Which insurance policies are important for people coming to Germany?

Anyone coming to Germany should address the topic of insurance at an early stage. The most important one is clearly health insurance. In Germany, insurance coverage is generally mandatory. Health insurance also includes long-term care insurance: in the statutory health insurance system, it is included automatically, while privately insured persons must additionally take out private compulsory long-term care insurance.

1. Health insurance is the most important insurance

Without adequate health insurance coverage, it is hardly possible to plan a longer stay in Germany in a meaningful way. In many cases, proof of such coverage is already required during the visa process. For the first few days or weeks, international health insurance may be useful in some situations, but for the long term it should always be checked which type of coverage truly fits the purpose of the stay.

2. For employees, statutory health insurance is usually the standard option

Most employees in Germany are covered by statutory health insurance. Anyone employed and earning below the compulsory insurance threshold is generally insured under the statutory health insurance system (GKV). A switch to private health insurance usually comes into consideration only for certain groups, such as the self-employed, civil servants, and employees whose income exceeds the annual earnings threshold. In 2026, this threshold is 77,400 euros gross per year.

3. For students, statutory health insurance is often the most practical solution

For students, statutory health insurance is often the standard route. After family insurance ends, students are generally subject to mandatory insurance up to the age of 30. This is why GKV is, for many international students, the most practical and legally straightforward solution. Private models may be possible in individual cases, but they should always be reviewed very carefully.

4. Self-employed persons and freelancers should plan especially carefully

Anyone intending to work as a freelancer or self-employed person in Germany should not leave the issue of health insurance until after arrival. Especially for the self-employed, choosing the right insurance is very important, because it affects not only ongoing premiums but also future switching options. For the self-employment visa, the official portal Make it in Germany expressly points out that a new health insurance policy must be taken out in Germany after arrival.

5. Temporary expat or incoming insurance can be useful – but not in every case

For certain groups of people, there are temporary international health insurance policies that go beyond simple short-term travel insurance. Examples include plans such as Expat Germany from BDAE or travel insurance for up to 5 years from HanseMerkur. Both products are expressly intended for temporary stays in Germany and, depending on the tariff, can run for up to five years. HanseMerkur is aimed at foreign guests who are staying in Germany only temporarily and are not subject to statutory health and long-term care insurance obligations; BDAE also describes Expat Germany as a solution for temporary stays of up to five years.

Such plans can make sense in individual cases, for example during temporary stays or transition periods. However, they should not automatically be regarded as equivalent to long-term suitable health insurance in Germany. For this reason, it should always be checked whether the specific insurance coverage is actually sufficient for the respective purpose of stay, the visa, or the later residence permit.

6. The decision between GKV and PKV should be made with a long-term perspective

A particularly important issue is the later return to statutory health insurance. Anyone who initially opts for private insurance often cannot easily switch back to GKV later. Strict legal hurdles apply, especially from the age of 55 onward. Therefore, the decision for or against private health insurance should never be based only on the current premium, but always on long-term life planning in Germany.

7. After health insurance, private liability insurance is usually the most important voluntary protection

After health insurance, private liability insurance is the most important additional insurance for many people. It is not legally required, but it is highly recommended. It applies when you cause damage to another person or to someone else’s property. Especially for people who are new in Germany, it is often a sensible and comparatively affordable form of protection.

Conclusion

Anyone coming to Germany should address their health insurance early and carefully. For employees, statutory health insurance is usually the standard option, and often the same applies to students. Self-employed persons, freelancers, and other special groups need to examine more closely which solution fits their purpose of stay. Temporary expat or incoming plans may be useful in individual cases, but they do not automatically replace long-term suitable coverage in Germany. Precisely because switching later can be difficult, the decision should always be made with the next several years in mind.