+49 228 97735-44· German & English spoken
    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
    All tariffsFind a tariff
    Find a tariff
    DAK-Gesundheit17.8% of gross (open-ended)

    Public Health Insurance for Foreign Employees in Germany – Registration and Contributions

    Sources: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V (employee GKV mandate) · § 10 SGB V (free Familienversicherung) · JVEG 2025: €77,400/year (private opt-out threshold) · § 28a SGB IV (employer registration) · DAK-Gesundheit Beitragssatz 2025 · Care Expatriate AVB · HanseMerkur Versicherungsgruppe Hamburg

    Foreign employees on a regular German employment contract earning under €77,400 per year (the 2025 JVEG threshold) are mandatorily insured in the statutory system (GKV) under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V. This applies to skilled workers, IT specialists, engineers, nurses, hospitality and retail staff. The recognised carrier is DAK-Gesundheit at 17.8% of gross salary — split equally between you and your employer (8.9% each) plus the carrier-specific Zusatzbeitrag (~1.7% in 2025).

    The standard solution is DAK-Gesundheit Angestellte at 17.8% of gross with free Familienversicherung for spouse and children whose own income stays below €535/month (§ 10 SGB V). Earners above €77,400/year may opt out into Care Expatriate from €58/month — the opt-out is irreversible during the same employment.

    Below: how the JVEG €77,400 opt-out threshold works, the four documents your employer files with DAK on day one, the full DAK contribution table, the Blue Card specialist route via Care Expatriate, and the bridge via Care Economy if you arrive in Germany before your first contract starts.

    Statutory Health Insurance

    DAK-Gesundheit for employees in Germany

    Employer Proof

    Membership confirmation for employer and required documents

    Health Card

    Your health insurance card follows after membership setup

    4.9/5

    Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009

    First German payroll starting? Lock in the recognised statutory carrier.

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

    Four mistakes that delay your German GKV enrollment

    Quick answer: "Why is my eGK chip card not arriving?" — most foreign employees stumble on one of four points: never told the employer which GKV carrier to use (defaults to a random local AOK), opted out into private cover at <€77,400 (not allowed under § 6 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V), arrived without an interim policy and tried to enrol in GKV before the contract start date, or skipped the address registration (Anmeldung) which DAK needs for the eGK delivery. Choosing DAK-Gesundheit on day one removes all four by default.

    Avoid the mistakes that can delay your application

    Employer needs proof

    DAK-Gesundheit can provide membership confirmation for a social-security-covered job in Germany.

    Contribution split matters

    In statutory employee coverage, the employer generally pays half of the health insurance contribution.

    Family coverage has conditions

    Spouse and children may be covered under statutory family insurance only if the requirements are met.

    Health card comes later

    Membership confirmation comes first; the health insurance card follows after membership setup.

    What happens if your GKV registration is missed

    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.

    💼

    Wrong insurance route

    Visitor cover is not employee cover

    Employees with a social-security-covered job usually need statutory health insurance and employer proof — not visitor insurance.

    • 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.

    First day of work is fixed — pick your GKV carrier first

    Why act before your job starts

    Employers often need membership confirmation before payroll and onboarding. Visitor insurance is usually not the right route for a German employee job.

    💼

    Employer proof needed

    DAK-Gesundheit can provide membership confirmation for social-security-covered jobs in Germany.

    📄

    Wrong route wastes time

    Employees usually need statutory health insurance and employer details, not visitor coverage.

    ⚡

    Health card follows later

    Membership confirmation comes first; the health insurance card follows after setup.

    👨‍👩‍👧

    Family coverage has rules

    Spouse and children may be covered only if statutory requirements are met.

    From signed contract to active eGK card — in 3 steps

    10 minutes online with DAK-Gesundheit. Your employer files the registration via § 28a SGB IV; the eGK chip card arrives within 2 weeks. Cover starts on the first day of your employment contract.

    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 employees say about DAK-Gesundheit on the first day of their German contract

    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

    DAK-Gesundheit — full contribution table by gross salary

    Quick answer: DAK-Gesundheit Angestellte: 17.8% of gross salary (split 8.9% / 8.9% with the employer) plus the DAK-specific Zusatzbeitrag (~1.7% in 2025). The full contribution table below shows the exact monthly amount for every gross-salary bracket up to the JVEG threshold of €77,400.

    DAK-Gesundheit for employees (statutory)
    General contribution rate
    14.6 % of gross
    + 3.2 % DAK supplement = 17.8 %
    Employer / employee share
    8.9 % each
    Paid 50/50
    Compulsory long-term care
    approx. 3.6 % standard
    4.2 % childless from age 23 · reductions depending on number of children
    Total (incl. care, childless)
    ≈ 22.0 % of gross
    Depending on long-term care variant
    Family co-insurance
    possible
    Spouse & children covered under statutory conditions
    Sickness pay (Krankengeld)
    from day 43
    70 % of gross, max 78 weeks
    Compulsory insurance limit (JAEG)
    €77,400 / year
    = €6,450 / month (as of 2026)
    Income-based
    No flat rate — contribution scales with gross salary
    Family covered free
    Spouse without income + children co-insured
    Mandatory under JAEG
    Gross < €77,400 / year → statutory insurance required

    2026 contribution rates: 14.6 % general + 3.2 % DAK supplement = 17.8 %; split 50/50 between employer and employee (8.9 % each). Compulsory long-term care approx. 3.6 % standard, 4.2 % childless from age 23, reductions depending on number of children. Family co-insurance possible under statutory conditions. As of 2026.

    Care Expatriate — opt-out for Blue Card specialists above €77,400/year

    Quick answer: Earning above the JVEG threshold of €77,400/year? You may opt out into private long-term Incoming cover. Care Expatriate from €58/month (ages 18–29) is the recognised choice — the opt-out is irreversible during the same employment, so confirm with HR first.

    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.

    Frequently asked questions about statutory cover for foreign employees in Germany

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Do foreign employees need statutory health insurance in Germany?

    Yes — mandatory for all employment contracts above €556/month (mini-job threshold 2026) under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V. Contribution: ~17.8% of gross, split ~8.9% employer / ~8.9% employee. Family insurance (§ 10 SGB V) free for spouse and children.

    Which GKV fund is best for foreign employees in Germany?

    DAK-Gesundheit — €135.52/month equivalent single rate, English customer service, Fit&Travel add-on free under 39, Garantietarif saves €120/year with same benefits as standard tariff. Recognised by all employers and the Ausländerbehörde.

    Can foreign employees choose private insurance instead of GKV in Germany?

    Only above the JAEG threshold (€77,400/year gross in 2026). Below it, GKV is mandatory (§ 6 SGB V). Above it, Care Expatriate from €58/month is a private alternative — but re-entry into GKV is difficult, weigh carefully.

    How much does statutory health insurance cost for a foreign employee earning €50,000?

    €50,000 × 17.8% / 12 = €741.67/month total, split €370.83 employer / €370.83 employee. Below the JAEG cap of €77,400 in 2026, so PKV is not an option — GKV is mandatory.

    Does GKV cover family members of foreign employees in Germany?

    Yes — Familienversicherung (§ 10 SGB V) is free for spouse (income <€556/month) and children up to age 18 (25 if studying, 23 if not working). Adds no cost to the employee's ~8.9% contribution. Parents are not eligible for Familienversicherung.

    What health insurance do foreign employees need in Germany?

    Employed workers in Germany with a regular employment contract are typically required to join the public health insurance system (GKV). Your employer registers you and pays half the premium. You can choose any statutory health fund — DAK-Gesundheit offers the Garantietarif 120, saving €120/year. The insurance certificate is issued directly by your chosen health fund.

    Do I need insurance before my job starts in Germany?

    Yes. GKV coverage only starts on your first working day. If you arrive in Germany before that, you need transition insurance for medical coverage. Care Economy (from €30/30 days) covers this gap with an instant PDF proof of insurance for immigration authorities.

    How much does statutory health insurance cost for employees in Germany?

    The total GKV rate is approximately 17.8% of gross salary (including supplementary contribution). You pay roughly 8.9% — your employer covers the other half. For a gross salary of €3,000/month, your share is approximately €267/month including long-term care insurance. This mandatory insurance covers outpatient, inpatient, and prescription drug costs.

    4.9/5

    Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009

    Employment contract signed? Pick the recognised statutory carrier today.

    🏛️ Authority-approved📄 Instant proof🔒 DAK / HanseMerkur🏷️ Transparent pricing