Expat health insurance is ongoing residential coverage for people living in Germany, valid for up to 5 years and regulated by BaFin. Travel health insurance is a short-term product that only covers emergency treatment during temporary trips outside your country of residence. Because it is BaFin-regulated, expat health insurance is generally accepted for German visa and residence permit applications, whereas travel health insurance usually is not.
How is expat health insurance different from travel health insurance?
Expat health insurance is designed for people living in Germany as their primary country of residence, and it provides comprehensive coverage for new illnesses, injuries, and accidents. It is intended as ongoing residential coverage for up to 5 years. Travel health insurance is a short-term product that only covers emergency treatment during temporary trips outside your country of residence. We offer expat health insurance for residents of Germany.
I am applying for a German visa — is travel health insurance enough?
Expat health insurance is regulated by BaFin, Germany's federal financial supervisory authority, and is generally accepted for first-time visa applications and residence permits. Travel health insurance is typically not BaFin-regulated and may not meet German visa or residence permit requirements.
What geographical areas do expat health insurance and travel health insurance cover?
Expat health insurance covers Germany, along with temporary trips to European Union countries, Schengen countries, Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City. Travel health insurance generally provides worldwide coverage but excludes treatment within Germany.