In Germany, health care quality is very high and waiting times to consult specialists or undergo surgery are very rare. Patients can choose their own GP and do not need any intermediary to consult a specialist. Health care costs however are rather expensive and coverage by health care funds is only partial.
Health care coverage is provided by both public and private health funds. Depending on your situation, you can either choose a public or private health coverage: if your annual gross income is below €48,150, you will need to register with one of the public health funds ("Pflichtmitgliedschaft"). You can choose your own public health fund among a wide range of approved providers. The contribution will be deducted from your monthly salary. For some special care (eye and dental care), public health funds do not provide optimal protection. You can then take out supplementary private health insurance to get a full coverage.
If your gross annual income is above €48,150, if you are self-employed or unemployed, you may opt for a private health fund. Benefits are almost similar to that of the public system with a most comprehensive coverage offor dental and eye care. Note that with a private health fund, you can adjust your level of coverage and your monthly contributions based on your own health care needs (if you are young, if you do not suffer from chronic diseases, etc..).
If you're traveling to Germany, you need to take out a private health insurance before departure. An optimal coverage is essential due to expensive health care costs that might arise from accident or serious illness.
EU citizens are covered in Germany through their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). With the EHIC, health related costs in the country will be taken in charge in the same conditions as for German nationals. If you don't have an EHIC, visit your national health fund to get some information before leaving for Germany.
If you need a private health insurance (as required in the framework of the working holiday visa), please use our free advice and quotation service!
Emergency Numbers in Germany:
112 - Medical, fire emergency.
110 - traffic accidents, police.
Useful links:
gesetzliche Krankenkassen - Public health fund
European Health Insurance Card
 Add a note |
 |
 Send to a friend |
|
You may contribute notes to this article by adding comments in the form below. The note will appear under the article after review.
User notes may be edited or deleted. Please note that the expat blog team goes through the notes and may incorporate information from them into the article.
Join the community and participate!
Choose an expatriate health insurance Germany. Free advice and quotation service.
A few tips about movers in Germany.
Ask your questions to expatriates in Germany on the Germany forum.
Make contacts in Germany with the expat network Germany.
Expats' advice: how to work in Germany and how to find an accomodation in Germany.
Find out more about living in Germany with the Germany blogs.
Have a look to the Germany pictures.
CD Supper Club Berliner Blag 
Christel's blog Hillstoph Sense of Place Expatriatus Scale Invariant The Move-Getting started in Germany 
A Finn in Berlin 
Expat Newlyweds
