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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    Care Expatriate — fixed entry-age premium for foreign retirees (up to 5 years)from €68/month (41–60) · from €246/month (61–74)
    Every Incoming product prices at the age you enter. Waiting from 60 to 65 typically moves you from the €68/month bracket to €246/month — the entry-age lock is the single biggest cost trap for foreign retirees in Germany.

    Health insurance costs in old age — premiums, deductible and typical cost traps for foreign retirees in Germany

    Entry age 41–60: from €68/monthEntry age 61–74: from €246/month
    4.9/5 · Over 10,000 policies since 2009
    Foreign retiree in Germany — premium curve by age, €150 deductible mechanics, and four classic cost traps
    Entry age
    Lock-in price
    €150 SB
    Per year (Basic)
    4 traps
    Avoid surprises

    Three cost rules every foreign retiree in Germany should know:

    1. 1Lock the entry age early — long-term lane: Care Expatriate from €68/month (41–60) · from €246/month (61–74). Premiums are fixed at the age you enter and stay flat inside the bracket — five extra years of waiting can multiply the monthly cost.
    2. 2€150 Basic deductible only on outpatient/inpatient: Per insured person per insurance year. Comfort and Premium tiers reduce or remove it; preventive examinations covered by the contract are not subject to the deductible.
    3. 3Bridge gaps with Care Economy — never let cover lapse: A 4-week gap re-quotes the next contract at current age. Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) bridges per day — cancel the moment the long-term contract restarts.

    Lock-in vs bridge vs visit — which cost lane fits your case? 30-second tariff finder →

    Inside: the entry-age lock that doubles the premium between 60 and 65 · why the €150 deductible rarely costs healthy retirees anything · the long-term care trap most foreign retirees only discover at age 80

    Sources: § 5 SGB V (9/10 rule) · § 220 SGB V · SGB XI (Pflegeversicherung) · § 5 AufenthG · HanseMerkur Care Expatriate AVB · HanseMerkur Care Economy AVB · HanseMerkur Care Visa Protect AVB · BMG · EU Reg. 883/2004 (S1)

    Senior Stay Coverage

    Options for visitors and long-stay seniors up to entry age 74

    Visa & Residence Proof

    Proof for embassy, consulate or residence documents

    Online Application

    Receive confirmation after successful application

    4.9/5

    Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009

    Care Expatriate locks the long-term entry-age premium for foreign retirees — accepted by every Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG, up to 5 years per contract.

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

    Costs in old age — the six rules that decide what you actually pay

    Quick answer: "How much does health insurance cost a foreign retiree in Germany?" — Two main lanes: GKV / KVdR (only with 9/10 rule or EU Form S1) at ~14.6 % + Zusatzbeitrag + 3.6 % long-term care on pension income; or recognised Incoming (Care Expatriate) at fixed entry-age premiums — from €68/month at ages 41–60 and €246/month at 61–74 (Basic, €150 annual deductible). The cheapest long-term outcome is locking the entry age early and never letting cover lapse.

    • Entry-age lock: Care Expatriate prices at the age you enter — earlier entry = lower locked-in monthly premium
    • €150 Basic deductible per insured year (outpatient/inpatient) — Comfort/Premium tiers reduce it
    • GKV / KVdR contributions: ~14.6 % + Zusatzbeitrag + 3.6 % long-term care — only with 9/10 rule or EU Form S1
    • Care Expatriate is acute medical only — does NOT replace Pflegeversicherung (SGB XI) for long-term care
    • Contract gap = re-quote at current age — keep cover continuous between residence-permit renewals
    • Travel insurance with low caps → routinely rejected at the Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG

    Three cost lanes — long-term lock-in, per-day bridge, and Schengen visit

    Path 1 / 3

    Path 1 — Long-term cost lane: Care Expatriate (fixed entry-age pricing)

    For retirees without GKV access the recognised long-term cost lane is Care Expatriate: from €68/month at entry age 41–60 and €246/month at entry age 61–74 (Basic, €150 deductible per insured year). Up to 5 years per contract; PDF certificate in German + English by email within minutes; insurer is HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG (Hamburg). Comfort / Premium tiers reduce the deductible at a higher monthly premium — see the price table.

    Need: Care Expatriate · § 5 AufenthG · up to 5 years
    Care Expatriate from €68/month →
    Path 2 / 3

    Path 2 — Short-cost bridge: Care Economy per-day pricing

    For Fiktionsbescheinigung holders, EU Form S1 transfers (4–12 weeks) and other short windows, Care Economy is priced per day by age: from €1.00/day for ages 0–64 (with deductible) and €2.95/day for ages 65–74 (with deductible), minimum €10 premium. Ideal when you want to avoid paying a full month for a 2–4 week wait.

    Need: Care Economy · ≤ 2 years · with deductible
    Care Economy from €1.00/day (0–64) · €2.95/day (65–74) →
    Path 3 / 3

    Path 3 — Schengen visit cost: Care Visa Protect daily premium

    For visit windows up to 90 days the cost lane is Care Visa Protect: €0.85/day for ages 0–64 and €2.60/day for 65–74 (minimum €8.50 premium). Daily pricing — no monthly minimum, no cancellation fees. EU Reg. 810/2009 compliant (≥ €30,000 medical cover and repatriation), accepted at every German consulate.

    Need: Care Visa Protect · EU Reg. 810/2009 · ≤ 92 days
    Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (0–64) · €2.60/day (65–74) →

    Avoid the mistakes that can delay your application

    Senior prices can surprise you

    Age matters. For seniors, rates can be much higher, so show age-based pricing before the visitor applies.

    Short visit or long stay?

    Care Visa Protect or Care Economy may fit visits; Care Expatriate may fit selected longer family-stay cases.

    Entry age limit matters

    Many options have an entry-age limit. Check eligibility before preparing visa or residence documents.

    Coverage gaps create stress

    Choose the coverage period carefully if travel dates, family visit length or residence timing are uncertain.

    The four classic cost traps — entry-age lock, contract gap, wrong product for long-term care, low-cap travel policy

    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.

    👴

    Age changes everything

    Senior pricing and eligibility matter

    Older parents or seniors may face higher prices and entry-age limits, so the wrong choice can create surprises before applying.

    • 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.

    Approaching the next entry-age bracket? Lock the lower premium now

    Why act before family visit or residence paperwork

    Older visitors often face age-based pricing and eligibility limits. Waiting too long can make the right option harder to choose.

    👴

    Age affects price

    Senior rates can be much higher, so check pricing before preparing documents.

    📄

    Entry-age limits matter

    Many incoming insurance options are only available up to a specific entry age.

    ⚡

    Short visit or long stay?

    Care Visa Protect, Care Economy and Care Expatriate serve different stay lengths.

    ✅

    Avoid coverage gaps

    Choose the coverage period carefully if family visit dates or residence timing are uncertain.

    From quote to fixed-premium contract — in 3 steps

    10 minutes online. No medical exam, no health questions for standard tier cover. PDF certificate in German + English by email within minutes — accepted by every German embassy and Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG.

    Schengen-ready in 3 steps

    Proof of insurance for Schengen visa applications, including the €30,000 minimum-coverage requirement.

    1. Pick the right plan

      Care Visa Protect for short Schengen stays · Care Economy for the Opportunity Card or longer visitor stays.

    2. Apply online

      Enter passport, travel dates and destination. For Care Visa Protect, purchase before entry when required.

    3. Submit your proof

      Receive the PDF certificate after successful online application and submit it with your visa or authority documents.

    What foreign retirees say about Care Expatriate for locking in a fixed entry-age premium 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 (long-term), Care Economy (bridge), Care Visa Protect (visit)

    Quick answer: Care Expatriate is the recognised long-term lane with fixed entry-age premiums: ages 41–60 from €68/month (Basic, €150 deductible per insured year); ages 61–74 from €246/month — up to 5 years per contract. Care Economy bridges 1 day to 2 years with per-day pricing (€1.00/day for 0–64, €2.95/day for 65–74, both with deductible). Care Visa Protect covers a Schengen visit at €0.85/day (0–64) and €2.60/day (65–74).

    Long-term lane — Care Expatriate (ages 0–74, 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.

    Bridge lane — Care Economy (1 day–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.

    Visit lane — Care Visa Protect (Schengen ≤ 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.

    FAQ — Costs in old age, deductible mechanics, and cost traps

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does health insurance realistically cost for a foreign retiree in Germany?

    Two main lanes. STATUTORY (GKV / KVdR) — only with the 9/10 rule (§ 5 SGB V) or EU Form S1 — costs around 14.6 % + the Krankenkasse-specific Zusatzbeitrag plus 3.6 % long-term care insurance, applied to pension and other relevant income (figures published by the Bundesministerium für Gesundheit). RECOGNISED INCOMING (Care Expatriate) — for retirees without GKV access — has fixed monthly premiums by entry age and tier: <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">from €68/month at entry age 41–60 and €246/month at entry age 61–74</a> (Basic, €150 deductible). Care Economy is the per-day bridge from €1.00/day (0–64) and €2.95/day (65–74).

    What are the most common cost traps foreign retirees fall into in Germany?

    Four classic traps: (1) ENTRY-AGE LOCK — every Incoming product prices at the age you enter; waiting from 60 to 65 moves you from the €68/month bracket into the €246/month bracket. (2) CONTRACT GAP — letting cover lapse between residence permits triggers a re-quote at current age. (3) WRONG PRODUCT FOR LONG-TERM CARE — Care Expatriate covers acute medical only and does NOT pay Pflegegrad benefits under SGB XI; long-term care needs the separate Pflegeversicherung route. (4) LOW-CAP TRAVEL POLICY rejected by the Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG. The simple defence: stay continuously enrolled in a recognised long-term Incoming product from the earliest entry age that fits.

    How does the €150 deductible on Care Expatriate Basic actually work?

    The Basic-tier deductible applies per insured person per insurance year and only to outpatient and inpatient treatment costs — it does NOT apply to preventive examinations covered by the contract. Comfort and Premium tiers either reduce or remove the deductible in exchange for a higher monthly premium. For most healthy retirees Basic is the lowest total annual cost; for retirees with frequent outpatient visits a higher tier can pay back within 1–2 doctor visits per year. The exact figures are in the <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate price table</a>; the cheapest entry remains €68/month at entry age 41–60 and €246/month at entry age 61–74.