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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    Care Expatriate — long-term proof for § 5 / § 21 AufenthGfrom €58/month (up to 5 years)
    Length of stay decides the lane: ≤ 90 days = Schengen Care Visa Protect, 3–24 months = Care Economy, 24+ months / permit = Care Expatriate or DAK-Gesundheit. The wrong lane is the #1 reason permits get paused.

    Health insurance and length of stay in Germany — short vs long-term, which tariff fits

    4.9/5 · Over 10,000 policies since 2009
    Health insurance and length of stay in Germany — short stays up to 90 days use Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day, medium 3–24-month stays use Care Economy from €30/30 days and long stays from 24 months use Care Expatriate from €58/month or DAK-Gesundheit at ~17.8% of gross
    ≤ 90 days
    Visa Protect €0.85/d
    3–24 mo
    Economy €30/30d
    24+ mo
    Expatriate €58/mo

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

    Three rules that decide which insurance lane the embassy, Ausländerbehörde and payroll office typically expect — by length of stay:

    1. 1≤ 90 days = Schengen rules: EU-VO 810/2009 requires at least €30,000 medical cover, valid in all Schengen states, including emergency repatriation. Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (up to 92 days) is the standard recognised product.
    2. 23–24 months = incoming bridge: Chancenkarte, family visit and the gap between visa and employer contract are typically covered by Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) — bookable from a foreign address, instant DE + EN PDF.
    3. 324+ months / permit = recognised long-term lane: The Ausländerbehörde requires cover for the full requested permit duration — Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) (HanseMerkur, up to 5 years) for the self-employed / pre-contract phase; statutory DAK-Gesundheit (~17.8% of gross) once the employee contract starts.

    Not sure which length bucket fits? 30-second stay-duration tariff finder →

    Inside: the 90-day Schengen rule that quietly disqualifies most travel policies · the 24-month ceiling on Care Economy and what to switch to · the one mistake (travel cover used for § 21 AufenthG) that pauses most permits

    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

    Length of stay decides the recognised lane: ≤ 90 days Care Visa Protect (Schengen), 3–24 months Care Economy (bridge / Chancenkarte), 24+ months Care Expatriate (§ 5 / § 21 AufenthG) or DAK-Gesundheit once the employee contract starts. All three are bookable from a foreign address.

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

    3 stay-duration buckets — which insurance lane is recognised for each

    Quick answer: "Which insurance fits a short, medium or long stay in Germany?" Up to 90 days: Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (Schengen, EU-VO 810/2009). 3–24 months: Care Economy from €30/30 days (Chancenkarte, family visit, visa-to-job bridge). 24+ months or any § 5 / § 21 AufenthG residence permit: Care Expatriate from €58/month (HanseMerkur, up to 5 years) or statutory DAK-Gesundheit (~17.8% of gross) once the employee contract starts.

    Bucket 1 / 3

    Short stay — up to 90 days (Schengen, visit, business trip)

    For stays up to 90 days the recognised lane is a Schengen-conform travel-style cover meeting 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 and the Bundespolizei at entry.

    Typical requirement: EU-VO 810/2009 · ≥ €30,000 · all Schengen states · repatriation
    Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (Schengen) →
    Bucket 2 / 3

    Medium stay — 3 to 24 months (Chancenkarte, family visit, bridge)

    For stays between roughly 3 and 24 months, a recognised incoming product without permanent-stay status is the typical lane: Care Economy from €30/30 days (ages 0–74, up to 24 months, Schengen-conform, bookable from a foreign address). It is the standard cover for the Chancenkarte (§ 20a AufenthG opportunity card), longer family visits, and as a bridge between visa and employee contract — but it is not normally accepted as the long-term proof for § 5 / § 21 AufenthG.

    Typical requirement: 3–24 months · DE/EN PDF · foreign-address booking · Chancenkarte
    Care Economy from €30/30 days (bridge) →
    Bucket 3 / 3

    Long stay — 24+ months / open-ended (residence permit, employment)

    From roughly 24 months onwards — and for every § 5 / § 21 AufenthG residence permit — the certificate must cover the full requested permit duration. The two recognised long-term lanes are Care Expatriate from €58/month (HanseMerkur incoming, entry age 13–40 Basic, up to 60 months, accepted nationwide) for the self-employed / freelance / pre-contract phase, and statutory DAK-Gesundheit (~17.8% of gross, employer pays half) once the employee contract starts and payroll is registered.

    Typical requirement: § 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 the wrong duration lane is filed at the embassy or the Ausländerbehörde

    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.

    Embassy or Anmeldung appointment in the next 14 days? Lock the right duration 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 any of the three lanes. The certificate is issued by email in German + English and is accepted by the embassy (Care Visa Protect for Schengen), banks and landlords (Care Economy as placeholder) and the Ausländerbehörde (Care Expatriate for § 5 / § 21 AufenthG).

    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 matching the insurance lane to the length of stay 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 Visa Protect · Care Economy · Care Expatriate

    Quick answer: Three recognised products cover every length-of-stay case: Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day for ≤ 90-day Schengen, Care Economy from €30/30 days for 3–24-month stays, and Care Expatriate from €58/month for 24+ months and every § 5 / § 21 AufenthG residence permit. All three are bookable from a foreign address.

    Short — Care Visa Protect

    Schengen-conform (EU-VO 810/2009), ≥ €30,000 medical cover, ages 0–74, up to 92 days, valid in all Schengen states, 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.

    Medium — 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.

    Long — 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.

    FAQ — Health insurance and length of stay in Germany

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which tariff fits a 90-day stay in Germany?

    Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (minimum €7.50) for Schengen visa holders, or Care Economy from €30/30 days (age 0–49) for tourist and family-visit purposes. Both accepted under EU Regulation 810/2009.

    Which tariff fits a 12-month stay in Germany?

    Care Expatriate from €58/month (age 18–29) or Care Economy from €30/30 days for tourist-track stays. Care Expatriate runs 1–60 months and is accepted for residence permits under § 5 AufenthG.

    Which tariff fits a 5-year stay in Germany?

    Care Expatriate (up to 60 months from €58/month) or GKV — DAK-Gesundheit at 17.8% of gross once employed. Under €77,400/year (JVEG 2026) GKV is mandatory; above, private stays possible.

    Can I extend Care Economy beyond 24 months?

    No — Care Economy is capped at 24 months. For longer stays, switch to Care Expatriate (1–60 months, from €58/month) or enter GKV once employed. The transition is cancellable monthly with proof of new cover.

    Does the Ausländerbehörde treat short and long stays differently for insurance?

    Under 90 days → Schengen policy accepted (Care Visa Protect from €0. Yes. 85/day). Over 90 days → recognised Incoming or GKV required under § 5 AufenthG. Care Expatriate covers both bridging and long stays from €58/month.

    What is the difference between short-stay and long-stay health insurance in Germany?

    Short-stay insurance (e.g. Care Visa Protect from 0.85 €/day) covers Schengen visits up to 92 days. Long-stay requires comprehensive cover like Care Expatriate (from 58 €/month) or statutory insurance (GKV).

    How long can I stay in Germany with travel insurance?

    Travel insurance typically covers up to 90 days. For longer stays, you need an incoming policy like Care Economy (from 30 €/30 days, up to 2 years) or full statutory insurance.

    Can I switch from short-term to long-term insurance in Germany?

    Yes. If your stay extends beyond 90 days, you can switch from Care Visa Protect to Care Expatriate (from 58 €/month, up to 5 years). Plan the switch 2–4 weeks before your short-term policy expires to avoid a coverage gap.