You can upgrade from expat health insurance to public or private health insurance in Germany once you meet the eligibility requirements, and the upgrade can be completed through your account. Public insurance is best arranged before starting a job or within two weeks of beginning employment, while private insurance has minimum income thresholds and may require medical and dental check-ups. Freelancers who don't qualify for the KSK can also access public insurance through a cooperative called SMART. If an upgrade application is not approved, your expat health insurance remains active without interruption.
How can I upgrade from expat health insurance to public or private health insurance in Germany?
You can upgrade from expat health insurance to public or private health insurance in Germany once you meet the eligibility requirements for the new plan. The upgrade is completed through your account, which ensures continuous coverage with no gap between the two policies.
What are the steps to upgrade from expat health insurance to public or private insurance?
To upgrade your expat health insurance to a public or private plan, follow these steps:
Sign in to your account.
Open your existing expat health policy.
Choose the option to switch to public or private insurance.
Select either public or private insurance.
If you choose public insurance, select your provider, such as BARMER, TK, DAK, or AOK.
Complete the sign-up questionnaire as instructed.
When is the best time to upgrade to public or private health insurance in Germany?
The ideal timing depends on which type of insurance you choose:
For public insurance, upgrade before starting a new job, since processing can take up to 7 business days. Upgrading within 2 weeks after starting employment is also acceptable.
For private insurance, processing usually takes 2 to 5 business days. If you have not been insured in the last 12 months, medical and dental check-ups are required, which can extend processing time.
What are the income requirements for switching to private health insurance in Germany?
Private health insurance in Germany has minimum income thresholds that depend on your employment status and age:
Employees must earn at least €77,400 per year.
Freelancers under 51 years old must earn at least €36,000 per year.
Freelancers over 51 years old must earn at least €51,000 per year.
How can I check if I am eligible for public or private health insurance in Germany?
You can check your eligibility for public or private health insurance using our recommendation tool, which reviews your situation against the requirements for each plan type. Additional information about eligibility is also available in our online guide to health insurance in Germany.
What are my options if I am not eligible to upgrade from expat health insurance?
If you are not eligible for public or private insurance, you can continue using your current expat health insurance without interruption. If you need to switch because of a visa renewal or because you have reached the maximum coverage period of expat insurance (usually 5 years), we offer a long-term expat health insurance plan as an alternative. When moving from a short-term expat plan to a long-term expat plan, we recommend keeping your current plan active while purchasing the new one, and we will coordinate the cancellation of your short-term plan to prevent any coverage gap.
How do I upgrade through the KSK (Artists' Social Insurance Fund) or as a freelancer joining public insurance?
You can use the standard upgrade process to join public insurance through the KSK or through a cooperative for freelancers:
For the KSK, select BARMER as your public insurance provider, indicate during the sign-up questionnaire that you are employed with the employer listed as "KSK membership application," and set your employment start date 6 months in the future to allow for processing time.
For freelancers not eligible for the KSK, you can join SMART, a cooperative that acts as an employer to provide access to public insurance. Contact SMART directly to confirm eligibility, then complete the standard upgrade process through your account.
What happens if my application for public or private health insurance is rejected?
If your application for public or private health insurance is not approved, your expat health insurance remains active and you can continue using it without interruption. You can contact our support team for more assistance or additional resources.