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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    Care Expatriate — recognised relocation lane for foreign spouses (up to 5 years)from €68/month (41–60) · from €246/month (61–74)
    There is no real JOINT couples product in Germany — Incoming tariffs are priced per person. Plan SEPARATE coverage from day 1; switch to FREE Familienversicherung only later, only if the sponsor is in GKV.

    Foreign retiree spouses relocating to Germany — joint or separate health insurance?

    Entry age 41–60: from €68/monthEntry age 61–74: from €246/month
    4.9/5 · Over 10,000 policies since 2009
    Foreign retiree couple relocating to Germany — choosing between joint GKV family insurance and separate Care Expatriate contracts
    Separate
    Expatriate ≤ 5 yrs
    Bridge
    Economy ≤ 2 yrs
    Joint
    FREE if GKV

    Three rules that decide JOINT vs SEPARATE for foreign retiree couples relocating to Germany:

    1. 1SEPARATE contracts are the realistic default: Incoming tariffs are priced per person — there is no meaningful couples discount. The sponsor is usually already insured before the spouse arrives. Spouse takes own Care Expatriate from €68/month (41–60) · from €246/month (61–74), accepted by every Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG, up to 5 years.
    2. 2JOINT via FREE Familienversicherung — only with GKV sponsor: Only realistic when the sponsor is a GKV member (DAK-Gesundheit, AOK, Techniker, Barmer) and the spouse meets § 10 SGB V (no own statutory cover, income ≤ €556/month minor-job 2026). Apply at the sponsor's GKV after the spouse's Anmeldung.
    3. 3Bridge the 2–6 week GKV wait with Care Economy: The Ausländerbehörde may not wait. Bridge with Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) — recognised under § 5 AufenthG up to 2 years.

    Joint or separate — which lane fits your relocation case? 30-second tariff finder →

    Inside: why no real couples-discount product exists in Incoming tariffs · the § 10 SGB V income trap that disqualifies many spouses · the Mitgliedschaftsbescheinigung the Ausländerbehörde requires by name

    Sources: § 10 SGB V (Familienversicherung) · § 5 AufenthG · § 36 AufenthG · HanseMerkur Care Expatriate AVB · HanseMerkur Care Economy AVB · EU Regulation 883/2004 (S1) · EU Regulation 810/2009 (Schengen) · 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 relocation lane for foreign retiree spouses — accepted by every German embassy and 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

    Joint vs separate for relocating retiree spouses — the six concrete rules

    Quick answer: "Should a foreign retiree couple take ONE joint policy or TWO separate contracts when relocating to Germany?" — In practice TWO separate contracts. Incoming products are priced per person, per age band; the sponsor is usually already covered. The spouse's recognised long-term lane is Care Expatriate from €68/month (ages 41–60) or €246/month (ages 61–74). Switch to FREE GKV Familienversicherung later — only if the sponsor is in GKV and the spouse meets § 10 SGB V.

    • Visa interview & § 36 AufenthG residence permit: recognised cover from DAY 1 of the permit (travel insurance rejected)
    • Sponsor in GKV (DAK-Gesundheit, AOK, TK, Barmer) → FREE Familienversicherung is possible AFTER Anmeldung — but only with § 10 SGB V eligibility (≤ €556/mo minor-job 2026)
    • Sponsor in PKV / self-employed without GKV / EU S1 only on sponsor → spouse needs OWN contract (Care Expatriate is the long-term lane)
    • JOINT couples policy is NOT a real product in Germany — Incoming tariffs are priced per person, per age band
    • GKV Mitgliedschaftsbescheinigung typically takes 2–6 weeks → bridge with Care Economy (recognised under § 5 AufenthG)
    • Re-entry & renewal: § 5 AufenthG is re-checked at every Aufenthaltstitel renewal — keep the PDF certificate filed

    The three relocation lanes — separate own contract, bridge, or FREE GKV joint cover

    Path 1 / 3

    Path 1 — SEPARATE: own Care Expatriate (the realistic default)

    When the sponsor already lives in Germany under GKV, PKV, EU S1 or substitutive private cover, the relocating spouse simply needs an own contract. Care Expatriate is the recognised long-term Incoming lane: 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-check at every renewal. This is the lane every spouse without immediate GKV eligibility ends up in.

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

    Path 2 — Bridge: Care Economy during GKV / S1 wait

    Even when FREE Familienversicherung is available later, the GKV needs 2–6 weeks to issue the Mitgliedschaftsbescheinigung naming the spouse — and EU pensioners on Form S1 wait 4–12 weeks. The Ausländerbehörde may not. 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. Switch out the day the GKV / S1 confirmation arrives.

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

    Path 3 — JOINT through GKV Familienversicherung (only if eligible)

    Only realistic when the sponsor is a GKV member (DAK-Gesundheit, AOK, Techniker, Barmer) AND the foreign spouse has no own statutory cover and stays below the § 10 SGB V income limit (€556/month, BMG Mindesteinkommen 2026 — pension income from abroad counts). After the spouse's Anmeldung, the sponsor applies at the GKV with the marriage certificate; cover is FREE for the spouse from the registered date.

    Need: GKV membership · § 10 SGB V · marriage certificate · Anmeldung
    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? Lock the spouse lane before the visa appointment

    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 relocating foreign retiree couples say about Care Expatriate when GKV Familienversicherung is not yet available

    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 (separate spouse), Care Economy (bridge), Care Visa Protect (pre-arrival visit)

    Quick answer: Care Expatriate is the recognised relocation lane for foreign spouses: 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 pre-arrival Schengen visit at €0.85/day (0–64) and €2.60/day (65–74).

    Separate spouse 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.

    Pre-arrival 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 — Joint or separate for relocating retiree spouses

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Should a foreign retiree couple relocating to Germany take ONE joint policy or TWO separate contracts?

    In practice — TWO separate contracts. Incoming products in Germany (Care Expatriate, Care Economy, Care Visa Protect) are priced per person, per age band; there is no meaningful couples discount and the sponsor is usually already covered (GKV, PKV, EU Form S1) before the spouse arrives. The realistic setup: sponsor keeps existing cover, foreign spouse takes own <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>. If the sponsor is in GKV and the spouse meets § 10 SGB V (no own statutory cover, income ≤ €556/month minor-job 2026), apply for FREE Familienversicherung after Anmeldung — the spouse switches once the GKV confirmation arrives.

    What insurance does the visa interview and the § 36 AufenthG family-reunion permit require for the relocating spouse?

    Recognised cover from day 1 of the residence permit. Three accepted lanes: (1) own Care Expatriate (Incoming, ages 0–74, up to 5 years) — PDF certificate in German + English by email within minutes, accepted by every German embassy and Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG; (2) GKV Mitgliedschaftsbescheinigung naming the spouse — only available AFTER Anmeldung and only if the sponsor is in GKV; (3) German substitutive PKV with health questions. A standard travel-insurance certificate (Reiseversicherung) is rejected for any residence permit longer than 90 days.

    How do we bridge the gap between arrival and the GKV Familienversicherung confirmation?

    Standard 2–6 week bridge: <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy</a> from €1.00/day (ages 0–64) and €2.95/day (ages 65–74), both with deductible, minimum €10 premium. Recognised by every Ausländerbehörde for stays up to 2 years and switchable the day the GKV Mitgliedschaftsbescheinigung arrives. Same product also bridges the EU Form S1 transfer (4–12 weeks for EU pensioners). For pre-arrival visit windows of up to 92 days use Care Visa Protect at €0.85/day (0–64) and €2.60/day (65–74), Schengen-compliant under EU Reg. 810/2009.