Which visas does expat health insurance meet the requirements for in Germany?

Expat health insurance generally meets the minimum health insurance requirements for many short-term and first-time German visas that last less than 5 years, including Schengen, student, freelance, and family reunification visas. It guarantees a minimum coverage of €30,000 and is valid for up to 5 years from arrival. Because requirements vary by visa type and city, applicants should confirm the conditions with their local Foreigner's Office. If you qualify for full public health insurance or private health insurance, those options are recommended for longer-term visas.

Expat health insurance generally meets the minimum health insurance requirements for many short-term and first-time German visas that last less than 5 years. Exact acceptance depends on your specific visa type and the city where you apply. It's commonly accepted for the following visas:

Because requirements differ by city and by visa, we can only offer general guidelines on which visas accept expat health insurance.

Requirements vary by visa type and by city, so you should verify the conditions for your situation before applying. Check the official Foreigner's Office (Ausländerbehörde) website for the city where you apply, where health insurance conditions are usually listed under a heading such as "adequate health insurance." You can also review the German government's official visa handbook (available in German only, 2021 update), which is used to determine visa eligibility and legal obligations.

Expat health insurance guarantees a minimum coverage amount of €30,000, which meets the German legal minimum for residence visas. The policy is valid for up to 5 years from your arrival in Germany. This coverage satisfies the minimum requirements for many visa types, but you should still confirm the specific conditions that apply in your city.

If you're eligible for Public health insurance or Private health insurance (PKV) in Germany, we recommend those options over expat health insurance, because they meet visa requirements more comprehensively — including for longer-term visas. You can check which options you qualify for using our health insurance tool.