+49 228 97735-44· German & English spoken
    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
    All tariffsFind a tariff
    Find a tariff
    Care College (students)from €27.50/month (up to 5 years)

    Germany's Healthcare System: Statutory vs Private Cover for Foreigners 2026

    Sources: § 5 SGB V · § 257 SGB V · JAEG 2026 (€77,400) · § 5 AufenthG · BAMF · HanseMerkur AVB · Care Concept AG

    In Germany, health insurance is mandatory by law (§ 193 VVG) — no exceptions for foreigners. The country runs a dual system: statutory insurance (GKV) covers roughly 90% of residents and is mandatory for most employees and students under 30, while private insurance (PKV and private Incoming products) is the path for high earners, freelancers, retirees and most short- to mid-term foreigners on a residence permit.

    For international students the standard private path is Care College from €27.50/month (12–40 years, 1–60 months, recognised by German universities). Freelancers, retirees and residence-permit holders typically choose Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years). Visitors, family-visit and Chancenkarte stays run on Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years).

    Below: who can join GKV (and who cannot), what GKV costs in 2026, when private Incoming is the cheaper or only legal path, what doctors, hospitals and pharmacies typically charge without cover, and how to obtain a recognised certificate within 10 minutes online.

    Trusted Providers

    Care Concept · HanseMerkur · DAK-Gesundheit · BASTI

    Proof for Your Situation

    Visa, enrollment, residence, employer or blocked-account documents

    Online Process

    Apply online and receive the available confirmation after successful completion

    4.9/5

    Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009

    Statutory or private cover in Germany? Pick the certificate your university or Ausländerbehörde will accept.

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

    The four mistakes foreigners make when choosing between GKV and private cover

    Quick answer: "Should I just take the cheapest GKV?" — Not always. If you are over 30, a freelancer, on a short residence permit, or earning above €77,400/year, GKV is either closed to you or far more expensive than a recognised private Incoming tariff. The four pain points below cause most of the wasted money and rejected residence-permit files.

    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.

    Reality check: what one uninsured week in Germany really 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.

    🏥

    €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.

    🧳

    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 your residence permit, enrolment or job-start date

    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 a recognised certificate in 3 steps

    10 minutes online. PDF certificate issued instantly — upload directly to your university enrolment, residence-permit file or embassy application.

    Long-term stay covered in 3 steps

    Care Expatriate can cover longer incoming stays up to 5 years, depending on age and selected plan.

    1. 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.

    2. Complete the application

      Enter passport, destination, stay details and requested coverage period online. Additional questions may apply depending on the plan.

    3. Submit your proof

      Receive PDF confirmation after successful application and submit it to the embassy, consulate or immigration authority if requested.

    What international students, expats, freelancers and retirees in Germany say about choosing between statutory GKV (DAK, TK, AOK) and private Incoming cover (Care College, Care Expatriate, Care Economy), and how the certificate was accepted by their university and the Ausländerbehörde

    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

    Care College — all prices by age and tier

    Quick answer: Care College is the standard recognised private Incoming tariff for international students, language-school students, doctoral candidates and Studienkolleg attendees in Germany aged 12–40. Premiums start at €27.50/month (up to age 29) and €33.50–99/month (age 30+), term 1–60 months, three tiers (Basic / Comfort / Premium).

    Care College
    Basic
    BestsellerComfort
    Premium
    Deductible / yr
    120,–
    Deductible / yr
    0,–
    Deductible / yr
    0,–
    Months 1–24 monthup to 29 yrs (€ / month) 27,50 34,– 48,–
    Months 1–24 monthfrom 30 yrs (€ / month) 33,50 50,– 75,–
    From 25th monthup to 29 yrs (€ / month) 49,50 57,– 73,–
    From 25th monthfrom 30 yrs (€ / month) 55,– 73,– 99,–

    All prices per month/person in euros. Deductible applies per insurance year. Maximum entry age 40. As of 2026.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How long can Care Expatriate cover my stay?

    Care Expatriate can cover incoming long-stay cases for up to 5 years, depending on age, destination and selected plan.

    Up to what entry age is Care Expatriate available?

    Care Expatriate is available up to entry age 74. Premiums depend on age and selected variant.

    When does Care Economy fit better than Care Expatriate?

    Care Economy fits shorter visitor stays up to 2 years, such as family visits or Opportunity Card stays. Care Expatriate fits longer expat, freelancer, self-employed or selected senior long-stay scenarios.

    4.9/5

    Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009

    Statutory or private? Pick the recognised certificate that fits your situation in Germany.

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

    Just visiting Germany, on a Chancenkarte or staying with family for a few weeks? Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (1 day – 2 years, ages 0–74) is the recognised short-stay Incoming tariff and is typically accepted by German embassies and the Ausländerbehörde.