Top expat health insurance quotes in Germany

Germany operates a dual public and private healthcare system, which was the first social healthcare system in the world. About 90% of all German residents use public health insurance, with the remaining 10% either fully private or topping up with private coverage.

Everyone in Germany, from permanent residents to temporary visitors, needs to be covered by a health insurance plan. Most residents use the public system, but you can choose to opt out and go fully private if you are self-employed or a high earner. If you’re new to Germany or a tourist, you must pay out of pocket for medical services if you don’t have private health insurance or an EHIC.

It’s best to start your private health insurance policy just before you arrive in Germany. If you have a coverage gap between your insurance at home and your new policy, this could leave you with out-of-pocket expenses in case of emergency.

Usually private health insurance policies are on an individual basis. If you want to cover a partner or family members, you can add them on when you build your policy. If you have several dependents, it’s worth shopping around for the best family plan.

When you first design a health insurance plan, you can choose what you will pay yourself and what the provider will pay. Which treatments your plan covers depends on if you’ve met your deductible, whether you have a provider network, and other factors.

Health insurance premiums are based on age, medical history, level of coverage needed, and whether you include extra benefits. Germany has some of the highest healthcare costs in Europe so premiums will be higher there than in other countries.

The claims process in Germany varies between insurers. Some deal directly with healthcare providers and pay bills on your behalf while others require you to pay upfront and send an invoice after. If you’re concerned about having to pay upfront, look for a provider who can sort out claims directly.