EU/EEA citizenship alone does not qualify you for Public health insurance in Germany. If you are employed by a German company and earn more than €603 per month, membership is mandatory and straightforward. If you are self-employed or working a minijob, you can only join as a voluntary member, which requires a recent history of EU/EEA state insurance. If you do not meet those requirements, a narrow provision called §5 I 13 SGB V may apply, and Expat health insurance is often a more affordable starting point.
Why was I rejected from public health insurance even though I have EU/EEA citizenship?
Eligibility for Public health insurance in Germany is based on your employment situation and your prior insurance history, not on your citizenship. EU/EEA citizens who are not employed above the mandatory threshold can only join as voluntary members, and voluntary membership has its own requirements that citizenship does not satisfy. This is why an application can be rejected even when you hold an EU or EEA passport.
When is public health insurance mandatory for me in Germany?
If you are employed by a German company and earn more than €603 per month, you are mandatorily insured in Public health insurance (GKV) and can apply directly. Mandatory membership does not require any prior insurance history. If you are self-employed or working a minijob with earnings of €603 per month or less, mandatory membership does not apply, and you fall under the voluntary membership rules instead.
What are the requirements for voluntary membership in public health insurance?
Voluntary membership in Public health insurance is technically the continuation of state health insurance you already held in an EU or EEA country. To qualify, both of the following must be true:
Your EU/EEA state insurance ended less than 3 months ago.
Before it ended, that insurance was active for at least 12 full consecutive months, or for at least 24 months within the last 5 years, with interruptions allowed.
Voluntary membership therefore depends on your insurance history rather than your citizenship. If you meet both conditions, you can submit an application for Public health insurance.
Am I eligible for public health insurance if I don't meet the voluntary membership requirements?
There is a narrow provision of Public health insurance, §5 I 13 SGB V, that can apply to German citizens and to people holding a residency permit that is valid for more than 1 year into the future. German citizens can qualify under this provision even without income, while EU citizens and holders of a German residency permit need to show a certain level of income. Only a public health provider can assess eligibility under §5 I 13 SGB V and process such an application.
You can contact our support team for more assistance or additional resources.
How much does voluntary public health insurance cost?
Voluntary membership in Public health insurance can be expensive, and there is no free health insurance in Germany unless you qualify for government benefits. The minimum monthly contribution is approximately €260 for people with minimal earnings. If you earn more than €2,000 per month, your contribution is roughly 20% of your monthly income.
What are my options if I'm working a minijob in Germany?
If you are working a minijob and do not qualify for mandatory or voluntary membership in Public health insurance, Expat health insurance can be a more affordable way to start, with premiums beginning at €72 per month. Once you find a regular job that makes Public health insurance mandatory, you can switch, and we can assist you with that switch.
When is voluntary public health insurance or §5 I 13 SGB V the better choice?
Voluntary membership in Public health insurance or coverage under §5 I 13 SGB V is worth considering if you have ongoing health issues that require frequent medical attention, or if you need coverage that lasts many years. One common example is planning to stay self-employed for the long term without qualifying for Private health insurance (PKV). In other situations the cost often outweighs the benefit compared with Expat health insurance.