Health insurance residence permit
All information about the health insurance required for a residence permit.
Here you learn ...
which health insurance counts when applying for a residence permit
which requirements health insurance companies must meet
what expat and incoming insurance is
in which cases travel health insurance is sufficient
Table of Content
1. Health insurance for residence permits
2. Which health insurance does the immigration office accept?
3. Expat and incoming insurance
4. Health insurance upon entry
5. Conclusion Health insurance Residence permit
1. Health insurance for residence permits
Anyone wishing to apply for a residence permit in Germany must prove that they have adequate health insurance . Choosing the right health insurance for foreigners is not just an organizational matter, but a mandatory legal requirement for the issuance of a residence permit. According to Section 5, Paragraph 1, No. 1 of the Residence Act (AufenthG), a residence permit may generally only be granted if a person's livelihood is secure. Health insurance coverage is an essential component of this security. For this reason, the immigration authorities require proof of existing or imminent health insurance upon application.
When it comes to health insurance, it doesn't matter whether it's statutory or private – what matters is that it meets the minimum legal requirements and is fully covered throughout the entire period of your stay. Particular attention is required for students, self-employed individuals, or newly arriving employees, as it's often initially unclear which type of insurance is considered sufficient.
2. Which health insurance does the immigration office accept?
When choosing a health insurance policy, it is essential to ensure that it is recognized by the responsible immigration authorities . According to Section 5, Paragraph 1, No. 1 of the Residence Act, foreign nationals must provide evidence of "adequate" health insurance coverage to obtain a residence permit. What is considered "adequate" depends not only on the scope of coverage, but also on the requirements of German administrative practice. Many private health insurance policies designed specifically for foreign students, language students, or those with short-term residence permits are often not comprehensive enough, for example, because they offer insufficient reimbursement, exclude certain medical conditions, or have contract terms that are too short. The consequence: The immigration authorities may deny the residence permit.
If the foreigner is insured under a statutory health insurance scheme, they have sufficient health insurance coverage ( Section 2, Paragraph 3, Sentence 3 of the Residence Act ). The health insurance must therefore always cover at least the scope of benefits provided by statutory health insurance (so-called "substitutive" health insurance ). If you take out private health insurance, you must ensure that it offers at least the same benefits as statutory health insurance. Reputable health insurance companies will usually provide proof of this. In a corresponding letter, the health insurance company will then confirm that the scope of the insurance benefits is at least equivalent to (or more extensive than) those provided by statutory health insurance.
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3. Expat and incoming insurance
Anyone living or working in Germany long-term requires comprehensive health insurance – whether as part of a permanent position or for family reunification. International professionals often opt for so-called expat insurance or incoming insurance . But be careful: These insurance models are not sufficient for permanent residence or employment in Germany.
Expat insurance and incoming insurance are primarily aimed at people who are temporarily staying in Germany (e.g., tourists). They offer limited insurance coverage, usually for a limited period of time and at a low cost. However, the scope of benefits is significantly limited and does not correspond to the level of statutory health insurance (GKV).
Typical limitations of expat insurance are:
No or limited coverage of costs for psychotherapeutic treatments
Limited reimbursements for dentures, vision aids or pregnancy
No coverage for pre-existing conditions
Often limited to 1 to 5 years
If you attempt to apply for a long-term residence permit with expat or incoming insurance, the authorities will reject your application due to a lack of health insurance coverage.
4. Health insurance upon entry
Anyone applying for a long-term visa for Germany will often encounter health insurance requirements during the application process. There is often uncertainty about the specific need for expat insurance, incoming insurance, or travel insurance. It is important to know: These types of insurance only play a minor role in the visa process – and only for the period between entry and the start of work . For example, if your employment contract in Germany begins on the 1st of a month, but you arrive a week earlier, your statutory health insurance usually only begins on your first day of work. You may therefore need temporary cover for the period before you start work, such as expat or incoming insurance.
However, taking out expat or incoming insurance is not mandatory . Many statutory health insurance providers, such as Techniker Krankenkasse, allow online registration before entering the country. After successful completion, you will receive an insurance certificate stating that insurance coverage is effective from the start of your employment. This certificate is generally sufficient for most German diplomatic missions abroad, so additional travel insurance is often unnecessary. You can usually find out whether or not you need incoming insurance to apply for a visa on the respective embassy's website.
Summary of this Page
Adequate health insurance coverage is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a residence permit in Germany (Section 5, Paragraph 1, No. 1 of the Residence Act). Only insurance policies that meet the minimum legal requirements are recognized. Expat and incoming insurance policies only partially meet these requirements and are generally not sufficient for permanent residence or employment. Temporary insurance may be useful for the period between entry and the start of employment. It is always crucial that insurance coverage is fully documented and meets the requirements of the immigration authorities.
