Pregnancy in Germany as an expat — health insurance, proofs, costs and doctor
- Long-term lane: Care Expatriate from €58/month (HanseMerkur · 8-month waiting period · Comfort/Premium for planned birth)
- Statutory lane: DAK-Gesundheit ~17.8% of gross (employer pays half · pregnancy covered from day 1 · no waiting period)
- Excluded: Care Visa Protect & Care Economy (only acute, life-threatening complications — never the pregnancy lane)
Three rules that decide which insurance actually covers prenatal care, the Hebamme and the birth for an expat in Germany:
- 1Pregnancy must start AFTER the policy starts: Every incoming policy excludes a pregnancy that already exists at application. For self-employed expats and § 21 AufenthG holders, the cheapest path is to start Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) well before conception, so the 8-month waiting period is over by the time pregnancy begins.
- 2DAK-Gesundheit covers pregnancy from day 1: Once the employee contract starts, statutory cover (~17.8% of gross, employer pays half) covers prenatal, midwife, ultrasounds, birth and postnatal — no waiting period. The newborn is added free of charge under § 10 SGB V family insurance.
- 3Care Visa Protect / Care Economy are NOT a pregnancy lane: Both products explicitly exclude pregnancy and planned birth — only acute, life-threatening complications would be reimbursed. They are valid as bridge / Schengen cover for non-pregnancy use cases only.
Family planning starting in the next 12 months? 30-second pregnancy lane finder →
Inside: why a pregnancy known at application is excluded by every incoming policy · the difference between Comfort and Premium for planned birth in Care Expatriate · how the newborn is added to DAK family insurance for free under § 10 SGB V
Sources: HanseMerkur Care Expatriate AVB (8-month waiting period for pregnancy) · HanseMerkur Care Economy / Care Visa Protect AVB (pregnancy excluded) · § 5 / § 21 AufenthG (residence permit & cover precondition) · § 5 SGB V (statutory GKV via employment) · § 10 SGB V (free family insurance for newborns) · DAK-Gesundheit 2026 contribution rate · 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
Pregnancy lane in Germany: Care Expatriate is the recognised long-term cover (8-month waiting period, must start before conception). DAK-Gesundheit covers pregnancy from day 1 of the employee contract — no waiting period. Care Visa Protect and Care Economy do not cover pregnancy.
3 typical pregnancy scenarios for expats in Germany — and the recognised insurance lane per case
Quick answer: "Which insurance covers pregnancy for expats in Germany?" Care Expatriate from €58/month covers prenatal, midwife and birth after an 8-month waiting period — only if the pregnancy starts after the policy start date. DAK-Gesundheit (~17.8% of gross, employer pays half) covers pregnancy fully from day 1 of the employee contract with no waiting period. Care Visa Protect and Care Economy do not cover pregnancy.
Pregnancy already exists at policy start (visible / known)
Incoming policies (Care Expatriate, Care Economy, Care Visa Protect) only cover a pregnancy that started AFTER the policy start date. A pregnancy known at the moment of application is excluded — only acute, life-threatening complications would be reimbursed. The recognised lane is statutory cover via DAK-Gesundheit (~17.8% of gross), which opens on day 1 of the employee contract with no waiting period and full prenatal, midwife and birth cover. For self-employed expats and § 21 AufenthG holders this is a hard planning point — the family-planning guide details the exact options.
Pregnancy starts AFTER the Care Expatriate policy starts (the typical case)
If conception happens after the policy start date, Care Expatriate (HanseMerkur incoming, ages 0–74) covers all pregnancy treatment after an 8-month waiting period — prenatal visits, ultrasounds, the Hebamme (midwife) and the birth itself. Comfort or Premium tiers cover the planned birth; complications are covered in all three tiers. From €58/month at entry age 13–40 (Basic), recognised by the Ausländerbehörde under § 5 / § 21 AufenthG, certificate in German + English. The waiting-period mechanic means timing the policy start before family planning is the cheapest path.
Pregnant expat with an employee contract — statutory GKV from day 1
Once the employee contract starts, statutory DAK-Gesundheit (~17.8% of gross, employer pays half, ~8.9% net cost to the employee) covers pregnancy and birth fully from day 1 — prenatal, midwife, ultrasounds, birth, postnatal, all included with no waiting period. The eGK arrives within ~14 days of payroll registration. The newborn is added to the family insurance (free) under § 10 SGB V. This is the strongest lane for pregnant expat employees and applies regardless of when the pregnancy started.
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 a pregnant expat relies on Care Visa Protect or Care Economy — or signs Care Expatriate when the pregnancy already exists
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 planning starting soon? Lock the Care Expatriate policy today — the 8-month waiting period only counts down once the policy is active
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 application to recognised pregnancy cover — in 3 steps
10 minutes online for Care Expatriate, the policy document is issued by email in German + English and is accepted by the Ausländerbehörde for § 5 / § 21 AufenthG. The 8-month waiting period for pregnancy starts on the policy start date. Comfort or Premium tier is needed for the planned birth; complications are covered in all three tiers.
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 long-term pregnancy lane 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 two recognised pregnancy lanes — Care Expatriate (incoming, 8-month wait) and DAK-Gesundheit (statutory, day 1)
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
DAK-Gesundheit Employees
currently 17.8% of gross income
(employer pays half · plus long-term care insurance)
For foreign employees with a social-security-covered job in Germany
- Statutory health insurance for employees in Germany
- Employer pays half of the health insurance contribution
- Family coverage for spouse & children may be possible under statutory rules
- Doctor, dentist, hospital, pharmacy & prescription medication coverage
- Health insurance card for medical treatment in Germany
- EU/EEA coverage via the European Health Insurance Card
- Save €120 per year with DAK Garantietarif 120 possible
- Optional: DAK Fit & Travel with additional benefits up to age 39
- Mandatory long-term care insurance also applies
- Reputable statutory health insurance provider
Why DAK-Gesundheit?
For foreign employees in Germany who need statutory health insurance with a health insurance card, employer contribution and possible family coverage.
Why statutory health insurance as an employee?
More security in everyday working life in Germany: the employer pays half, family members may be covered free of charge under certain conditions, and medical treatment is handled easily through the health insurance card.
- 🏛️ DAK-Gesundheit
- 📄 Membership certificate for employers & authorities
- 🔒 Doctor, dentist, clinic, pharmacy & prescription medication
- 🏷️ Currently 17.8% of gross income · employer pays half
→ Complete the application, start your membership, receive your health insurance card
Family planning context? Expat family — joint planning for partner and children. Lane comparison: 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 (incoming) & DAK-Gesundheit (statutory)
Quick answer: Care Expatriate is the only incoming product that covers pregnancy in Germany — after an 8-month waiting period and only if the pregnancy starts after the policy start date. Comfort/Premium tier is needed for the planned birth; complications are covered in all three tiers. DAK-Gesundheit (statutory) covers pregnancy fully from day 1 of the employee contract — no waiting period, employer pays half.
Long-term — Care Expatriate (3 tiers)
HanseMerkur incoming, ages 0–74, up to 5 years, accepted by the Ausländerbehörde for § 5 / § 21 AufenthG, certificate in German + English. Pregnancy covered after 8-month waiting period; planned birth in 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.
Statutory — DAK-Gesundheit (employees)
Statutory GKV via DAK-Gesundheit, ~17.8% of gross (employer pays half, ~8.9% net to the employee). Pregnancy, prenatal care, midwife (Hebamme), ultrasounds, vaginal or C-section birth and postnatal are covered from day 1 — no waiting period. Newborn added free of charge under § 10 SGB V family insurance:
| 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)
|
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 — Pregnancy and health insurance for expats in Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Care Visa Protect or Care Economy cover pregnancy in Germany?
No. Both Care Visa Protect (Schengen, up to 92 days) and Care Economy (incoming bridge, up to 2 years) explicitly exclude pregnancy and planned birth — only acute, life-threatening complications would be reimbursed. The recognised pregnancy lane 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 0–74, up to 5 years) — prenatal, ultrasounds, midwife and the birth itself are covered after an 8-month waiting period, provided the pregnancy starts after the policy start date.
What does the 8-month waiting period in Care Expatriate mean in practice?
It means pregnancy treatment (prenatal visits, the Hebamme, ultrasounds and the birth) is covered if the policy has been active for at least 8 months when the treatment is rendered, AND the pregnancy itself started AFTER the policy start. Practical implication: starting <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month</a> well before family planning is the cheapest path. Comfort or Premium tier is needed for the planned birth; complications are covered in all three tiers.
I just signed an employee contract in Germany and I am already pregnant — am I covered?
Yes. Statutory <a href="/en/insurance-plans/dak-gesundheit/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">DAK-Gesundheit (~17.8% of gross, employer pays half)</a> covers pregnancy and birth fully from day 1 of the contract — prenatal, midwife, ultrasounds, birth and postnatal — with no waiting period. The eGK (electronic health card) arrives within ~14 days. The newborn is added to the family insurance for free under § 10 SGB V. See the <a href="/en/guide-health-insurance-germany/health-insurance-expats-germany/expat-with-family-joint-planning-partner-children-typical-questions-and-mistakes-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">family-planning guide</a> for partner and child registration.