Health insurance is obligatory for anyone residing in Germany. With that obligation comes the right to choose your insurance provider. Finding the right insurance provider in Germany can be difficult for expats, so defining your needs is the first step.
The German healthcare system has a reputation as one of the best in the world. Modern technology, short waiting lists for treatment and a statutory health insurance scheme contribute to a stable and robust system.
Despite this, healthcare is never ‘free’ in Germany. Any care you receive, even in emergencies, has to be paid for by your insurer. If you are insured by a statutory provider, simply showing your insurance card will cover up to 100% of the costs, depending on the treatment you need. Equipping yourself with the right health insurance when moving to Germany should therefore be a high priority.
Depending on your salary, you may be able to choose between statutory and private health insurance. In some cases the private insurance may cost less in premiums, though the statutory insurance may compensate for this difference by covering 100% of costs, as mentioned above. Make sure you understand the differences between statutory and private health insurance before making your choice.
To understand the main differences between the two systems, you should bear in mind that state and private insurance work on completely different contribution models:
If you decide on a private insurer, make sure you are well aware of what they do and do not cover. A good starting point is to gather information about what you should look for in a health insurance plan . Make an estimate of your healthcare needs to avoid paying for cover you don’t need, or worse, paying out-of-pocket for something that isn’t included in your policy.
But what are the advantages/disadvantages of the two systems? There is no simple answer to this question, as it depends heavily on your personal circumstances. To help, we have listed below some of the advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages of statutory health insurance:
Disadvantages of statutory health insurance:
Advantages of private health insurance:
Disadvantages of private health insurance:
You and your family are entitled to the same level of healthcare throughout the European Union (EU) as that which you receive in Germany. This is provided through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which all residents of Germany are eligible for.
When you are traveling to non-EU countries, you will not be covered by statutory German health insurance. In such cases, supplementary travel insurance is highly recommended.
If you are a frequent traveler or are planning on moving abroad again in the future, an international health insurance plan is also a sensible option.
For many expats, one of the most essential aspects of any insurance policy is the customer service provided. Clear communication and transparency help to ease anxieties about any hidden or additional costs, while a well-implemented customer service makes dealing with healthcare issues and insurance claims simple.
Finding high-quality customer service in English isn’t easy in Germany. Health insurers like SBK provide each expat a personal English speaking personal consultant , who acts as a direct point of contact for any questions you have, be it about a stay in hospital, going abroad or family insurance. As for the most part, the contribution and the benefits of the insurers are comparable, it’s important to ensure you receive the best possible service.