Upgrading from expat health insurance to public or private health insurance in Germany is required when certain life changes occur, such as earning above the minijob threshold, exceeding student working-hour limits, or moving into longer-term employment. The right time to upgrade depends on the type of insurance you're switching to. If you don't qualify for public or private insurance, you can continue with expat coverage or move to a long-term expat plan.
Who needs to upgrade from expat health insurance to public or private health insurance in Germany?
Certain life changes require moving from expat health insurance to statutory public or private health insurance in Germany. You are required to upgrade if any of the following apply:
Your earnings exceed the minijob threshold of €603 per month — whether you were previously unemployed, a student, or working a minijob — unless you qualify for an exemption such as working student status or short-term employment rules.
You are a student working 20 or more hours per week during the semester, which generally exceeds working student status limits, provided your earnings also exceed the minijob threshold of €603 per month.
You are in short-term or seasonal employment and your work exceeds 3 months or 70 working days within a calendar year, which means you are no longer exempt from social contributions.
What are the income requirements for switching to private health insurance in Germany?
Private health insurance in Germany has minimum annual income thresholds that vary by 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'm 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.
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 are switching to:
For public insurance, we recommend upgrading before starting a new job, since processing can take up to 7 business days; upgrading within 2 weeks of starting employment is also acceptable.
For private insurance, processing usually takes 2–5 business days, but if you have not been insured in the last 12 months, medical and dental check-ups are required, which can extend the processing time.
What are my options if I'm 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 for expat insurance (usually 5 years), we offer a long-term expat health insurance plan as an alternative.
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.