Health insurance in Germany for expats: Your essential checklist
If you’re moving to Germany, health insurance is mandatory. Whether you’re starting a job, applying for a visa, or relocating with your family, choosing the right health insurance is one of the most important steps for expats.
Germany’s system can be complex, but with the right guidance and a trusted statutory provider like SBK, getting insured is straightforward, secure, and fully compliant with German law.
How health insurance works in Germany
Employees in Germany are usually covered by the statutory social security system, with contributions shared between the employee and the employer. It includes:
- Statutory health insurance (GKV): doctor visits, hospital care, medicines, prevention
- Long-term care insurance: support if care is needed
- Accident insurance: work-related injuries and rehabilitation
- Unemployment insurance: financial support and job services
- Pension insurance: retirement and disability benefits
Contributions to these social insurances are automatically deducted from your salary.
Statutory vs. private health insurance in Germany
There are two types of health insurance in the German system: statutory (GKV) and private (PKV) insurance.
Statutory health insurance (GKV)
Here is what you need to know about GKV:
- Contributions based on income
- Coverage is independent of age or health
- Family members are often insured at no extra cost
- Comprehensive, legally guaranteed benefits
Private health insurance (PKV)
This is what you need to know about PKV:
- Premiums based on age, health, and benefits
- Separate contracts for family members
- Mostly recommended for the self-employed
For most expats planning to live and work in Germany, statutory health insurance is the safest and most reliable option.
When to get health insurance in Germany
You must have valid health insurance:
- Before applying for a visa
- Before starting employment
- Immediately after arrival, if entering visa-free
Delaying coverage can result in retroactive payments. With SBK, you can apply online and receive confirmation that meets all visa and employment requirements.
What SBK statutory health insurance covers in Germany
As an SBK member, you receive a health insurance card and access to healthcare without having to pay upfront. Coverage includes:
- GP and specialist visits
- Hospital treatment
- Prescribed medicines and therapies
- Preventive check-ups and screenings
Doctors and hospitals bill SBK directly, making things simple and transparent.
Health insurance for families in Germany
Non-working spouses and children are often insured free of charge under statutory family insurance.
If you are looking for health insurance for your family, SBK offers an English-speaking team that can support you with:
- Registering dependents
- Understanding eligibility
- Accessing care for your entire family
Why expats choose SBK
All statutory insurers offer the same medical core benefits, but SBK stands out for internationals:
- Lifetime English support
- Personal guidance through Germany’s healthcare system
- Digital services and apps for documents and communication
- Additional preventive and wellbeing benefits
SBK combines the security of statutory health insurance with the clarity expats need.
Final checklist for expats
- Understand health insurance requirements in Germany ✔
- Choose statutory or private coverage ✔
- Apply online for SBK health insurance ✔
- Secure coverage early to avoid back payments ✔
- Get reliable English-speaking support ✔
Health insurance is the foundation of your life in Germany. Start with SBK and arrive fully protected.