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
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
First German payroll starting? Lock in the recognised statutory carrier.
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.
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€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.
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€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.
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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.
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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 foreign employees say about DAK-Gesundheit on the first day of their German contract
“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
Recommended tariffs for foreign employees in Germany
DAK-Gesundheit Employees
currently 17.8% of gross income
(employer pays half · plus long-term care insurance)
For foreign employees with a social-security-covered job in Germany
- Statutory health insurance for employees in Germany
- Employer pays half of the health insurance contribution
- Family coverage for spouse & children may be possible under statutory rules
- Doctor, dentist, hospital, pharmacy & prescription medication coverage
- Health insurance card for medical treatment in Germany
- EU/EEA coverage via the European Health Insurance Card
- Save €120 per year with DAK Garantietarif 120 possible
- Optional: DAK Fit & Travel with additional benefits up to age 39
- Mandatory long-term care insurance also applies
- Reputable statutory health insurance provider
Why DAK-Gesundheit?
For foreign employees in Germany who need statutory health insurance with a health insurance card, employer contribution and possible family coverage.
Why statutory health insurance as an employee?
More security in everyday working life in Germany: the employer pays half, family members may be covered free of charge under certain conditions, and medical treatment is handled easily through the health insurance card.
- 🏛️ DAK-Gesundheit
- 📄 Membership certificate for employers & authorities
- 🔒 Doctor, dentist, clinic, pharmacy & prescription medication
- 🏷️ Currently 17.8% of gross income · employer pays half
→ Complete the application, start your membership, receive your health insurance card
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
Between contracts and need cover during the job search? Job-search insurance guide. On a short harvest or hospitality contract under 70 days? Seasonal-worker cover via Care 01 from €0.39/day. For broader guidance see the foreign-employees hub.
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 für Arbeitnehmer (gesetzlich) | |
|---|---|
| Allgemeiner Beitragssatz |
14,6 % Brutto
+ 3,2 % DAK-Zusatzbeitrag = 17,8 %
|
| Anteil Arbeitgeber / Arbeitnehmer |
je 8,9 %
Paritätisch 50/50 geteilt
|
| Pflegepflichtversicherung |
ca. 3,6 % standard
4,2 % kinderlos ab 23 J. · Reduzierungen je nach Kinderzahl
|
| Gesamt (inkl. Pflege, kinderlos) |
≈ 22,0 % Brutto
Je nach Pflege-Variante
|
| Familienversicherung |
möglich
Ehepartner & Kinder unter gesetzl. Voraussetzungen mitversichert
|
| Krankengeld |
ab Tag 43
70 % Bruttogehalt, max. 78 Wochen
|
| Versicherungspflichtgrenze (JAEG) |
77.400 € / Jahr
= 6.450 € / Monat (Stand 2026)
|
Beitragssätze 2026: 14,6 % allgemein + 3,2 % DAK-Zusatzbeitrag = 17,8 %; paritätisch zwischen Arbeitgeber und Arbeitnehmer geteilt (je 8,9 %). Pflegepflichtversicherung ca. 3,6 % standard, 4,2 % kinderlos ab 23 J., Reduzierungen je nach Kinderzahl. Familienversicherung möglich unter gesetzlichen Voraussetzungen. Stand 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
Is GKV mandatory for foreign employees in Germany?
Yes, under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V — every employee on a regular German contract earning under the JVEG threshold (€77,400/year in 2025) must be enrolled in statutory cover (GKV). DAK-Gesundheit is the recommended carrier; the contribution is 17.8% of gross, split equally with the employer (8.9% each), plus a small Zusatzbeitrag (~1.7%).
When can a foreign employee opt out of GKV into private cover?
Only when the gross annual salary exceeds the Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze (JVEG) — €77,400 for 2025. Blue Card specialists and senior managers above this line may switch to private long-term Incoming cover (Care Expatriate from €58/month). The opt-out is irreversible during the same employment relationship — speak with HR before deciding.
What about my family — does GKV cover them too?
Yes. § 10 SGB V provides free Familienversicherung for spouses and children whose own monthly income stays below €535 (2025 threshold) — no separate premium. Care Expatriate (private route) requires a separate contract per family member, with age-tier premiums for each.
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009