Expat without a German address — insurance proof for the Anmeldung, bank and Ausländerbehörde
- Landlord / hotel placeholder: Care Economy from €30/30 days (Schengen-conform · DE/EN PDF · foreign address OK)
- Bank + Ausländerbehörde long-term: Care Expatriate from €58/month (HanseMerkur · § 5 / § 21 AufenthG · up to 5 years)
- Statutory DAK-Gesundheit only opens after the employee contract starts — cannot be used as pre-Anmeldung proof
Three rules that decide which insurance the landlord, bank and Ausländerbehörde typically accept before your Anmeldung is registered:
- 1Foreign address is fine for the application: Both Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) and Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) can be booked from a foreign address — the certificate is issued by email in German + English within minutes.
- 2Right lane per agency: Landlords usually accept Care Economy as basic placeholder; banks accept the same during the Anmeldung phase and expect Care Expatriate for the permanent Girokonto; the Ausländerbehörde normally requires Care Expatriate (or another recognised long-term tariff) for § 5 / § 21 AufenthG.
- 3Travel-style cover is rejected for the permit: A travel/incoming policy stretched beyond its scope is normally rejected at the Ausländerbehörde — the certificate must cover the full requested permit duration, not just the first weeks.
First Anmeldung appointment soon? 30-second pre-Anmeldung tariff finder →
Inside: the 3 agencies that ask for insurance before your German address exists · why a foreign address is enough to book Care Economy or Care Expatriate · the one mistake (travel cover used for § 21 AufenthG) that pauses most permits
Sources: § 5 / § 21 AufenthG (residence permit & cover precondition) · § 17 BMG (Anmeldung 14-day deadline) · § 5 SGB V (statutory GKV via employment — opens only after contract start) · 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
No German address yet? Both Care Economy (short bridge) and Care Expatriate (long-term, § 21 AufenthG) are bookable from a foreign address — DE/EN certificate by email in minutes.
3 agencies that ask for insurance proof before your German address exists — and what each typically expects
Quick answer: "What insurance proof do landlord, bank and Ausländerbehörde expect from an expat without a registered German address?" — three agencies cover almost every pre-Anmeldung case. The split is binary: a Schengen-conform Care Economy certificate for the placeholder needs, and a recognised long-term Care Expatriate certificate for the residence permit and the permanent bank setup.
Landlord / WG / hotel longstay (Wohnung)
Typical ask: Insurance certificate (PDF, DE/EN) · valid from move-in date
Most landlords ask for a basic insurance proof together with the Mietvertrag — primarily liability + minimal health cover so the flat is not a financial risk on day 1. Care Economy from €30/30 days produces a Schengen-conform PDF certificate (DE + EN) within minutes; the policy is bookable from a foreign address.
Bank account opening (Girokonto / Sperrkonto)
Typical ask: Insurance proof + ID · expected upgrade to long-term cover
German banks normally require ID, German address (after Anmeldung) and proof of basic cover before activating the account. While the Anmeldung is pending, a Care Economy certificate is widely accepted as the placeholder cover. For the long-term Girokonto setup the bank later expects a recognised long-term tariff such as Care Expatriate.
Ausländerbehörde appointment (residence permit)
Typical ask: § 5 / § 21 AufenthG: long-term cover · DE + EN certificate
For § 5 / § 21 AufenthG the certificate must cover the full requested permit duration — a travel-style policy is normally rejected. Care Expatriate (HanseMerkur) from €58/month at entry age 13–40 (Basic) is recognised, runs up to 60 months and is issued in German + English even before the Anmeldung is registered.
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 tries the Anmeldung and the Ausländerbehörde appointment without a recognised insurance certificate
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.
Move-in or Ausländerbehörde appointment in the next weeks? Lock the right lane today — the 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 Economy or Care Expatriate, the policy document is issued by email in German + English and is accepted by landlords, banks (placeholder) and the Ausländerbehörde. The same certificate covers the Anmeldung step a few days later.
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 expats say about Care Expatriate as the recognised insurance proof before the German Anmeldung is registered
“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 pre-Anmeldung lanes for expats 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
Need the bridging timing rules? When bridging is enough. 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
Quick answer: Two recognised products cover every pre-Anmeldung case: Care Expatriate from €58/month for the long-term residence permit and the permanent bank setup, and Care Economy from €30/30 days for the short placeholder cover the landlord and bank ask for at move-in. Both are bookable from a foreign address.
Long-term — Care Expatriate
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 placeholder — Care Economy
Schengen-conform incoming, 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.
FAQ — Insurance proof before the German Anmeldung
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take out German health insurance before the Anmeldung is registered?
Yes — both recognised lanes can be booked from a foreign address. <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy from €30/30 days</a> issues a Schengen-conform PDF certificate in German and English within minutes and is widely accepted by landlords and as placeholder cover at banks. <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month</a> at entry age 13–40 (Basic) is the recognised long-term lane for § 5 / § 21 AufenthG and is also issued before the Anmeldung. Statutory DAK-Gesundheit only opens once the employee contract starts.
Will the Ausländerbehörde accept a travel-style insurance for my residence permit?
Normally no. For § 5 / § 21 AufenthG the certificate has to cover the full requested permit duration — typically 12–60 months. Pure travel insurance is normally rejected at this stage. The standard recognised long-term incoming product is <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), accepted nationwide and issued in German + English. See also the <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">residence permit explainer</a>.
Which insurance does a German landlord or bank typically expect before I have a registered address?
Most landlords and hotels accept a Schengen-conform <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy certificate from €30/30 days</a> as basic placeholder cover at move-in. Banks accept the same during the Anmeldung phase but normally expect an upgrade to a recognised long-term tariff such as <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month</a> for the permanent Girokonto setup. Both certificates are bookable from a foreign address — no German residence required at the time of application.