You might have heard that expat health is a private insurance, and that is correct, but did you know that there are actually two types of private insurance in Germany, and that they differ from each other quite a bit? This can be confusing since they are often termed 'private' insurances, so let's break down some of the key differences below.
To put it simply, expat health is a type of 'incoming' private insurance, and full private insurance is a comprehensive long term health insurance in Germany (equivalent to statutory public health insurance).
Incoming private insurance:
Incoming insurances such as expat health are more basic in nature and are typically only designed and recommended for short term use as a bridging insurance until you can get onto a more long term comprehensive health insurance plan.
It is a great insurance to get yourself started in Germany as it is very easy to switch to public or full private once you are settled in and eligible to switch.
A key difference in incoming insurances is that they are short term options only, you can only use them for a limited time (5 years), and they are typically only valid for your first visa, not any secondary visas or renewals.
Full private insurance:
On the other hand, full private health provides comprehensive and long term coverage, and is a statutory insurance in Germany. Everyone who is planning on staying in Germany long term will eventually be required by law to switch to a statutory insurance.
You cannot switch from full private to an incoming insurance, and a switch from full private to public is possible before the age of 55, but it does require certain criteria to be met in order to be able to switch.
Full private is a long term insurance, and is accepted for all visas and visa renewals.
Now let's break down some further details about the coverage differences below:
| Incoming Private Insurance (Expat) | Full Private Insurance |
Coverage overview | Basic cover
New conditions only, no cover for pre-existing conditions or routine check ups without symptoms | Comprehensive cover
New conditions, some pre-existing conditions and routine check ups are included |
Coverage add ons | X | ✅
Can tailor your plan to add extra coverage Eg private room, supplementary dental and travel cover |
Ability to add dependents | ✅ | ✅ |
Length of policy | 5 years | Unlimited |
Visa requirements | §193 (3) VVG
Suitable for most first time visas but not sufficient for visa renewals | § 257 par. 2a SGB V.
Suitable for all visas and all visa renewals |
Salary minimum for eligibility | X | ✅ |
Health screening for eligibility | X | ✅
Note: if you've been insured anywhere in the world for the last 12 months, you can avoid undergoing the exams.
|
Cost | Set price based on age and policy.
Generally the cheapest option
| Cost is based on individual assessment and depends on age and health status, but private health is often cheaper than public health insurance |
Travel cover | EU & schengen zone, as well as 6 weeks in home country after 1 year on the policy | Customisable
Can extend to comprehensive worldwide cover depending on policy or add-on chosen |
Option to switch to public health | ✅ | Possible if certain criteria is met, up to the age of 55 years |
Age limit | Up to 75 years | No limit, but eligibility typically does reduce with age |
Sick pay | X | ✅ |
Long term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) | X | ✅ |
If you would like to learn more about expat health, get a quote or sign up, you can do so here.
If you would like to learn more about private health, get a quote or sign up, you can do so here.
If you have any questions, please reach out to us at our support page.