According to German law, foreigners entering the country are required to have an appropriate insurance policy. However, different categories of citizens have different requirements. Find out when and what kind of insurance is required to enter Germany

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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According to German legislation, traveling to the country requires compliance with the requirements for the visa procedure and the issuance of an appropriate health insurance policy. When planning your trip to the country, find out what type of visa you need to get to enter the country and what the insurance requirements are. By following these rules, you can easily visit Germany. 

Is it necessary to take out an insurance policy before traveling to Germany?

According to the law, all residents of Germany must have health insurance. Also, foreigners need to take out an appropriate insurance policy to obtain a visa. Similarly, in order to obtain a residence permit, it is necessary to provide proof of adequate health insurance for the entire period of stay. Therefore, when preparing to travel or move, it is very important to find out about the requirements for travel, private and public health insurance in Germany.

What requirements should the insurance policy meet depending on the visa category that the traveler is applying for?

Germany offers different visa categories depending on the purpose of your visit. Each type of visa has its own eligibility criteria, application procedure and insurance requirements: 

Tourist visas

Travel insurance is included in the list of mandatory documents when obtaining a visa. 

Before you travel, check the insurance requirements of the specific embassy you are going to visit for your visa. However, in most cases, your health insurance policy must meet the following requirements:

- Minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.

- The territory of distribution is not only Germany, but also all countries of the Schengen zone.

- Additionally cover medical expenses related to repatriation for medical reasons, emergency medical care or death.

Student visas

Foreign students are also required to take out a health insurance policy before traveling to Germany. Of course, most students at higher education institutions have the right to apply for student state health insurance, but those coming for preparatory courses, language courses, graduate students, students over 30 years old, as well as visiting scholars, should take care of a private health insurance policy before moving. 

Employment in Germany and health insurance requirements

  When considering the possibility of employment in Germany, consider that expats have several visa options adapted to different situations:

- Work visa - foreigners who have a job offer from a German employer receive it. The permit is issued specifically for your position and requires confirmation of qualifications. 

- Freelance visa – created for self-employed persons and suitable for independent work in Germany. It is usually awarded to expats who can provide their own business plan or support themselves while living in Germany.  

- Job seeker visa - suitable for those who intend to find employment in Germany, but there is no specific offer from a German employer yet. Note that the visa provides a limited period to look for a job and receive an offer from an employer.

Health insurance for a work visa in Germany

Obtaining a work visa and residence permit depends on providing proof of health insurance. Applicants for any D visa must have health insurance. 

Foreign health insurance is a type of private health insurance. This is a temporary solution for people moving to Germany. It has much better coverage than travel insurance. In particular, it covers more diseases, often covers dental care and has a longer validity period. 

When you start working in Germany, you must switch to public or private health insurance:

- All foreign workers whose annual income is below 66,000 euros are required to obtain a state health insurance policy.   Its cost is 14.6% of the wage level. The employer covers half of this amount. 

- If your salary is higher or you are self-employed, you can consider private health insurance policies in Germany.  

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Refugees under the temporary protection program

Ukrainians moving to Germany under the temporary protection program are not required to have insurance to enter the country. However, this document is highly desirable. 

Of course, refugees who have arrived in Germany receive medical assistance as part of the protection, which will give you the opportunity to visit doctors for free. However, the first time after arrival, in particular during the registration of documents and medical insurance, it is better to be sure that in the event of an emergency or illness, you will be able to receive guaranteed assistance in a language you understand. Also, considering the high cost of medical services in Germany, an insurance policy can save you a lot of money in case of illness. Therefore, we advise you to purchase a travel insurance policy before your trip.

Health care system in Germany: 5 facts you should know before traveling

1. Germany has a public health insurance plan that covers 92% of the population. The other 7.5% are covered either by employers or by private insurance companies whose use is regulated by the government. Only 0.5% of the population do not have a policy.

2. All over Germany there are public hospitals, private non-profit hospitals and private commercial hospitals. Of these, there are two categories: general hospitals and psychiatric hospitals.

3. Patients can expect to receive high-quality medical care in any corner of Germany.

4. Most often, patients receive all the necessary medical care from a therapist at the initial appointment. If the patient has complications or if consultation with a specialized specialist is needed, the therapist will issue an appropriate referral. 

5. In most cases, to receive a doctor's consultation, you need to make an appointment. This can be done over the phone or online.

Where to buy a health insurance policy for travel to Germany?

For the safest trips, you should buy insurance policies only from verified agents. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can purchase reliable insurance that has many advantages: packages for entry to any country in the world, guarantee of payments, online payment. A reliable policy in your mail in just a few minutes.

Just choose the most suitable options for the specifics of your trip, travel safely and save money at the same time.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Darya Rogova is the head of the Visit Ukraine insurance department

To safely move, travel or find employment in a new country, you will need travel insurance. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

Do you have additional questions? Contact the Visit Ukraine hotline (Telegram | WhatsApp).

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