bridge is <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy from €30/30 days</a> — Schengen-conform, ages 0–74, bookable from a foreign address with an instant German + English PDF certificate. It is normally cancelled the day the long-term lane (DAK-Familienversicherung after the job starts, or Care Expatriate) takes over.
Will the Ausländerbehörde accept one insurance certificate for the whole family?
Normally each family member needs an own certificate covering the full requested permit duration under § 5 / § 21 AufenthG. With <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month</a> (HanseMerkur, up to 5 years) the spouse and each child receive an individual policy document in German + English. A travel-style policy stretched across years is normally rejected. Permit context: <a href="/en/guide-health-insurance-germany/health-insurance-expats-germany/residence-permit-expats-why-health-insurance-almost-always-matters-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">why insurance is almost always required</a>.