Health Insurance
In Germany you are required to have valid health insurance. You must have it from the day you arrive. Insurance from abroad is only sufficient in a few exceptional cases. Here you can find information on what kind of health insurance you need.
For example, you will have to prove that you hold health insurance valid for Germany when applying for a visa, signing an employment contract, enrolling as a doctoral student or being issued a residence permit. Foreign insurance is only adequate in a few exceptional cases, and very often only insurance from German insurance companies will be accepted.
Germany has both private and statutory health insurance. Whether you are able to obtain private or statutory health insurance generally depends on whether you are employed in Germany or are being funded from elsewhere (e.g. via a scholarship, funding from your home university, own funds).
Research Assistants
Scholarship Funded or Private Funding
Professors
Insurance is not required
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Travel health insurance is sufficient for short stays of up to 90 days. This must be valid in all Schengen countries and have a coverage level of at least €30,000.
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As EU citizens: Particularly if you are not employed in Germany and are still paying health insurance contributions in your home country, your insurance will often be recognised in Germany. If you are visiting Germany for a brief stay, ask your health insurance scheme in your home country for a European Health Insurance Card. However, this will only cover emergencies. For additional coverage, ask your health insurance scheme in your native country for a European S1 form. You can find information on specific conditions for EU citizens on the independent information platform: www.eu-patienten.de
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Here you can find more information about the EHIC European Health Insurance Card: www.schengenvisainfo.com/europe-travel-insurance/ehic/
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Individuals from non-EU countries whose insurance in their home country also covers insurance claims in Germany: For your health insurance to be recognised in Germany, you must demonstrate that your health insurance scheme offers the same protection as German statutory health insurance. This is very difficult and often impossible to prove. Do not rely on this rule. If in doubt, we recommend that you obtain additional insurance from a German insurance company.
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