Expat health insurance meets the legal minimum under §193 Abs. 3 VVG, so it is accepted for most first-time visa applications. It does not meet the §257 Abs. 2a SGB V requirement that authorities apply to visa renewals and residence permit extensions, which generally require full public health insurance or private health insurance. When neither is an option, a long-term expat health insurance plan meeting the §152 Basistarif standard may be accepted as an alternative.
Can I use expat health insurance for a visa renewal in Germany?
Expat health insurance meets the legal minimum requirements under §193 Abs. 3 VVG, so it is accepted for most first-time visa applications. It does not meet the §257 Abs. 2a SGB V requirement that German authorities typically apply to visa renewals and long-term residence permit extensions, so it is generally not accepted for those. There are 2 exceptions where expat health is generally accepted:
Expat health is generally accepted when you renew a student visa.
Expat health is generally accepted when you switch from a student visa to a job-seeker visa.
What health insurance do I need to renew a long-term residence visa in Germany?
To meet the §257 Abs. 2a SGB V requirement for long-term visa renewals and residence permit extensions, you need full public health insurance (GKV) or private health insurance (PKV). This requirement applies primarily to non-EU citizens who intend to reside in Germany, and it mandates comprehensive coverage that expat health insurance does not provide. You can use our recommendation tool to check whether you are eligible for public health insurance or full private health insurance.
What are my options for a visa renewal if I can't get public or private health insurance?
If you need to renew your visa, do not qualify for public health insurance or private health insurance, and are not a student, a long-term expat health insurance plan that meets the §152 Basistarif standard is generally accepted by the authorities as an alternative to public or private health insurance. Your next step depends on your current coverage:
If you already hold an expat health plan with us, see our article on switching from expat health to long-term expat health insurance for full details on eligibility and the transition process.