Compulsory Medical Insurance, also known as Compulsory Health Insurance, also known as Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV), Krankenversicherung, o Statutory health insurance.
If you are planning to live and work in Germany, public health insurance is a mandatory requirement.
In this article, we explain everything you need to know to sign up, how to use the insurance, and more.
What are the most popular compulsory insurances?
- The best known insurances are Barmer, TK and AOK.
- We recommend Barmer as at the moment it is the only one that allows you to "pause" the insurance in case you have a Work&Holiday visa and you are not working. Unlike other insurances that will ask you to pay for those days when you are not working.
What do I need to register for compulsory insurance?
- Passport or identity card (to verify your identity).
- Address in Germany (may be temporary, but is required for registration).
- Employment contract or company details where you are going to work (name and address of the company) -> this point is not mandatory if you join Barmer. We will explain the step by step below.
What is the cost of the German Compulsory Insurance?
- Public health insurance in Germany has a fixed cost stipulated by law and is deducted monthly from your salary. The percentages are as follows:
-
- 17,05%Health insurance
(half is paid by your employer, so you will only be deducted 7.3%). - 1,8%Care insurance
- 1,3%Unemployment insurance
- 9,3%: Pension
- 17,05%Health insurance
Can I use my travel insurance to work in Germany?
NO, travel insurance is not valid for work in Germany.
If you are planning to work, you need adequate health insurance, such as the Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV) (public insurance) or a Private Krankenversicherung (PKV) (private insurance).
Travel insurance only covers temporary emergencies and does not meet the legal requirements for employees.
Before starting work, you must register with a German health insurance company in order to comply with the regulations.
