How do I find the right health insurance in Germany?

When applying for a work visa or Blue Card for Germany, you must also prove that you have sufficient health insurance coverage for yourself, your wife and children.

In Germany you have the choice between private and statutory health insurance. Most of the people insured in Germany(approx. 90%) are covered by statutory health insurance. This has many reasons:The statutory insurance companies offer good and comprehensive health insurance cover, regardless of income level, with moderate contributions. The family (wife and children) are also insured free of charge. There is no comprehensive health check in advance and what is especially important for you: The conclusion of the contract is usually uncomplicated and in English via the online application form of the statutory health insurance companies. 

What is your monthly contribution to the statutory health insurance?

This is calculated from your gross income. In 2020 it will be 14.6 percent of your monthly gross income. Your employer pays half (= 7.3%). The other half (= 7.3%)is paid by you plus, depending on the insurance company, an additional contribution of less than one percent. As an example: At TK (TechnikerKrankenkasse) this additional factor is currently 0.7 percent.

Many insurance companies have prepared themselves well for the constantly increasing number of international employees and offer English-language service hotlines(7/24). It is essential to check this in advance or ask Taunus Relocation.

A small advantage on the side: As a member of a statutory health insurance scheme, you are also covered in emergencies in other EU countries. However, this only applies to doctors and hospitals that also treat people with statutory health insurance in other EU countries. Private doctors may not be consulted in emergencies because their fees will not be reimbursed. There are special travel health insurances for this. Our tip: Ask your health insurance company whether there is a list of doctors for the EU country you are visiting. Just to be on the safe side.

Even though basic outpatient and inpatient care in case of illness is well covered by the statutory health insurance companies, we advise our customers to consider supplementary hospital insurance. This covers the additional costs fora double or single room and the treatment of the chief physician if inpatient treatment and stay is necessary. Without additional insurance, you will always get good medical treatment, but it can happen that you will stay in one room with three or more patients.