You can move from expat health insurance to long-term expat health insurance when your expat health coverage is ending or no longer fits your needs and you are not yet eligible for public health insurance (GKV). Long-term expat health insurance is open to applicants under 70 at sign-up, and enrolling before 70 lets you keep the policy indefinitely. We coordinate the cancellation of the old policy and the start of the new one so there is no gap or overlap. Conditions that developed under your earlier coverage are treated as pre-existing.
How do I switch from expat health insurance to long-term expat health insurance?
You can switch when your expat health coverage is ending or no longer meets your needs and you are not yet eligible for public health insurance (GKV). To complete the switch:
Purchase a long-term expat health insurance plan with your preferred start date. You cannot sign up more than 60 days before your intended start date.
Complete the application for the long-term expat health plan.
Please contact our support team after completing your application. We coordinate the cancellation of your expat health policy and the activation of your new long-term expat health policy so there is no gap or overlap in coverage.
Who can switch to long-term expat health insurance?
The switch is open to expat health insurance policyholders who are not yet eligible for public health insurance (GKV) and who are under 70 years old at the time of sign-up. If you enroll before age 70, you can keep the long-term expat health policy indefinitely, with no upper age limit on maintaining the policy.
When should I switch from expat health insurance to long-term expat health insurance?
Consider switching to long-term expat health insurance if any of the following apply:
You have been in Germany for 5 years or more and your expat health coverage is reaching its maximum coverage period.
You have a visa or residence-permit renewal coming up and the authorities have asked for more comprehensive coverage than your expat health plan provides, but you are not eligible for public health insurance (GKV) or private health insurance (PKV).
In these situations, long-term expat health insurance is the alternative to remaining uninsured or underinsured.
What happens to medical conditions that developed during my expat health coverage?
Any medical condition that developed before your long-term expat health coverage starts is treated as a pre-existing condition and will not be covered. This includes conditions that developed while you were covered by your expat health plan.