Can An Eu Citizen Get German Health Insurance?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The European Card (EHIC) is a card that gives you access to state-provided healthcare during your visit in one of the 28 EU countries (including Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). This means that you will be entitled to medical assistance under the same conditions as the residents of that country.

Do EU citizens need health insurance in Germany?


Yes, it is compulsory for every resident in Germany to be covered by healthcare insurance

. As well as public and private healthcare, health insurance coverage for EU citizens living in Germany for the short term can come in the form of an EHIC (European Healthcare Insurance Card) issued from an applicable EU country.

Do EU citizens get free healthcare in any EU country?


The European Health Insurance Card cost is completely free and gives access to healthcare in all EEA/ EU countries, plus Switzerland and the UK

.

Who is eligible for public health insurance in Germany?


All salaried workers in Germany, whose gross monthly income is less than 5,213 EUR (5,800 USD) and whose annual income is less than 62,550 EUR (69,600 USD)

as of 2020, must have public health insurance, also known as gesetzliche krankenversicherung (or GKV).

How do I get health insurance in Germany without a job?

The German public health insurance must accept you as a member – even if you are not employed in Germany. If you are registered in Germany as unemployed, you can

apply for public health insurance at AOK

. If you're not from one of these countries and you don't have a job, then you need to get private health insurance.

Does everyone in Germany have health insurance?


All residents of Germany are required by law to have health insurance

. About 87% of the population – around 70 million people – have statutory health insurance. You can find answers to some of the most common questions about health insurance costs, benefits and guiding principles here.

What happens if I don't pay health insurance in Germany?

If you fall behind on your monthly premiums,

the insurance companies can no longer cancel your contract

. You remain insured (albeit for emergencies only)) according to the German statistical office, there are still well over Protected content in Germany roaming around without health insurance…

How do I get health insurance in Germany?

You have three options for health insurance while living in Germany: the government-regulated public health insurance scheme (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung – GKV), private health insurance from a German or international insurance company (PKV) or a combination of GKV and supplemental PKV.

How much does EHIC cost?

A UK GHIC and new UK EHIC are

free of charge

. Beware of unofficial websites, they may charge you a fee to apply. Before going abroad, make sure you check the latest COVID-19 travel guidance on GOV.UK.

Is EHIC valid after Brexit?

Is my EHIC still valid after Brexit?

Yes, you can still use a UK-issued EHIC after Brexit

. So if you already have an EHIC and you're going on a temporary visit to an EU country – perhaps for a holiday, to study or for work – you can use it to access state healthcare until it expires.

How long is EHIC valid after Brexit?

Since 1 January 2021, the deal negotiated by the UK government allows those issued with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)

before the end of 2020

to continue to use it before its expiry date. If you're travelling to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, your EHIC is no longer valid.

Do EU citizens need health insurance in UK?

What you need to do. If you are visiting the UK from the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, you should:

have travel or health insurance that covers the duration of your trip

. bring your European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ) if you are eligible to continue using it in the UK.

Is healthcare free in Germany for non citizens?

Yes,

all German citizens and legal residents are required by law to have health insurance

. Everyone, regardless of their income, has healthcare coverage and access to affordable medical care.

Is healthcare expensive in Germany?

The majority of people, even international students, will need to register for public healthcare insurance, however, some individuals are eligible to choose a private insurance plan.

The cost of healthcare coverage can range from 80 to 1,500 euros per month

, depending on your circumstances and insurance premium.

What kind of health insurance does Germany have?

Germany has what's called a

universal multi-payer health care system

. It encompasses both statutory health insurance for people who earn less than a certain salary, as well as private health insurance for those who earn more and choose to purchase their own.

Is German health care good?

Germany's health care system is often regarded as

one of the best health care systems in the world

, offering its population universal health insurance coverage and a comprehensive benefits basket with comparably low cost-sharing requirements.

Is TK health insurance public or private?

Is TK insurance private or public? Techniker Krankenkasse, known as TK, is a

public insurance fund

. It is one of the largest and most popular public healthcare insurers with over 8.8 million insurees and an excellent level of cover that includes online English support and dental hygiene cover.

What is the best health insurance company in Germany?


Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)

Ranked as Germany's Best Health Insurance Company for Students by Focus-Money Magazine. For the 14

th

time in a row, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) has been ranked as the best health insurance company in Germany by Focus-Money magazine, amongst 100 best insurance companies.

Is Germany healthcare better than us?

Although there are about 109 sickness funds, tight regulation gives the government a significant amount of control over prices, in a way that the US simply doesn't have.

In Commonwealth fund rankings, the German funds come in 8th place for overall healthcare system and 2nd in accessibility.

Can I stay in Germany without health insurance?

German health insurance is mandatory by law meaning that every resident must be medically insured.

No visa will be issued for internationals without sufficient health insurance coverage

and no residence permit will be allowed unless there is proof of sufficient medical coverage for the duration of the stay.

Can I go to the doctor without insurance in Germany?

In Germany,

you cannot see a doctor without first having health insurance

. In fact, it is illegal for German citizens to be uninsured. Therefore, practitioners will ask for upfront payments if a patient is uninsured. This legal requirement also applies to visitors to the country and non-German residents.

How is healthcare paid for in Germany?

Germany has a

universal multi-payer health care system paid for by a combination of statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) and private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung)

.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.