Quick Answer
- What it is:
- Health Insurance Registration — a healthcare procedure in Germany.
- Deadline:
- No strict deadline
- Steps:
- 5 steps
- Cost:
- Free
- Documents:
- 5 required
- Legal basis:
- SGB V §5
Important Deadlines
Must have health insurance from day 1 of employment
Must register within 2 weeks of starting employment
Employer may face fines; retroactive premiums charged
Required Documents
- ✓Valid passport or ID
- ✓Employment contract or proof of income
- ✓Meldebestätigung (proof of address registration)
- ✓Previous insurance certificate (if switching providers)
- ✓Residence permit (for non-EU citizens)
Step-by-Step Guide
Choose between public (gesetzliche) and private (private) health insurance.
Pro tip: If your annual gross salary is below EUR 69,300 (2024 threshold), you MUST have public insurance. Above that or if self-employed, you can choose private.
For public: compare providers (TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK, etc.) — base rate is identical (~14.6% + supplementary), but service differs.
Pro tip: TK and Barmer are popular among expats for English-language service.
Apply online or at a branch office. You'll need your employment contract and passport.
Receive your insurance card (Versicherungskarte) within 2-3 weeks. You can visit doctors immediately with a provisional certificate.
Register family members for free co-insurance (Familienversicherung) if applicable.
Fees
Legal Basis
Also Known As
This procedure is commonly searched under these names:
Official Resources
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