People who want to settle in Germany should have information about health insurance. Because in Germany, where the social state approach is dominant, everyone coming to the country must have health insurance. This also applies to foreign nationals and short-term tourists residing in the country.
Persons residing in Germany and whose income is below a certain amount are obliged to have legal health insurance called Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung. Foreign nationals with a residence permit in Germany are also obliged to take out this compulsory health insurance. People with an income above a certain level or who will only be in the country for a short period of time may need to take out private health insurance.
If you are planning to move to Germany and want to learn more about health insurance in Germany, you have come to the right place! In this article, you will find everything you need to know about health insurance in Germany.
How can I get health insurance in Germany?
Getting health insurance in Germany is very simple for those who are familiar with the process. Below you can find the steps you need to follow to get health insurance in Germany:
- Find a company: Firstly, you need to find a suitable insurance company. You can use the website krankenkassen.de for this.
- Submit the necessary documents: The company you have chosen may ask you to submit various documents, such as a passport photo, residence permit and proof of income. The required documents are usually available on the company’s website. For this reason, you can read the website of the company you have chosen thoroughly and learn the necessary documents. Thus, you can prepare all your documents completely.
- To apply for membership: If you have prepared the necessary documents, the next step is to apply for membership. If there are online application forms on the website of the company you have chosen, you can make your application through the site.
- Receiving your insurance card: Once your application has been approved, your card will be quickly prepared and mailed to your address. Remember that you must take your insurance card with you when you go to the hospital in Germany.
Types of health insurance in Germany
In Germany, there are two different types of health insurance: statutory health insurance and private health insurance.
Statutory Health Insurance
This type of insurance, known as Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV for short), is translated into Turkish as Statutory Health Insurance. This type of insurance is fully publicly funded and is similar to the general health insurance in Turkey.
The costs covered by the statutory insurance are detailed in the official GKV service catalogue. With this insurance, everyone living in Germany can benefit from health care, regardless of their income.
Employees in Germany pay a portion of their gross monthly income to the state in the form of a GKV contribution. Likewise, employers are also obliged to make a contribution per employee each month.
Private Health Insurance
Persons whose gross income exceeds the limit of compulsory health insurance may also have private health insurance.
There are a wide range of options for foreign nationals who wish to take out private health insurance. There are also different insurance packages offered according to the needs of the person and the duration of their stay in Germany. The premium to be paid for private health insurance; It is determined according to the scope of the package, not according to the income of the person. Most private health insurance is only valid in Germany.
Some insurance companies allow you to determine the scope of your private health insurance. If you have private health insurance, you pay higher premiums than with statutory health insurance, but you can receive preferential treatment at hospitals.
This content is provided solely for general informational purposes and does not encompass all details. Maxi Digital GmbH disclaims any responsibility for ensuring the currency and accuracy of the content. It is recommended to refer to official sources for the most current and reliable information.
