Expat health insurance in Germany consists of short-term and long-term plans designed for temporary residents. Short-term plans are affordable, cover accidents, emergencies, and new illnesses, and last up to five years. Long-term plans can be used indefinitely and offer additional benefits such as preventative care and psychotherapy. Both plans generally exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions and comprehensive preventative care. Public or full private health insurance is recommended for full coverage if eligible.
What is short-term expat health insurance in Germany?
Short-term expat health insurance is an affordable option starting at 72 euros per month and can be used for up to five years from the date of entering Germany. This plan covers accidents, emergencies, and new illnesses but excludes treatment for pre-existing conditions and most preventative care. It is sometimes called "incoming insurance" and is intended primarily for temporary stays.
What is long-term expat health insurance in Germany?
Long-term expat health insurance can be used indefinitely and is recommended for individuals who no longer qualify for the short-term plan, such as those whose five-year limit has passed or those not yet eligible for public or full private health insurance. The long-term plan covers accidents, emergencies, new illnesses, and some additional care including preventative healthcare, holistic treatments, and psychotherapy. Like the short-term plan, it excludes most treatment for pre-existing conditions.
What coverage limitations apply to expat health insurance plans?
Expat health insurance plans generally do not cover treatment for pre-existing medical conditions or comprehensive preventative care, though some preventative care exceptions apply to the long-term plan. These limitations make expat health insurance a more affordable but less complete option compared to public or private health insurance.
When should I choose expat health insurance?
Expat health insurance is recommended as a temporary option for recent arrivals or those ineligible for public or private health insurance. Once eligible, enrolling in public or private health insurance is advised to ensure full medical coverage.
Are short-term and long-term expat health insurance plans referred to by other names?
Both short-term and long-term expat health insurance plans are sometimes called "incoming insurance" in Germany.
Short term expat plan
Generally the cheapest health insurance option, with our short term plans starting at 72 euros per month
Can be used for up to 5 years from the date you entered Germany.
If you intend to stay in Germany longer than 5 years, then we recommend you explore your eligibility for public insurance or private insurance, or look into our long term policy
Cover for accidents, emergencies, and new illnesses
Sometimes referred to as "incoming insurance"
You can sign up to our short term expat health plan here.
Long term expat plan
Can be used used indefinitely, but is generally recommended for those who can no longer use short term expat (eg because the 5 year limit has lapsed) and for those who are not yet eligible for public or full private health.
Cover for accidents, emergencies, and new illnesses, as well as some additional care such as preventative care, holistic care, and psychotherapy.
Sometimes referred to as "incoming insurance"
You can sign up to our long term plan here.
Important information to note
This kind of care does not cover treatment of pre-existing conditions or preventative care (with some exceptions on our long term expat plan).
That's why it's one of the cheaper insurance options in Germany and also why we only recommend using it for a short period of time. Furthermore, if you are eligible for public or private health insurance, then we would almost always recommend you choose one of these options instead, to make sure that you are fully covered.