Applicants for a German family reunion visa need health insurance that meets the government's requirements. Before you are registered in Germany, Expat health insurance is usually the more affordable compliant option; if an immigration office declines it because of its 5-year limit, Long-term expat health insurance has no time limit and is accepted. Once you are registered and applying for a residence permit, you may be able to join a spouse's Public health insurance or Private health insurance as a dependent, qualify for Private health insurance yourself, or continue with an expat product. Always confirm the exact requirements with the German embassy or your local immigration office.
Do I need a family reunion visa to join a relative in Germany?
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Citizens of the EU, the EEA/EFTA states, Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States can enter Germany without a visa. If your country is not on that list, you need to apply for a family reunion visa, which is a national long-term visa (category D). The German embassy in your home country sets the full list of requirements, and health insurance is one of them.
What health insurance do I need while I apply for a family reunion visa?
Before you are registered at a German address, Expat health insurance is the option to look into. Expat health insurance meets the health insurance requirements set by the German government for a family reunion visa, and it is usually the more affordable choice among our expat plans. A family reunion visa normally lasts only a few months before you convert it into a residence permit, so this coverage is generally sufficient for that period. Confirm the exact requirements with the German embassy in your country before you sign up, as some embassies publish detailed conditions.
Can I join my spouse's health insurance as a dependent while I am still applying for the visa?
No. Adding you as a dependent to a spouse's Public health insurance or Private health insurance policy requires you to be registered at a German address, which is not yet the case while you apply for the visa from abroad. This option can become available later, once you are living in Germany and applying for a residence permit.
What should I do if the immigration office declines Expat health insurance because of its 5-year limit?
Expat health insurance is valid for up to 5 years, and some immigration offices decline it for that reason. Because it is the more affordable option, we recommend applying with Expat health insurance first. If it is not accepted, choose Long-term expat health insurance instead. Long-term expat health insurance is a separate product with no time limit, so it is accepted in these cases. Expat health insurance and Long-term expat health insurance are two different products — check which one your immigration office requires before you sign up.
What are my health insurance options once I am in Germany applying for a residence permit?
Once you are registered at a German address and applying to extend your stay, more options may be available:
If your spouse has Public health insurance or Private health insurance, they may be able to add you to their policy if your total monthly income stays under €565. Under Public health insurance, dependents are covered free of charge. Under Private health insurance, you are added as a separate policy at an additional cost.
If your income comes from abroad and is high enough to meet the income threshold for Private health insurance, you may be eligible for Private health insurance in your own name.
Otherwise, Expat health insurance is generally valid for a residence permit application. Because a residence permit covers a longer period than a visa, the authorities may require Long-term expat health insurance, which has no time limit. Confirm the coverage requirements with your local immigration office.