In Germany, there is a general obligation to have health insurance. This means: Every person residing in Germany must have adequate health insurance coverage. Corresponding proof is already necessary in the visa procedure. Which type of health insurance is accepted depends on the respective visa type as well as the requirements of the competent German diplomatic mission.
Requirements by visa type
The requirements for health insurance differ depending on whether a Schengen visa for short stays or a national visa for longer-term stays is applied for.
Health insurance for a Schengen visa
For short stays of up to 90 days, travel health insurance is sufficient. This must meet the following requirements:
- Minimum coverage of 30,000 euros
- Validity for the entire Schengen area and the entire duration of stay
- Cost coverage for emergency medical treatment, hospital stays, and repatriation in case of illness or death
- Carrying proof of insurance upon entry
For a visa for multiple entries, valid travel health insurance must be presented for the first trip. For each additional stay in the Schengen area, new insurance must be taken out.
Health insurance for a national visa
For longer-term stays exceeding 90 days, different requirements apply than for short-term stays. Private health insurance is required, that should cover the following areas:
- Preventive examinations and early detection of diseases
- Medical treatment (outpatient and inpatient treatments)
The insurance contract must be active during the entire time of stay and may not contain clauses that lead to termination of insurance upon reaching a certain age, giving up an activity, changing the purpose of stay, or loss of residence status. The visa can only be issued from the date for which adequate health insurance coverage is proven.
For family reunification, proof can be provided through confirmation from the health insurance that the reunifying person will be included in the family insurance.
Upon taking up employment, insurance coverage can be proven through confirmation that insurance coverage exists from the start of the employment contract.
What is an incoming insurance?
Incoming insurance policies are special health insurance policies for foreign visitors that apply to longer stays in Germany and meet the requirements for national visas. Unlike regular travel health insurance, they do not contain dissolving conditions for long-term stays. They can generally be taken out for periods between several months and up to two years.
Incoming insurance policies offer a scope of benefits comparable to statutory health insurance and can be taken out before or shortly after entry. They serve as a transitional solution until admission to statutory or private health insurance after starting work in Germany.
Proof of health insurance
Proof of health insurance must be submitted in the visa procedure. The exact timing depends on the competent embassy. Some embassies require proof already at the time of application, others only after approval of the application.
Required documents
As proof, an insurance confirmation or insurance certificate generally serves, from which it is evident that the insurance meets the required conditions. For private health insurance, the document must show the insurance start date, the coverage amount, and the scope of benefits. For confirmation from statutory or private health insurance in Germany, the letter must explicitly confirm that admission takes place unconditionally from the day of entry. Some embassies also require advance payment of insurance premiums for several months. The specific requirements should be verified with the competent German diplomatic mission before submitting the application.
Important notes
The requirements for health insurance can vary between different German diplomatic missions. It is recommended to check the specific requirements of the competent embassy in advance on its website or to inquire directly. The visa can only be issued from the date for which adequate health insurance coverage is proven. Timely clarification of the insurance question is therefore crucial for a smooth visa procedure. Simple travel health insurance is not sufficient for national visas. The European Health Insurance Card of another EU member state is also not recognized as adequate proof.
After entry and taking up employment in Germany, a change to statutory or private health insurance is usually necessary.
