Insurance proof after entry: registration at the Bürgeramt and Ausländerbehörde in Germany
Practical guide for foreigners after arrival in Germany: how the Bürgeramt registers your address, how the Ausländerbehörde checks the insurance certificate against the requested residence-permit period, and which recognised product fits your status.
Three categories — D-visa bridge (≤ 2 years), residence permit (up to 5 years), short Schengen bridge (≤ 92 days) — match the three decisions the office can stamp.
A bilingual PDF (German + English) from a recognised product is delivered by email within minutes — re-issuable at no extra cost as long as the policy has not started yet.
- D-visa bridge option: Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) (post-entry bridge · ≤ 2 years)
- Residence permit option: Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) (Aufenthaltstitel · up to 5 years)
- Short Schengen bridge: Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (up to 92 days) (only if you must extend a Schengen entry · ≤ 92 days)
Three rules for the post-entry insurance proof — what the Bürgeramt and the Ausländerbehörde check first:
- 1The certificate must cover the whole residence-permit window: not just the appointment day — the office stamps the permit for the period your insurance certificate covers.
- 2No gap days inside Germany: Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) ships a fresh bilingual PDF within minutes — start the new policy no later than the day the old visa-entry cover ends.
- 3Bilingual PDF, single page, plain-text benefits: outpatient + inpatient + medical repatriation must be visible on the certificate, not hidden behind an AVB reference number.
Not sure which product fits your post-entry status? 30-second tariff finder →
Inside: the one paper from your landlord without which the Bürgeramt simply cannot register you · why the Ausländerbehörde stamps the residence permit only for the period your insurance certificate covers — not longer · how to switch from a Schengen entry policy to a long-stay product without a single uncovered day inside Germany
Sources: § 5 AufenthG · § 17 BMG · Auswärtiges Amt · BAMF · HanseMerkur Care Economy AVB · HanseMerkur Care Expatriate AVB · DAK-Gesundheit · 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
Bürgeramt and Ausländerbehörde appointments coming up? Walk in with a bilingual PDF that covers the full residence-permit period — Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) (bridge ≤ 2 years) or Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) (residence permit up to 5 years).
7-step checklist — register at the Bürgeramt and pass the Ausländerbehörde appointment
Quick answer: "Which insurance proof do I bring after entering Germany?" — These seven steps cover the post-arrival flow that the Bürgeramt and the Ausländerbehörde expect at intake.
- Step 1. After arrival, find permanent housing and ask the landlord for the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung — without this paper the Bürgeramt cannot register you and the Ausländerbehörde will not issue the residence permit
- Step 2. Book the Bürgeramt appointment for the Anmeldung — under § 17 BMG (Bundesmeldegesetz) the legal window is 14 days after move-in; many city offices are booked weeks ahead, so reserve the slot before you fly
- Step 3. Bring a recognised insurance certificate to the Ausländerbehörde appointment — bilingual PDF (German + English) on a single page, valid for the entire requested residence-permit period, listing outpatient + inpatient + medical repatriation in plain text
- Step 4. Match the product to the decision the Ausländerbehörde will issue — Care Economy as D-visa bridge (≤ 2 years), Care Expatriate for the multi-year residence permit (up to 5 years), DAK-Gesundheit if you are an employee or an eligible student
- Step 5. Avoid gap days between the visa entry and the residence-permit decision — the new policy must start no later than the day the old visa-entry cover ends; even one uncovered day inside Germany is a refusal risk under § 5 AufenthG
- Step 6. Re-issue the certificate by email if the appointment shifts — Care Economy and Care Expatriate ship a fresh bilingual PDF within minutes, at no extra cost, as long as the policy has not started yet
- Step 7. Bring printout + email confirmation to both appointments (Bürgeramt and Ausländerbehörde) — the certificate must cover the whole period the office stamps on the permit, not just the appointment day
Three options — bridge, residence permit, short Schengen extension
Option 1 — D-visa bridge to residence-permit decision
Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years); exact daily rates depend on duration, entry age and deductible — shown in the official table below. Incoming insurance up to 2 years, bilingual PDF on a single page, outpatient + inpatient + repatriation — the standard certificate the Ausländerbehörde accepts between visa entry and the residence-permit decision.
Option 2 — multi-year residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel)
Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years); exact age and tier prices are shown in the official table below. Worldwide scope including the home country, premium fixed at entry age, up to 5 years per contract — the standard residence-insurance product the Ausländerbehörde accepts for multi-year residence permits.
Option 3 — short bridge while a Schengen entry expires
Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (up to 92 days); full age and duration rates are shown in the official table below. EU Reg. 810/2009 compliant, day-precise start date, no-show refund — useful only as a short bridge while you switch to a long-stay product before the residence-permit appointment.
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.
Three post-entry patterns — what the office checks, and which product fits
Entered on a national D-visa, applying for the residence permit
Pattern: Worker (Chancenkarte / Blue Card / employment), language student > 90 days, family reunification, study preparation — most common post-entry scenario.
Risk: A Schengen travel policy that expired at 92 days is refused at the Ausländerbehörde because the period does not cover the requested residence-permit window.
Fix option: Care Economy as the D-visa bridge (≤ 2 years), or Care Expatriate if the office wants the full multi-year residence permit covered from day one.
Entered on a Schengen visa, switching to a long-stay status
Pattern: Family visit converting to family reunification, business trip converting to work, language tourist switching to a longer course — the Schengen cover does not match the new request.
Risk: Without a recognised long-stay certificate the Ausländerbehörde refuses the residence-permit file under § 5 AufenthG; the applicant loses the slot and the appointment.
Fix option: Switch to Care Economy (≤ 2 years) or Care Expatriate (up to 5 years) before the Schengen policy ends — bilingual PDF re-issued by email within minutes.
Employee or eligible student — GKV becomes available
Pattern: Job started in Germany (employee under JVEG threshold), or matriculated student under 30 / under 14 semesters — statutory health insurance (GKV) is the standard cover.
Risk: Without an electronic M10 notification (students) or employer registration (employees), the Ausländerbehörde sees no proof of cover and refuses the file.
Fix option: DAK-Gesundheit issues the M10 notification and the eGK; Care Economy bridges the days between arrival and the GKV start date.
Wrong certificate at the Ausländerbehörde? File refused, appointment lost, residence permit delayed
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.
Bürgeramt or Ausländerbehörde appointment soon? Issue the bilingual PDF today
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 arrival to bilingual certificate — in 3 steps
10 minutes online. Status (post-entry / D-visa bridge / residence permit) pre-filled. Bilingual PDF certificate (German + English) with all required fields by email within minutes — re-issuable at no extra cost while the policy has not started yet.
Schengen-ready in 3 steps
Proof of insurance for Schengen visa applications, including the €30,000 minimum-coverage requirement.
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Pick the right plan
Care Visa Protect for short Schengen stays · Care Economy for the Opportunity Card or longer visitor stays.
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Apply online
Enter passport, travel dates and destination. For Care Visa Protect, purchase before entry when required.
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Submit your proof
Receive the PDF certificate after successful online application and submit it with your visa or authority documents.
What applicants say about Care Economy at the German Ausländerbehörde appointment
“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 products — bridge, residence permit, short Schengen extension
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
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
For the full overview of visa & residence topics see the visa & residence hub.
Full price tables — Care Economy, Care Expatriate, Care Visa Protect
Quick answer: Summary CTAs show registry base prices only. Exact age, duration and deductible rates are shown in the official tables below.
Post-entry 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.
Residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) — Care Expatriate (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.
Short Schengen extension — 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.
FAQ — insurance proof after entry, Bürgeramt and Ausländerbehörde in Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after entering Germany do I need to register at the Bürgeramt?
Under § 17 of the Bundesmeldegesetz (BMG) the legal window for the Anmeldung is 14 days after move-in. In practice many city offices are booked weeks ahead, so reserve the slot in advance and bring the Wohnungsgeberbestätigung from your landlord. For the residence-permit appointment you also need a recognised insurance certificate — see <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years)</a> as the standard bridge.
Which insurance does the Ausländerbehörde accept after I enter Germany?
The office checks the certificate against the entire requested residence-permit period under § 5 AufenthG: bilingual PDF (German + English), single page, name + period + cover amount + scope listed in plain text. <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years)</a> bridges D-visa stays up to 2 years; <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years)</a> covers multi-year residence permits up to 5 years per contract.
Can I keep the Schengen travel insurance I used to enter Germany?
In most cases no — a Schengen policy expires after 92 days and the Ausländerbehörde refuses the file because the certificate period does not match the requested residence permit. Switch to <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-economy/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years)</a> or <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years)</a> before the Schengen cover ends, with no gap day inside Germany. Not sure which product fits your status? Try the <a href="/en/tariffinder-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">30-second tariff finder</a>.
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009