Health insurance on entry to Germany — when must the cover start?
- Schengen lane: Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (0–64) · €2.60/day (65–74) (EU Reg. 810/2009 · min. €8.50 · ≤ 92 days)
- D-visa bridge: Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (0–49) · €50–125 / 30 days (50+) (§ 5 AufenthG · ≤ 2 years)
- Long-stay lane: Care Expatriate from €58/month (18–29) · up to €432/month (61–74, Premium) (§ 5 AufenthG · up to 5 years)
Three rules every visa applicant entering Germany should know about the cover start date:
- 1Start date = embassy-recorded entry date: Not the booking day, not the appointment day, not the airport-arrival day. Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (up to 92 days) is issued with the appointment-recorded entry date.
- 2Appointment slipped? Move the date BEFORE original start: While the original start date is still in the future, Care Visa Protect and Care Economy are re-issued at no extra cost. After the start date passes, you can only extend forward.
- 3Long-stay D-visa? Start the long-term lane from day 1: Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) fixes the premium at your entry age and runs up to 5 years — no second contract needed.
Schengen, D-visa or long-stay — which lane fits your entry date? 30-second tariff finder →
Inside: the one-day mistake that turns a perfect Schengen application into a 4-week re-booking · why the airport-arrival day is the wrong start date — and what the visa sticker actually says · how to time Care Expatriate so the entry-age premium is locked at the lowest possible bracket
Sources: EU Regulation 810/2009 · § 5 AufenthG · BAMF · Auswärtiges Amt · HanseMerkur Care Visa Protect AVB · HanseMerkur Care Economy AVB · HanseMerkur Care Expatriate AVB · Care Concept AG
Trusted Providers
Care Concept · HanseMerkur · DAK where applicable
Visa Proof
Proof of insurance for embassy or consulate documents
Fast Online Process
Receive the available confirmation after successful application
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
Cover starts on the embassy-recorded entry date — Schengen from €0.85/day, D-visa from €30 / 30 days, long-stay from €58/month.
Cover start date for entry to Germany — the six rules the consulate checks
Quick answer: "When must my health insurance start for entry to Germany?" — On the embassy-recorded entry date written into the visa sticker. For Schengen C-visas this is the first day of the planned trip; for national D-visas it is the planned entry day to Germany. Care Visa Protect, Care Economy and Care Expatriate are issued with the appointment-recorded entry date and re-issuable while the start date is still in the future.
- Cover start date = embassy-recorded entry date (visa sticker), not booking day or arrival day
- Cover end date covers the entire requested stay — Schengen: full trip; D-visa: full residence-permit period
- Geographic scope: all Schengen states for C-visa; Germany for national D-visa under § 5 AufenthG
- Minimum medical cover ≥ €30,000 plus repatriation clause for Schengen (EU Reg. 810/2009)
- €0 self-pay shown on the certificate — AVB deductible is accepted, on-certificate excess is not
- Insurer must hold EU/EEA admission — HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG (Hamburg) qualifies
Three lanes — Schengen entry, D-visa bridge, and long-stay residence permit
Lane 1 — Schengen visa (C-visa, ≤ 92 days): Care Visa Protect
Start date on the certificate = first day of the planned trip as recorded by the embassy. €0.85/day for ages 0–64 and €2.60/day for 65–74 — minimum €8.50 premium, EU Reg. 810/2009 compliant. €30,000 medical cover, repatriation, valid in all Schengen states. PDF in German + English by email within minutes — re-issuable at no extra cost while the start date is still in the future.
Lane 2 — National D-visa bridge (>92 days, ≤ 2 years): Care Economy
Start date = embassy-recorded entry date for the D-visa. From €30 / 30 days for ages 0–49 and €50–125 / 30 days for 50+. Up to 2 years per contract. Insurer is HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG (Hamburg). PDF in German + English by email — accepted at every German consulate and at the Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG.
Lane 3 — Long-stay D-visa (residence permit, ≤ 5 years): Care Expatriate
Start date = embassy-recorded entry date; cover then runs uninterrupted to the residence-permit handover and beyond. From €58/month at entry age 18–29 and up to €432/month at entry age 61–74 (Premium tier). Up to 5 years per contract; premium fixed at the entry age. PDF in German + English — accepted at every Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG.
Avoid the mistakes that can delay your application
Schengen proof missing?
For short Schengen stays, choose insurance that meets the €30,000 minimum-coverage requirement.
Short stay or longer stay?
Care Visa Protect fits many 1–92 day Schengen visits; Care Economy may fit longer or more flexible stays.
Wrong insurance can cost time
Before your embassy appointment, check that the proof matches your visa type, dates and destination.
Multiple entries planned?
If you travel more than once, check the multiple-entry option and the annual day limit before applying.
What happens if the start date is one day off — appointment refused, 4–12 week re-booking
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.
🇪🇺
€30,000 minimum
Schengen proof must be clear
Your certificate should clearly show the required coverage amount, Schengen validity, travel dates and repatriation benefits.
- 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 slot tomorrow? Issue the certificate today with the appointment-recorded entry date
Why act before the embassy appointment
Schengen visa insurance is not just a formality. Your proof should clearly show the required coverage, dates, validity area and repatriation benefits.
Appointments can be limited
If the proof is missing or unsuitable, preparing corrected documents can cost valuable time.
PDF certificate after application
Care Visa Protect provides the certificate by email after successful online application.
€30,000 minimum coverage
Schengen insurance should show at least €30,000 coverage plus medical repatriation for the Schengen Area.
From €0.85/day
Care Visa Protect starts from €0.85/day, with a minimum premium of €8.50 per trip.
From quote to embassy-ready PDF — in 3 steps
10 minutes online. Embassy-recorded entry date pre-filled. PDF certificate in German + English by email within minutes — re-issuable at no extra cost while the original start date is still in the future.
Schengen-ready in 3 steps
Proof of insurance for Schengen visa applications, including the €30,000 minimum-coverage requirement.
-
Pick the right plan
Care Visa Protect for short Schengen stays · Care Economy for the Opportunity Card or longer visitor stays.
-
Apply online
Enter passport, travel dates and destination. For Care Visa Protect, purchase before entry when required.
-
Submit your proof
Receive the PDF certificate after successful online application and submit it with your visa or authority documents.
What visa applicants say about Care Visa Protect for the German embassy entry-date certificate
“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
Cameroon
“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
Russia
“Found the best solution and best service for health insurance for foreign visitors and guests in Germany.
Fast, simple and affordable.
Highly recommended!”
Michael
Germany
“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
Australia
Now choose your plan
Recognised lanes — Schengen entry (primary), D-visa bridge, long-stay residence permit
Care Visa Protect
from only €0.85 / day (1–92 days possible)
For Schengen visas, tourists, family visits & business travel
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities quickly available (PDF)
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- Affordable coverage from €0.85/day (minimum premium applies)
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental emergency coverage
- For Germany, Austria, the EU/Schengen Area, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
- Ideal for short stays, family visits, tourists & business travelers
- Multiple-visa option: several trips up to a total of 92 days/year
- Must be purchased before entry
- Age-based rates: from €0.85/day up to age 64 · from €2.60/day for ages 65–74
- Coverage term: 1–92 days · entry age 0–74
Why Care Visa Protect?
For foreign visitors with a Schengen visa who need fast, affordable proof of insurance for an embassy, visa office or immigration authority — suitable for tourists, family visits and short business trips.
Why a 92-day coverage term?
Ideal for typical short stays and Schengen trips: enough coverage for a visit, vacation or business trip — without buying long-term insurance.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Travel Insurance AG, Hamburg
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental emergency & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €0.85 / day · coverage up to 92 days
→ Complete the application, receive your instant PDF, submit your proof
Care Economy
from only €30.00 / 30 days (coverage up to 2 years)
For guests, tourists, family visits, job seekers & the German Opportunity Card
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities within minutes
- Affordable coverage from €1.00 per day
- Doctor, hospital & dental emergency coverage
- Suitable for Schengen visas, the Opportunity Card & family visits
- Flexible coverage from 1 day up to 2 years
- Coverage in Germany, the EU & the Schengen Area
- 24/7 assistance + digital insurance card
- Age-based rates: from €1.00/day up to age 64 · from €2.95/day for ages 65–74
- Coverage term: 1 day to 2 years · entry age 0–74
- Reputable insurance carrier
Why Care Economy?
For anyone who needs fast, affordable proof of health insurance — ideal for guests, visitors, tourists, family visits or job seekers, with doctor/clinic coverage subject to the policy terms and benefits.
Why a 2-year coverage term?
More flexibility when plans are uncertain: if your visa, trip or stay is extended, you avoid last-minute renewal stress and reduce the risk of a coverage gap.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Insurance Group Hamburg – Advigon Insurance AG
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental emergency & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €30 / 30 days · up to 2 years possible
→ Complete the application, receive your instant PDF, submit your proof
Care Expatriate
from only €58.00 / month (coverage up to 5 years)
For foreign nationals with longer stays: expats, self-employed professionals, freelancers, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, retirees & seniors up to age 74
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities quickly available (PDF)
- Coverage up to 5 years – less renewal stress
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental treatment coverage
- For longer stays in Germany, Austria, the EU/Schengen Area, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
- Suitable for expats, self-employed professionals, freelancers, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, retirees & seniors
- More planning security for residence permits, projects or jobs
- 24/7 assistance + digital insurance card
- Age-based rates: from €58/month ages 13–40 · from €68 ages 41–60 · from €246 ages 61–74
- Coverage term: 3 months to 5 years · entry age 0–74
- Reputable insurance carrier
Why Care Expatriate?
For foreign nationals with longer stays who need solid health insurance and proof of coverage for authorities — suitable for expats, freelancers, self-employed professionals, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, retirees & seniors up to age 74.
Why a 5-year coverage term?
More planning security: less renewal stress and a lower risk of a coverage gap if your stay lasts longer.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Insurance Group Hamburg – Advigon Insurance AG
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental treatment & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €58 / month · coverage up to 5 years
→ Complete the application, receive your instant PDF, submit your proof
For the full overview of visa & residence topics see the visa & residence hub.
Full price tables — Care Visa Protect (Schengen), Care Economy (bridge), Care Expatriate (long-stay)
Quick answer: Care Visa Protect covers the Schengen entry at €0.85/day (0–64) and €2.60/day (65–74) — minimum €8.50 premium. Care Economy bridges D-visa periods from €30 / 30 days (0–49) and €50–125 / 30 days (50+). Care Expatriate is the long-stay lane from €58/month at entry age 18–29 and up to €432/month at entry age 61–74 (Premium).
Schengen lane — Care Visa Protect (≤ 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.
D-visa 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.
Long-stay lane — Care Expatriate (residence permit, 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.
FAQ — Cover start date, embassy timing and which lane fits your entry day
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly must my German visa insurance start — booking day, appointment day, or entry day?
The certificate must start on the embassy-recorded entry date (the date written into the visa sticker as the start of permitted stay), not on the booking day or the appointment day. For Schengen C-visas under EU Regulation 810/2009 this is the first day of the planned trip; for national D-visas under § 5 AufenthG it is the planned entry day to Germany. <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-visa-protect/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day</a> is issued with the appointment-recorded entry date and the PDF arrives by email within minutes.
My embassy appointment was rescheduled — is my insurance still valid for the new date?
Yes, but only if you change the date BEFORE the original travel start. Care Visa Protect and Care Economy can be re-issued at no extra cost as long as the original start date has not yet passed. If the appointment slips by a few days, contact Care Concept the same day with the new date — the new PDF arrives within minutes. Once the original start date is in the past, you can extend the cover forward but you cannot push the start date backward. If unsure which lane fits the new appointment date, run the <a href="/en/tariffinder-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">30-second tariff finder</a>.
Can I let the cover start a few days after entry to save money?
No. Under § 5 AufenthG and EU Reg. 810/2009 the cover must be valid for the entire requested stay starting at entry. A start date even one day after the embassy-recorded entry day is the most common rejection reason at the German consulate, and even if the visa is issued with a gap, the German Ausländerbehörde can refuse the residence permit later. <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy from €30 / 30 days</a> is the day-precise bridge if you only need a few weeks of cover until GKV or a long-term Incoming product starts.
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009