Private health insurance (PKV) is accepted for German visa and residence permit applications, both first-time applications and renewals, because it meets the requirements set out in § 257 (2a) SGB V. You show the immigration office a membership certificate, which you can request through the policy page in your account.
Is Private health insurance (PKV) accepted for a German visa or residence permit?
Private health insurance (PKV) meets the requirements set out in § 257 (2a) SGB V, as confirmed on your membership certificate, and is valid for all visa types, including renewals. This applies to every person insured under the policy, including a spouse or child added as a dependent, so a dependent’s own visa or residence permit application is covered by their private health insurance (PKV) in the same way.
Do I need to do anything different if this is a renewal rather than a first application?
No. Private health insurance (PKV) is accepted for both first-time applications and renewals, so it should be sufficient in each case. This is a difference from expat health insurance, which is accepted for most first-time visa applications but generally not for renewals.
What proof of insurance do I show the immigration office?
You have two options, both available through the policy page in your Feather account once your policy is active.
A membership certificate is the better option in most cases, because it is issued when you request it and reflects your coverage as it stands now. It confirms your coverage and its start date, states that the insurance meets the legal requirements, including those set out in § 257 (2a) SGB V, and confirms that nursing care insurance is included. It is issued by Hallesche in German, which is what immigration offices expect. To request one, log in to your Feather account at app.feather-insurance.com/account, open your policy page, select “Manage this policy”, and choose “Document request”. It usually takes up to a week to arrive.
A confirmation document is available on the same page straight away. It confirms your Private health insurance (PKV) coverage, the same legal requirements, and that nursing care insurance is included. Because it was issued when your policy started, it may not reflect your current coverage if you have been with us for a while, so it is best used when your appointment is soon and there is no time to request a certificate.
Neither document lists your monthly contribution. In most cases it is not needed, and the membership certificate on its own is accepted. If your immigration office specifically insists on the amount, you can use your policy document, which you can download either from your Feather policy page, the H4U app, or it was delivered to your home address after signup. If they need it stated more explicitly, get in touch and we will request a document that shows it.
If your policy has already been canceled, contact our support team instead, since the request form is only available while a policy is active.
Can I get a binding offer before I apply?
No. We can’t issue a binding individual offer confirming specific terms, a premium, or willingness to insure you. Those come from the insurer, and only after a full application, including the health questionnaire, has been submitted and reviewed.
If an immigration authority has asked you for one, here’s what you can provide instead:
A quote, which you can start at feather-insurance.com/health-insurance/private. It shows the tariff, the insurer behind it, and the monthly premium including the long-term care insurance contribution.
Your application document is generated as soon as you complete the application. It includes your quote, so it shows the tariff and premium you’ve applied for without waiting for a decision.
An insurance confirmation, which you receive once your application is accepted. It states the tariff, the premium, and the start date, and is the document that confirms coverage.
Your start date can be set in the future, so coverage can begin after your visa is issued. How quickly you can get the confirmation depends mainly on how fast the application and any follow-up health questions are completed, so it’s worth starting the quote as early as you can.
Does my choice of plan affect whether the immigration office accepts my insurance?
All of our Private health insurance (PKV) plans are accepted for German visa and residence permit applications. One thing to plan for: the Short-term plan has one condition that the other plans don't. It can only be held while you are in Germany on a temporary residence permit, and coverage under that plan ends once your permit is no longer temporary. If you are on the Short-term plan and you are granted permanent residency, request a change to a plan with old-age savings (Standard, Plus, or Premium) through the policy page in your Feather account at the same time.