Health Insurance for Foreign Employees in Germany — from €58/month
Sources: § 5 SGB V · Skilled Immigration Act · HanseMerkur GTC · Care Concept AG · GKV-Spitzenverband · DAK-Gesundheit
No insurance certificate — no first day at work. That is the rule for every foreign employee and skilled worker in Germany. Without a valid proof of insurance your employer simply cannot register you for social security. And without registration: no salary, no active contract, no start.
Health insurance for foreign employees does not have to be complex or expensive. Private Incoming tariffs start at Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) — statutory GKV via DAK-Gesundheit starts with the first salary at 17.8% of gross, split equally between employer and employee.
Below we explain why Blue Card holders and skilled workers can make a single wrong choice between GKV and private insurance that locks them in for years — and how to avoid it.
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
Ready to start work in Germany? Pick your employee plan.
The four worries almost every foreign employee in Germany has
Quick answer: "Do I really need insurance before day one?" — Yes. Under § 5 SGB V, no HR department can register you for social security without a valid insurance certificate. Below are the four pain points we see again and again, and how each one is solved with the right tariff.
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.
Quick reality check: what happens without proof of insurance?
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.
How fast can you be HR-ready if you act today?
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.
Get HR-ready in 3 steps
10 minutes of effort. PDF certificate by email. Forwardable to HR and the Ausländerbehörde.
Covered for your German job in 3 steps
Statutory health insurance with employer contribution; family coverage may be possible under certain conditions.
-
Choose DAK-Gesundheit
Choose DAK-Gesundheit if you will work in a social-security-covered job and are required or eligible for German statutory health insurance.
-
Complete the membership form
Enter your personal details, employer details and planned job start date.
-
Receive membership confirmation
Receive confirmation for your employer; your health insurance card follows after membership setup.
What foreign employees, skilled workers and Blue Card holders say about choosing the right insurance for the first day of work, the residence permit appointment and the social-security registration
“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 employee health insurance — by case
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
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 — all prices by age & duration
Quick answer: Care Expatriate — the recommended private Incoming tariff for Blue Card holders, freelancers, expats and transition periods — starts at €58/month (ages 18–29) and goes up to €432/month (entry age 61–74, Premium tier). Up to 60 months duration, accepted by HR and the Ausländerbehörde for the residence permit.
| 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
Is health insurance mandatory for foreign employees in Germany?
Yes. Under § 5 SGB V every employee — including foreign nationals, skilled workers and Blue Card holders — must have valid health insurance from the first working day. Without an insurance certificate the employer cannot register you for social security.
GKV or private — what applies to foreign employees?
Employees with gross income under €77,400/year (2026 JVEG) are mandatory in GKV (e.g. DAK-Gesundheit, 17.8% of gross, split 50/50 employer/employee). Above the threshold or for Blue Card transition periods, private Incoming insurance like Care Expatriate from €58/month is possible. Switching from GKV to private is practically irreversible from age 55.
What does health insurance cost for foreign employees?
GKV: ~17.8% of gross salary, half paid by the employer. Private Incoming tariffs for transition periods start at €58/month (Care Expatriate, ages 18–29) up to €432/month (entry age 61–74, Premium tier).
Can I use my home-country insurance in Germany?
EU citizens can use the EHIC for short visits, but it is not sufficient for regular employment in Germany. A German insurance certificate is required for the social security registration.
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009