Health Insurance for Foreign Freelancers & Self-Employed in Germany — from €58/month
Sources: § 5 AufenthG · § 21 AufenthG · § 193 VVG · § 9 SGB V (voluntary GKV) · BAMF · HanseMerkur AVB · Care Concept AG · Finanzamt
No insurance certificate — no residence permit, no Finanzamt registration, no first invoice. That is the chain for every foreign freelancer, Freiberufler and self-employed person in Germany. The Ausländerbehörde does not ask whether you have insurance — it requires the certificate (§ 5 (1) No. 1 AufenthG). Without it the residence permit is refused and the freelancer visa expires.
Foreign freelancers cannot enter statutory GKV through self-employment alone. The standard private path is Care Expatriate from €58/month (ages 18–29; up to 60 months duration), accepted by the Ausländerbehörde under § 5 / § 21 AufenthG. For short transition gaps — e.g. ending a German employee contract, Chancenkarte job search or family bridging up to 2 years — Care Economy from €30 per 30 days is the typical short-stay certificate.
Below we explain why most freelancers cannot use GKV (and the narrow 3-month voluntary continuation window for ex-employees), how the Finanzamt and the Ausländerbehörde each verify the certificate, and which tariff is honest for your age band.
Long-Stay Coverage
Care Expatriate by HanseMerkur Versicherungsgruppe / Advigon
Residence Documents
Proof for visa or immigration authority documents
Fast Confirmation
PDF confirmation available after successful application
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
Ready for the freelancer residence permit? Pick your plan.
The four worries almost every foreign freelancer in Germany has
Quick answer: "Can I just keep my home-country policy?" — No. The Ausländerbehörde requires German-recognised cover with ambulant + inpatient benefits for the full residence-permit period. Below are the four pain points we see again and again, and how each one is solved with the right Incoming tariff.
Avoid the mistakes that can delay your application
Visitor insurance may be too short
For multi-month or multi-year stays, Care Expatriate can be a better fit than short visitor coverage.
Statutory or private?
Freelancers, self-employed people and some incoming long-stay cases may need private incoming coverage instead of German statutory insurance.
Residence proof requested?
Care Expatriate can provide PDF confirmation after successful application for visa or immigration documents.
Renewal stress later
A longer coverage term can reduce repeated renewal pressure during projects, residence processes or long stays.
Quick reality check: what an unprotected freelancer hospital stay costs
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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Up to 5 years
Short visitor cover may be too weak
For long stays, freelance work or residence documents, short visitor insurance may be too short or not the right proof.
- 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.
Why act before the Ausländerbehörde appointment
Why act before your residence documents are due
Long-stay proof can become urgent during visa, residence permit, project or relocation steps. Short visitor cover may not be enough.
Long stay, different proof
Care Expatriate can fit longer incoming stays up to 5 years, depending on age and selected plan.
Residence documents need clarity
Your proof should match destination, coverage period and long-stay purpose.
Do not wait for renewal stress
Preparing longer coverage early can reduce repeated extension pressure.
Private or statutory?
Freelancers, self-employed people and employees on assignment without German statutory insurance may need a different route than employees.
Get insured in 3 steps
10 minutes of effort. Up to 5 years of cover. PDF certificate by email — forwardable to Ausländerbehörde, Finanzamt and bank.
Long-term stay covered in 3 steps
Care Expatriate can cover longer incoming stays up to 5 years, depending on age and selected plan.
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Choose your plan
Care Expatriate for expats, freelancers, self-employed people, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, or seniors up to entry age 74.
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Complete the application
Enter passport, destination, stay details and requested coverage period online. Additional questions may apply depending on the plan.
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Submit your proof
Receive PDF confirmation after successful application and submit it to the embassy, consulate or immigration authority if requested.
What foreign freelancers, Freiberufler and self-employed expats say about getting the residence-permit insurance certificate, switching from an employee contract, and choosing Care Expatriate for the freelancer visa
“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 freelancer 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
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 — all prices by age & tier
Quick answer: Care Expatriate — the recommended private Incoming tariff for foreign freelancers and self-employed in Germany — 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 the Ausländerbehörde under § 5 / § 21 AufenthG and by the Finanzamt for tax registration.
| 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
What health insurance do foreign freelancers need in Germany?
All foreign freelancers and self-employed in Germany need valid health insurance — it is mandatory under § 193 VVG and required for the residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) under § 5 / § 21 AufenthG. Care Expatriate (from €58/month, up to 60 months) is the standard private Incoming tariff for this case; the certificate is typically accepted by the Ausländerbehörde and arrives by PDF within minutes.
Can foreign freelancers join statutory GKV in Germany?
Only in narrow cases. If you switch directly from a German employee contract into self-employment you may continue voluntary GKV within 3 months. Newly arriving freelancers without prior German GKV cover usually cannot join statutory insurance through self-employment and need a private Incoming tariff such as Care Expatriate.
How much does freelancer health insurance cost in Germany?
Private Care Expatriate starts from €58/month at age 13–40 (Basic, SB 150 €) and rises with age — from €68/month at 41–60 and €246/month at 61–74 on Basic, up to €432/month at 61–74 on Premium (SB 0 €). Voluntary GKV for self-employed is income-based with a minimum contribution of roughly €230–€260/month — usually significantly more expensive for entry-level freelancers.
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009