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What is the difference between expat and long term health insurance?
What is the difference between expat and long term health insurance?
Dajana avatar
Written by Dajana
Updated over 3 months ago

You may have heard about or recently spoken with us about our long term health insurance option, which can be considered as an extension to our expat health insurance. But you may be wondering what the differences are, and which one would be the best option for your situation?

Well firstly, we would suggest that our long term health insurance is a great option for those who may not be able to use expat anymore, and are not (yet) eligible for public or private health.

Here are some examples below of those who would most benefit from this policy:

  • Those who have been in Germany over 5 years and are not eligible for public or private health

  • Persons applying for a visa/permit renewal who aren’t eligible for public or private health

  • Freelancers who earn under the private threshold and aren’t eligible for KSK

  • Freelancers who earn above the private threshold but have pre-existing conditions and wouldn’t be eligible for private, and aren’t eligible for KSK

  • Those who want more coverage than what expat health can offer, but don’t want to or can’t get onto public/private health

  • Dependents of a person who is on full private health who are not eligible to join private because of pre-existing conditions

Now, let's break down some further differences between to the two to give you an overview.

Incoming Private Insurance (Expat)

Long term health insurance

Coverage overview

New conditions only, no cover for pre-existing conditions or routine check ups without symptoms

New conditions, some pre-existing conditions (if no treatment has been completed in the last 3 years) and routine check ups (after a waiting period) are included

Ability to add dependents


at an extra cost per person


at an extra cost per person

Length of policy

5 years

Unlimited

Visa requirements

§193 (3) VVG

Suitable for most first time visas but not sufficient for visa renewals

§ 152 VAG

Suitable for visas and visa renewals

Salary minimum for eligibility

X

X

Health screening for eligibility

X

X

However there is a health screening for those aged between 65-70 years

Cost

Set price based on age and policy, policies start from 72 EUR per month

Generally the cheapest option

Cost is based on age and whether a voluntary deductible is chosen.

Obtain a quote

Travel cover

EU & Schengen zone, as well as 6 weeks in home country after 1 year on the policy

Two options:
- Worldwide cover
- Worldwide cover (excluding USA & Caribbean)

Option to switch to public or private health in Germany

Age limit for signup

Up to 75 years, and expires once you turn 75

Up to 70 years

Note: sign up is until age of 70, but if you signed up before this, you can continue the policy without any time limit.

Sick pay

X

X

Long term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung)

X
If you plan on living in Germany long term, you can however reach out to us to apply for the basis pension which can be used an alternative to the statutory pension

X
If you plan on living in Germany long term, you can however reach out to us to apply for the basis pension which can be used an alternative to the statutory pension

Cancellation policy

Monthly

Monthly

If you would like to sign up for our expat health insurance, you can do so here.

If you would like to sign up for our long term health insurance, you can do so here.

If you have any further questions, please reach out to us via our support page.

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