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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    Care Expatriate — recognised for the residence permitfrom €58/month (up to 5 years)
    No recognised insurance proof = no residence permit (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 AufenthG) — even a perfect job offer does not override it

    Residence Permit for Expats: Why Health Insurance Is Almost Always Required (2026) in Germany

    4.9/5 · Over 10,000 policies since 2009
    Residence permit for expats in Germany — why health insurance is almost always required (§ 5 AufenthG) and which proofs the Ausländerbehörde accepts
    Precondition
    § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 AufenthG
    Long-term
    Care Expatriate €58/mo
    Employed
    DAK ~17.8%

    Three immovable rules — why "ausreichender Krankenversicherungsschutz" decides the residence permit:

    1. 1Match the proof to the residence purpose: Employees with a German work contract are mandatorily statutory under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V (DAK ~17.8% of gross). Self-employed / freelancers / job-seekers use Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) for § 18a / § 21 AufenthG.
    2. 2Cover the full validity period: A 1-year travel policy will not get you a 3-year residence permit. The Ausländerbehörde checks that the policy end date is on or after the requested permit end date — Care Expatriate runs up to 60 months in a single contract (no renewal at higher entry age).
    3. 3Get the wording right: Most rejections are about a missing field, not the price. The certificate (German or English) must show full name as on the passport, validity period, geographical scope, insurer name. Use Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) as the embassy / entry bridge before switching to the long-term contract.

    Already have a permit appointment? 30-second residence-permit tariff finder →

    Inside: the one missing field that gets most expat permits postponed · why a 12-month policy will not back a 36-month permit · the entry-age trap that doubles the long-term premium

    Sources: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 AufenthG (cover precondition) · § 18a / § 21 / § 16b / § 36 AufenthG (permit categories) · § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V (statutory 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

    Residence-permit appointment soon? Take out Care Expatriate so the Ausländerbehörde sees a recognised long-term contract on the day — travel-only policies are routinely refused.

    🏛️ 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 around the residence-permit insurance proof

    Quick answer: "Why is health insurance almost always required for a German residence permit?" — most expats run into one of five issues: using a travel-only policy as residence-permit proof; a policy end date before the requested permit end date; a wording missing the geographical scope or insurer contact; choosing a private tariff while a German work contract is already in place (mandatory GKV under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V); or no proof at all for the joining family member under § 36 AufenthG.

    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 a refused residence permit 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.

    Permit appointment booked? Have the recognised contract in force on the day — switch from travel / bridge to long-term before

    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 Ausländerbehörde for the residence permit. Once the employer registers the work contract, DAK automatically takes over under § 5 SGB V and issues the GKV membership confirmation.

    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 German residence permit

    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 back the full residence-permit path: Care Expatriate from €58/month (long-term, 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 — Residence permit for expats: why health insurance is almost always required

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Why is health insurance almost always required for a German residence permit?

    Under <strong>§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 AufenthG</strong> ("ausreichender Krankenversicherungsschutz") proof of recognised health-insurance cover is a general precondition of nearly every residence permit — Skilled Worker (§ 18a), Self-employed (§ 21), Study (§ 16b), Family Reunification (§ 36), EU Blue Card. The Ausländerbehörde refuses or postpones the permit if the proof is missing, the wording is wrong, or the policy is travel-only. Standard recognised products: <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month</a> (long-term, up to 5 years) and <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy from €30/30 days</a> (embassy / Chancenkarte bridge).

    Which residence-permit categories accept Care Expatriate as recognised health-insurance proof?

    <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate</a> (HanseMerkur incoming, ages 18–74, up to 5 years) is accepted by every Ausländerbehörde for the standard private-cover residence permits: § 18a AufenthG Skilled Worker (where no GKV trigger exists, e.g. high-earner contract), § 21 AufenthG Self-employed and Freelancer, § 20 AufenthG Job-seeker, § 36 AufenthG Family Reunification (the joining family member). Employees with a German work contract under the JAEG threshold (€77,400/year in 2025) are mandatorily statutory under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V — typically <a href="/en/insurance-plans/dak-gesundheit-angestellte/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">DAK-Gesundheit</a>.

    What does the Ausländerbehörde need to see on my insurance proof for the residence permit?

    A recognised insurance certificate in German or English with: (a) full name as on the passport, (b) date of birth, (c) validity period covering the entire duration of the residence permit applied for, (d) geographical scope (Germany / Schengen / worldwide), (e) insurer name, address and contact, (f) confirmation of recognised inpatient and outpatient cover. Travel-only wordings, foreign credit-card insurances and policies expiring before the residence-permit end date are routinely refused. The <a href="/en/guide-health-insurance-germany/health-insurance-expats-germany/expat-moving-to-germany-when-health-insurance-cover-must-exist-checklist-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">moving-to-Germany checklist</a> covers the embassy → entry → Anmeldung → permit timing in detail.