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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    Care Expatriate — bridge any student → job switchfrom €58/month (up to 5 years)
    The day your work contract starts, your student insurance lane ends — the wrong proof on day 1 delays HR registration AND your residence-permit renewal

    Transition from Student Visa to Expat Job in Germany: Typical Health Insurance Steps 2026

    4.9/5 · Over 10,000 policies since 2009
    Transition from student visa to expat job in Germany — switching insurance lanes from DAK Studenten / Care Student to DAK Angestellte or Care Expatriate
    Student lane
    Ends on contract day
    Employed
    DAK ~17.8%
    Self-empl. / over JAEG
    Expatriate €58/mo

    Three rules that prevent every lane gap on your first job day:

    1. 1Map your salary to the lane: Under JAEG €77,400 → DAK 17.8% of gross (open-ended) · Over JAEG or § 21 → Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years).
    2. 2Cancel only with the new Mitgliedsbescheinigung: DAK issues it in 1–3 working days; Care Expatriate within 24 hours. Never cancel before — that creates a gap that voids the residence-permit proof.
    3. 3Bridge any gap: Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) is the Schengen-conform bridge between matriculation end and contract start (typical 1–8 weeks).

    First job offer in hand? 30-second student → expat-job tariff finder →

    Inside: the one Mitgliedsbescheinigung that unlocks both HR and the Ausländerbehörde · why the JAEG €77,400 quietly decides whether you save €200/month · the bridge tariff that costs less than one day of uninsured care (~€830)

    Sources: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V (statutory employees) · § 6 Abs. 6 SGB V (JAEG €77,400 in 2025) · § 10 SGB V (Familienversicherung) · § 28a SGB IV (HR registration deadline) · § 16b / § 18a / § 21 AufenthG (permit categories) · DAK-Gesundheit tariff sheet 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

    4.9/5

    Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009

    First German job ahead? Lock in the right lane the day the contract starts — DAK Angestellte if salary is under JAEG €77,400, Care Expatriate if over JAEG or § 21 self-employed, Care Economy as the universal switch-day bridge.

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

    6 typical health-insurance steps — student visa → first expat job in Germany

    Quick answer: "What are the typical health-insurance steps when I move from a student visa to my first expat job in Germany?" — these six steps cover the trigger date, the salary-to-lane mapping, the cancellation rule, the switch-day bridge, the HR registration, and the residence-permit renewal at the Ausländerbehörde.

    1

    Student lane (DAK Studenten / Care Student / Care College)Trigger: contract start date

    The contract start date is the legal trigger under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V. From day 1 of paid employment under the JAEG (€77,400/year in 2025) the new worker is statutorily insured — the student lane ends on that exact date.

    DAK Angestellte ~17.8% of gross →

    2

    Salary under JAEG €77,400DAK Angestellte (mandatory)

    Under JAEG → mandatory DAK Angestellte at ~17.8% of gross (employer + employee split 50/50). Family insurance free for spouse and children under § 10 SGB V. Mitgliedsbescheinigung typically issued in 1–3 working days.

    DAK Angestellte ~17.8% of gross →

    3

    Salary over JAEG €77,400 OR § 21 self-employedCare Expatriate (eligible to opt out of GKV)

    Over JAEG or § 21 self-employed permit → eligible for Care Expatriate from €58/month (HanseMerkur, recognised by the Ausländerbehörde for up to 5 years, entry-age premium locked for the contract term).

    Care Expatriate from €58/month →

    4

    Old student laneCancel only with new Mitgliedsbescheinigung

    DAK Studenten / Care Student / Care College is cancellable the day the new lane starts. Wait until DAK Angestellte (or Care Expatriate) issues the Mitgliedsbescheinigung — never cancel before, otherwise you create a coverage gap that voids the residence-permit proof.

    Care Expatriate from €58/month (private side) →

    5

    Gap: matriculation end → contract startCare Economy from €30/30 days

    If matriculation ends before the work contract starts (typical 1–8 week gap), Care Economy from €30/30 days (Schengen-conform, ages 0–74) is the recognised bridge. Cancellable monthly when the new lane begins.

    Care Economy from €30/30 days →

    6

    HR + AusländerbehördeSubmit the new long-term proof

    HR registers the new GKV (DAK) within 6 weeks under § 28a SGB IV. The Ausländerbehörde needs the new long-term certificate when the residence permit is renewed (typically § 16b → § 18a Skilled Worker, or § 21 Self-employed). The certificate must cover the entire requested permit duration.

    DAK Angestellte (statutory) or Care Expatriate (private) →

    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 cancelling the student lane too early can cost

    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.

    Job offer signed? Lock in the new lane this week — HR registration takes up to 6 weeks under § 28a SGB IV

    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 student lane to first-job lane — in 3 steps

    10 minutes online for Care Expatriate (long-term over JAEG / § 21) or Care Economy (switch-day bridge), the policy document is issued by email in German + English and is accepted by HR and every Ausländerbehörde for the residence-permit renewal. For § 18a employed under the JAEG, DAK takes over under § 5 SGB V the day the employer registers the contract.

    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 graduates say about Care Expatriate and DAK for the student → first-job transition 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 Expatriate · DAK-Gesundheit · Care Economy

    Quick answer: Three recognised products cover every student → first-job scenario: Care Expatriate from €58/month for the over-JAEG / § 21 self-employed lane (entry-age premium locked for up to 60 months), statutory DAK at ~17.8% of gross under the JAEG for the § 18a employed lane (employer pays half), and Care Economy from €30/30 days as the switch-day bridge.

    Over JAEG or § 21 self-employed — Care Expatriate

    HanseMerkur incoming, ages 0–74, up to 5 years, accepted by the Ausländerbehörde for the over-JAEG and § 21 self-employed lanes, certificate issued in German + English (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.

    Under JAEG — DAK-Gesundheit (mandatory)

    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.

    Switch-day bridge — Care Economy

    Schengen-conform incoming, ages 0–74, 1 day to 2 years, cancellable the day the new lane (DAK or Care Expatriate) is in place:

    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 — Health insurance for the student → first expat-job switch in Germany

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which health insurance lane do I switch to when I start my first expat job in Germany?

    It depends on your gross salary versus the JAEG (€77,400/year in 2025). Under JAEG → mandatory <a href="/en/insurance-plans/dak-gesundheit-angestellte/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">DAK-Gesundheit at ~17.8% of gross</a> from the contract start date under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V (employer pays half, ~8.9%). Over JAEG OR § 21 self-employed permit → eligible for <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month</a> (HanseMerkur, recognised by the Ausländerbehörde for up to 5 years). The student lane (DAK Studenten / Care Student / Care College) ends on the contract start date.

    Can I cancel my student insurance the day before my new job starts?

    No — cancel only when the new Mitgliedsbescheinigung is in hand. <a href="/en/insurance-plans/dak-gesundheit-angestellte/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">DAK Angestellte</a> typically issues it within 1–3 working days after contract registration; <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate</a> usually within 24 hours. If your matriculation ends before the contract starts (typical 1–8 week gap), bridge with <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy from €30/30 days</a> (Schengen-conform, cancellable monthly).

    What does HR need from me on day 1 of the new expat job in Germany?

    HR needs your tax ID, social-security number, and a Mitgliedsbescheinigung from your statutory health insurance (DAK or another GKV) — they have 6 weeks under § 28a SGB IV to register your contract. The full HR insurance-proof checklist for expats is on the <a href="/en/guide-health-insurance-germany/health-insurance-expats-germany/expat-job-start-what-hr-and-employer-require-as-insurance-proof-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">HR proof page</a>. If your salary is over JAEG €77,400 you may opt out of GKV and choose <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month</a> instead.