Applying for a German Visa as a Foreigner
Sources: EU Regulation 810/2009 Art. 15 · § 5 AufenthG · Auswärtiges Amt · BAMF · HanseMerkur AVB · Care Concept AG
No insurance certificate — no German visa. Every German visa application (Schengen C, national D, student, family reunification, work, retiree) requires a recognised health-insurance proof matched to the visa type and stay duration. Embassies routinely reject incomplete files — and a replacement appointment can take 4 to 12 weeks.
For Schengen visas the standard certificate is Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (1–92 days, €30,000 minimum cover with repatriation per EU 810/2009 Art. 15, minimum premium €8.50/trip). For national D-visas, family visits or Chancenkarte stays use Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (1 day – 2 years; ages 0–74). Both PDF certificates are issued instantly online and are typically accepted by German embassies and the Ausländerbehörde.
Below: which proof every embassy expects, the documents checklist by visa type, embassy timing (book 6–12 weeks ahead), the most common rejection reasons — and the long-term path with Care Expatriate for residence permits beyond 12 months.
Schengen Insurance
Care Visa Protect by HanseMerkur Reiseversicherung AG
Schengen Visa Proof
Meets the €30,000 Schengen insurance requirement
PDF Certificate
Available after successful online application
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
Applying for a German visa? Pick the certificate your embassy will accept.
The four worries almost every German-visa applicant has
Quick answer: "Can I just buy any travel insurance for my Schengen visa?" — No. The German embassy checks for the €30,000 minimum, valid in all Schengen states, with repatriation. Below are the four pain points that cause the most rejections, and how each one is solved with the right Care plan.
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 a rejected visa appointment 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.
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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.
🧳
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 6–12 weeks before the embassy 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 the visa-recognised certificate in 3 steps
10 minutes online. PDF certificate issued instantly — upload directly into your German visa application alongside passport, biometric photo and supporting documents.
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 German-visa applicants from India, China, the Philippines, Brazil, Nigeria, Turkey and the Western Balkans say about the embassy interview, the €30,000 Schengen minimum cover under EU 810/2009 Art. 15, and applying with Care Visa Protect or Care Economy
“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 German-visa health insurance — by visa type
Care Visa Protect
from only €0.85 / day (1–92 days possible)
For Schengen visas, tourists, family visits & business travel
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities quickly available (PDF)
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- Affordable coverage from €0.85/day (minimum premium applies)
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental emergency coverage
- For Germany, Austria, the EU/Schengen Area, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
- Ideal for short stays, family visits, tourists & business travelers
- Multiple-visa option: several trips up to a total of 92 days/year
- Must be purchased before entry
- Age-based rates: from €0.85/day up to age 64 · from €2.60/day for ages 65–74
- Coverage term: 1–92 days · entry age 0–74
Why Care Visa Protect?
For foreign visitors with a Schengen visa who need fast, affordable proof of insurance for an embassy, visa office or immigration authority — suitable for tourists, family visits and short business trips.
Why a 92-day coverage term?
Ideal for typical short stays and Schengen trips: enough coverage for a visit, vacation or business trip — without buying long-term insurance.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Travel Insurance AG, Hamburg
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental emergency & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €0.85 / day · coverage up to 92 days
→ 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 Visa Protect — all prices by age and trip length
Quick answer: Care Visa Protect is the standard Schengen-visa tariff: from €0.85/day (entry age 0–64, no deductible), minimum premium €8.50 per trip, term 1–92 days, EU 810/2009 Art. 15 compliant with €30,000 minimum medical cover and repatriation. Entry age up to 74 — premiums scale with age and trip length.
| Care Visa Protect | Daily premium | Multiple Visa (annual contract) |
|---|---|---|
| up to age 64 | €0.85/day | €110/year |
| 65 – 74 years | €2.60/day | €215/year |
Prices per person. Minimum premium €8.50 per trip. Maximum benefit €50,000 (well above the Schengen minimum of €30,000). Deductible €0. Must be purchased before travel. As of 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest visa health insurance for Germany?
Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day for Schengen visas (min. €8.50 / trip), and Care Economy from €30 / 30 days for national visas longer than 92 days.
When do I need the insurance certificate?
Before the visa appointment at the German consulate — the PDF must be uploaded as part of the application documents.
What if my visa application is rejected?
Care Concept refunds the premium (minus a small fee) on production of the official Ablehnungsbescheid from the embassy.
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
Ready for your embassy appointment? Pick the visa-recognised plan that fits your case.
Applying for a long-term German residence permit beyond 12 months? Care Expatriate (up to 5 years) is the standard private Incoming tariff for work, freelancer and family-reunification residence permits under § 5 AufenthG.