Traveling or moving to Germany as an Expat, Student or Tourist? Learn more about German health care system and how the right health insurance can help you pursue your dreams in Germany.

The German health care system specifies that every person in Germany is required to have a health insurance. Even those who will stay in Germany for a short time must be health insured, otherwise requests for visas will not be granted.

There are different types of health insurance that you should get before traveling to Germany and a few others that you can get after you arrive in Germany.

Travel insurance for foreign visitors/tourists in Germany

The right travel insurance for Germany (Schengen) visa application

Whether you’re planning to go sightseeing, visit relatives, attend a business conference, or backpack through Europe, you might need to first check what you need in order to enter the country you are visiting. Before planning your exploratory trip to Germany or Europe, the first step you need to take is check whether you need a Schengen Visa. If you do, then you have to follow every tip and direction to file the necessary documents and obtain it.

The Schengen visa will allow you to visit Europe for what is defined as a “short stay”. This means that you can go to 26 European countries for up to 90 days. This is enough for anyone who wants to explore or is on a business or touristic trip. However, one of the requirements to obtain the Schengen Visa is to have proper health insurance in Germany. The travel insurance for Germany will most certainly not get you immediately rejected from getting the Schengen Visa if you are planning to visit the country.

The German embassy or consulate in your country specify that medical insurance is compulsory for all foreigners visiting the country and also requires your health insurance provides minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical treatment.

The travel insurance for Germany will most certainly cover any and all medical emergencies or accidents that you might have and getting it is easy and affordable.

If you need a travel insurance for the purpose of getting a Schengen visa, MAWISTA Visum by ALLIANZ is the perfect choice for you. This insurance is designed for tourists and business travelers. In case your visa has been refused, you can cancel it for free of charge.

Health insurance for international students in Germany

If you have finally fulfilled your dream of studying in Germany as an international student, one of the requirements is getting a student health insurance.

The health insurance for foreign students in Germany will get you the final permission and clearance from the university of your choice to start your studies there and will cover all your medical expenses. You can focus on your studies and not worry whether you will get sick the next flu season since you won’t have to pay for your medical bills.

There are two possible health insurance plans for international students in Germany:

• the compulsory/public health insurance and
• private health insurance.

Most of foreign students in Germany are required to hold statutory health insurance (public health insurance). Exceptions from the statutory health insurance requirement include:

• guest scientists,
• post-graduate students,
• scholarship holders (without an employment contract),
• college students,
• participants in language courses,
• students age 30 or above, and
• those who have been studying in Germany for more than 14 semesters.

If you fall into one of these categories, then you need to take a private health insurance.

With so many international students in Germany, student health insurance companies can be found everywhere. It is also possible to use the health insurance from your home country, if available. If you are from a country in the European Union, you will need your European health insurance card and through that your insurance will be recognized by institutions in Germany too. However, if you choose to obtain health insurance from a company in Germany, you should be careful and read the fine print in their contracts and protect yourself from being trapped into an expensive and low quality insurance.

There are great companies which target students and meet their needs. Companies such as Mawista have been in the industry for many years and are preferred by foreign students. Not only are they affordable, but their tailored student packages such as the Tariff Mawista Student Classic are favorites amongst international students in Germany.

Without proof of health insurance (public or private), enrollment at a German university is not possible.

Health insurance for language course/preparatory course students

If you are only planning to study or work in Germany, so you have enrolled in a preparatory language course, you will not be allowed to attend it without being equipped with a health insurance or medical insurance plan.

In this case statutory or public health insurance is not allowed, so you will be required to obtain a private health insurance in Germany such as the one here!

This type of health insurance will guarantee that you will be covered for the entire duration of your preparatory or language courses and will not have to worry about feeling unhealthy. This type of insurance is relatively inexpensive with a basic monthly plan of only 33 euros/month.

Health insurance for Freelancers, Employees and Expatriates in Germany

Germany is not only a great place to visit or study in, it is also a place with world-class working conditions and offers great benefits to people working there. If you have found a job and will be moving to Germany, then a working health insurance is necessary. If you have not found a job yet, you can get the Blue Card which is similar to the U.S Green Card and be allowed to stay in Germany until you find a job. Nevertheless, it is always advisable to obtain working health insurance, which will cover you for up to 5 year and offer full coverage for any emergencies and accidents. This health insurance plan is heavily advised for expatriates.

If you are an expat, then a working health insurance must be purchased before you make any other commitments in Germany. The working insurance is also suitable for Germans traveling abroad, since you will be insured in any place you visit.