Overview
The Health Insurance System in Germany
Since 1 January 2009, every person in Germany is required to have health insurance. Even those who will only reside in Germany for a short time must be health insured, otherwise requests for visas will be denied.
Features of the German health insurance system
The organisation of the German health insurance system is characterised by the dual system of public health insurance (GKV) and private health insurance (PKV). While almost every applicant is eligible for public health insurance, different conditions apply for private health insurance.
EU citizens and nationals from countries with whom Germany has made social insurance agreements can stay in the health insurance of their home countries. Nevertheless, the insurance benefits in the respective countries could differ significantly from those in Germany, which in turn could make personal contributions or the purchase of supplemental insurance necessary.
Public health insurance and the solidarity principle
| Membership in the public insurance scheme is obligatory for some groups such as:
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Public health insurance is based on the principle of solidarity meaning that everyone insured pays the same percentage of his income for his or her premium. The current rate is 15.5 per cent, and determines the actual premium. The premium rate is deducted from wages and transferred to the health insurance company. Premiums are calculated up to the so-called premium threshold. Every publicly insured person receives medical care services, the scope of which is determined by the state. Moreover, insuring children and spouses free within a family insurance plan is only possible with statutory health insurance.
Individual private health insurance services
The following groups of people typically have private health insurance:
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Private health insurance is not available for everyone and is taken out by those who are not insured by statutory health insurance.
Private health insurance fees are based on income depending on state of health, age and the insurance tariff of the insured so that fees vary for individual insurance holders.
The scope of services from private insurance companies is not regulated by the state and is often more extensive than statutory insurance. Services can also be adapted for each policyholder individually. The insured person first pays all treatment costs. The insurance company will then reimburse the costs upon submission of the bill.
Supplemental insurance
Supplemental insurance policies serve to close gaps in health insurance. Conclusion of supplemental insurance occurs with a private insurance company - independent of income. Important types of supplemental insurance include for instance nursing care insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance and alternative practitioner insurance.