In Germany, you're legally required to maintain continuous health insurance coverage. This means you should only cancel your expat policy once you have another plan in place or if you leave Germany.
Then, you can cancel your expat health insurance at anytime on a monthly basis, with coverage remaining active until the end of the month you cancel in. If you change your mind shortly after purchasing, a right of withdrawal period applies, giving you 14 days from purchase (or until the policy start date, if that's further out) to cancel and receive a full refund, provided no claims were made. If you don't cancel within that window, a minimum of 1 month on the policy applies.
What is the expat health insurance cancellation and billing policy?
You can cancel your expat health insurance on a monthly basis. Premiums are charged on the 1st of each month, so as long as you cancel before the end of the current month, you won't be billed again from the following month. Your coverage stays active until the end of the month you cancel in.
What is the right of withdrawal period for expat health insurance?
The right of withdrawal period depends on when your policy starts relative to your purchase date:
If your policy starts within 14 days of purchase, you have 14 days from the purchase date to cancel and receive a full refund, as long as no claims were made during that period. For example, if you purchase on May 1 and the policy starts on May 7, you can cancel any time before May 15.
If your policy starts more than 14 days after purchase, you can cancel any time before the policy start date and receive a full refund. For example, if you purchase on May 1 and the policy starts on August 1, you can cancel any time up to and including July 31.
If you don't cancel within the right of withdrawal period, a minimum of 1 month on the policy applies.
Is there a minimum payment required if I cancel after my policy has started?
Yes. If you cancel after your policy has started, your expat policy has a one-month (30 days) minimum, and so a minimum payment equal to one month's premium applies. To avoid any charge, you must cancel before your policy's start date.
What are valid reasons for canceling my expat health insurance?
The most common valid reasons for canceling are:
You have another health insurance plan in Germany: this includes a public insurance, a private insurance, a long-term expat insurance, or another expat insurance. Select "I have another health insurance" when submitting your cancellation request.
You have left Germany: if you've relocated or are leaving permanently, select "I left Germany." If you're leaving temporarily and plan to return, you can also cancel and purchase a new policy when you come back.
You were added as a dependent on a family member's plan: select "I have another health insurance."
You never arrived in Germany or your visa was rejected: you must notify us before your policy begins and provide proof (such as a visa rejection letter or geolocation screenshot); otherwise, a minimum charge of one month applies.
The policyholder has died: you can cancel the policy due to the death of the policyholder. You can contact our support team for more assistance or additional resources.
Switching to public or private health insurance?
If you've signed up to public or private health insurance with us, we will handle the cancellation of your expat policy and you may be eligible for a partial refund on your expat health insurance charges for that month. In most cases, this is processed automatically.
If you have switched externally and need an official expat policy cancellation document for your new public or private insurer, you can contact us for assistance, since that document is created on request.