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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    Care Expatriate — recognised long-term spouse lane (up to 5 years)from €68/month (41–60) · from €246/month (61–74)
    Familienversicherung is NOT automatic — and only free when the sponsor is in GKV (not PKV). The Ausländerbehörde wants the GKV's Mitgliedschaftsbescheinigung naming the spouse, or an own Incoming contract from day 1.

    Retiree spouses in Germany — family insurance or own contract?

    Entry age 41–60: from €68/monthEntry age 61–74: from €246/month
    4.9/5 · Over 10,000 policies since 2009
    Foreign retiree spouse in Germany — choosing between GKV family insurance (Familienversicherung) and an own Care Expatriate Incoming contract
    Own contract
    Expatriate ≤ 5 yrs
    Bridge
    Economy ≤ 2 yrs
    Family
    FREE if GKV

    Three rules that decide between FREE family cover and an own contract for foreign retiree spouses in Germany:

    1. 1Default for most foreign retiree spouses → own contract: When the sponsor is in PKV, self-employed without GKV, on Form S1 only for themself, or the spouse income is above the § 10 SGB V limit, the recognised long-term lane is Care Expatriate from €68/month (41–60) · from €246/month (61–74), accepted by every Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG, up to 5 years per contract.
    2. 2FREE Familienversicherung — only when the sponsor is in GKV: GKV members (DAK-Gesundheit, AOK, Techniker, Barmer, etc.) can add the foreign spouse for free under § 10 SGB V — provided the spouse has no own statutory cover and stays below the income limit (€556/month, BMG Mindesteinkommen 2026). Apply at the sponsor's GKV with the marriage certificate and Anmeldung.
    3. 3Bridge the 2–6 week wait with Care Economy: GKVs need 2–6 weeks to issue the Mitgliedschaftsbescheinigung. The Ausländerbehörde may not wait. Bridge with Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) — recognised under § 5 AufenthG for stays up to 2 years.

    GKV family insurance or own Incoming contract — which one fits your case? 30-second spouse-cover finder →

    Inside: the § 10 SGB V income trap that disqualifies many spouses · the Mitgliedschaftsbescheinigung the Ausländerbehörde requires by name · why PKV spouses always need their own Incoming contract

    Sources: § 10 SGB V (Familienversicherung) · § 5 AufenthG · § 36 AufenthG · HanseMerkur Care Expatriate AVB · HanseMerkur Care Economy AVB · EU Regulation 883/2004 (S1) · BMG Mindesteinkommen 2026 · DAK-Gesundheit AVB

    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 is the recognised spouse lane when GKV Familienversicherung is not available — 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

    Family insurance vs. own contract — the six concrete rules for retiree spouses

    Quick answer: "Can a foreign retiree spouse be insured for free in Germany?" — only when the sponsor is in GKV (DAK-Gesundheit, AOK, Techniker etc.) and the spouse meets § 10 SGB V (no own cover, income ≤ €556/month minor job 2026). All other spouses need an own contract — the recognised long-term lane is Care Expatriate from €68/month (ages 41–60) or €246/month (ages 61–74).

    • Sponsor in GKV (DAK-Gesundheit, AOK, TK, Barmer, etc.) → Familienversicherung is FREE under § 10 SGB V
    • Spouse income limit 2026: ≤ €556/month (§ 10 SGB V · aligned with Minijob ceiling)
    • Sponsor in PKV / self-employed without GKV → spouse needs OWN contract (Care Expatriate)
    • EU pensioner sponsor with Form S1 → S1 covers only the sponsor; spouse needs own GKV S1 or own contract
    • Familienversicherung is NOT automatic — apply separately at the sponsor's GKV with marriage certificate
    • Bridge during 2–6 week processing time → Care Economy (recognised under § 5 AufenthG, up to 2 years)

    The three paths — own contract, bridge, or FREE GKV family insurance

    Path 1 / 3

    Path 1 — Own contract: Care Expatriate (primary lane)

    Required whenever the sponsor is in PKV, self-employed without GKV, on Form S1 only for themself, or the spouse exceeds the § 10 SGB V income limit. Care Expatriate is the recognised long-term Incoming product: from €68/month at entry age 41–60 and €246/month at entry age 61–74 (Basic, €150 deductible). Up to 5 years per contract; PDF certificate in German + English by email within minutes; § 5 AufenthG re-checks at every renewal. This is the lane every spouse without GKV access ends up in.

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

    Path 2 — Bridge while waiting for Familienversicherung confirmation

    GKVs typically need 2–6 weeks to issue the Familienversicherung Mitgliedschaftsbescheinigung naming the spouse. The Ausländerbehörde may not wait. Bridge with Care Economy: per-day pricing by age — from €1.00/day for ages 0–64 (with deductible) and from €2.95/day for ages 65–74 (with deductible), minimum €10 premium. Same product also bridges the EU S1 waiting time (4–12 weeks for EU pensioners).

    Need: Care Economy · ≤ 2 years · S1 / GKV bridge
    Care Economy from €1.00/day (0–64) · €2.95/day (65–74) →
    Path 3 / 3

    Path 3 — FREE GKV Familienversicherung (only if eligible)

    When the sponsor is a GKV member (DAK-Gesundheit, AOK, Techniker, Barmer, etc.) AND the foreign spouse has no own statutory cover, no income above the § 10 SGB V limit (€556/month, BMG Mindesteinkommen 2026), the family insurance is FREE. Apply at the sponsor's GKV with the marriage certificate and the spouse's Anmeldung. Cover starts on the registered date — no premium for the spouse.

    Need: GKV membership · § 10 SGB V · marriage certificate
    DAK-Gesundheit family insurance → →

    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.

    What happens when the spouse arrives without recognised cover — refused permit and €830/day hospital risk

    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.

    Embassy interview booked? Pick the spouse lane first — own contract or pending GKV family insurance

    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 contract to embassy-ready certificate — 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 retiree couples say about Care Expatriate when the spouse cannot join GKV family insurance

    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 (own contract), Care Economy (bridge), Care Visa Protect (visit)

    Quick answer: Care Expatriate is the recognised spouse own-contract lane: ages 41–60 from €68/month (Basic, €150 deductible); ages 61–74 from €246/month — up to 5 years per contract. Care Economy bridges 1 day to 2 years with per-day pricing by age (€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).

    Own contract — 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 — 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 — 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 — Family insurance vs. own contract for retiree spouses

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can my retired foreign spouse be insured for free under my German health insurance?

    Only when you are a GKV member (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung — DAK-Gesundheit, AOK, Techniker, Barmer, etc.) AND your spouse has no own statutory cover, no income above the § 10 SGB V limit (€556/month, BMG Mindesteinkommen 2026) and is legally resident in Germany. In that case the Familienversicherung (family insurance) is FREE — you apply at your GKV with the marriage certificate and the spouse's residence registration. If you are in private insurance (PKV) or self-employed without GKV access, the spouse needs an own contract — the recognised long-term lane is <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €68/month (ages 41–60) · €246/month (ages 61–74)</a>, accepted by every Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG.

    What insurance does the Ausländerbehörde require for the spouse-reunion residence permit?

    Recognised cover from day 1 of the residence permit. Three accepted lanes: (1) GKV Familienversicherung — submit the GKV's Mitgliedschaftsbescheinigung naming the spouse; (2) own Care Expatriate contract (Incoming) for ages up to 74, up to 5 years per contract — PDF certificate in German + English by email within minutes; (3) German substitutive PKV with health questions. A standard travel-insurance certificate (Reiseversicherung) is rejected for any residence permit longer than 90 days under § 5 AufenthG.

    What does the spouse do while the Familienversicherung application is being processed?

    Bridge with <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy</a>: per-day pricing by age — from €1.00/day for ages 0–64 (with deductible) and from €2.95/day for ages 65–74 (with deductible), minimum €10 premium. Recognised by every Ausländerbehörde for stays up to 2 years and switchable the moment the GKV confirmation arrives. Same applies to EU pensioners waiting for the Form S1 procedure (typically 4–12 weeks).