If you're not eligible for public health insurance (GKV) or private health insurance (PKV) in Germany, we offer two visa-compliant alternatives: expat health insurance and long-term expat health insurance. Expat health insurance suits people who are new to Germany or have temporary status, while long-term expat health insurance suits longer stays or special situations where public and private health insurance aren't available. If your eligibility changes later, we can help you switch to public or private health insurance without coverage gaps or overlaps.
What are my options if I'm not eligible for public or private health insurance in Germany?
If you don't qualify for public health insurance (GKV) or private health insurance (PKV), we offer two visa-compliant alternatives: expat health insurance and long-term expat health insurance. Both our expat plans are built for people who need coverage but can't join public or private health insurance. If you become eligible for public or private health insurance later, we can help you switch without coverage gaps or overlaps.
When should I choose expat health insurance?
Expat health insurance is designed for people who are new to Germany or have temporary status during their first years in the country. It's typically the right choice if you:
are applying for your first visa
have lived in Germany for less than 5 years
are unemployed, self-employed, or a student
When should I choose long-term expat health insurance?
Long-term expat health insurance is designed for people who can't join expat health insurance, public health insurance (GKV), or private health insurance (PKV). We recommend it if you:
have lived in Germany for more than 5 years but aren't eligible for public or private health insurance
are applying for a visa or residence permit renewal but don't qualify for public or private health insurance
are a freelancer earning under €36,000 per year and aren't eligible for the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK)
are a freelancer earning over €36,000 per year who has pre-existing conditions and can't access private health insurance (PKV) or the KSK
want more comprehensive coverage than expat health insurance offers but can't enroll in public or private health insurance
are a dependent of someone insured with private health insurance (PKV) but have pre-existing conditions that prevent you from joining private health insurance (PKV)
What happens if I become eligible for public or private health insurance later?
If your situation changes and you qualify for public health insurance (GKV) or private health insurance (PKV), we can help you move to your new policy smoothly. We make sure there are no coverage gaps or overlaps during the switch.
How can I check whether I'm eligible for public or private health insurance?
You can use our recommendation tool to check whether you're eligible for public health insurance (GKV) or private health insurance (PKV).
You can contact our support team for more assistance or additional resources.