Working and Researching in Heidelberg Health Insurance
In Germany it is mandatory for every person to have health insurance. Therefore, all applicants for a residence permit are required to demonstrate adequate health insurance coverage before receiving such a permit for Germany. The coverage must include medical treatment in the case of acute illness and accidents.
Before coming to Germany, we recommend to obtain a written confirmation from your current health insurance provider that your health insurance coverage is also valid for the planned stay in Germany. If your health insurance in your home country will not cover you while in Germany, you will need either to take out additional coverage in your home country or obtain coverage in Germany.
In Germany there is both state-regulated and private health insurance. Which kind of insurance suits your needs depends on the duration of your stay and the type of financing your stay.
Duration of stay
Stays up to three months
If you enter Germany on a Schengen visa as a non-EU citizen for a short stay (max 90 days), generally travel health insurance with coverage of at least 30 000 Euro is required for all Schengen countries.
If you come from an EU country and will be in Germany only temporarily, you simply need the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card makes you eligible to use the public health system (doctors, pharmacies, hospitals, emergency rooms) and covers medical treatment for acute illness and accidents (only necessary medical treatment is covered). If you have pre-existing conditions or illnesses, you should make sure to obtain the necessary medications in your home country. The European Health Insurance Card does not cover trips taken with the purpose of obtaining medical treatment abroad.
Stays for longer period over three months
For longer stays, the health insurance benefits must correspond to the German statutory health insurance.
Type of Funding
Fellowship holders or self-financing visitors
In Germany fellowship holders or self-financing visitors normally have to obtain private health insurance.
Since March 01, 2024 as a third-country national with a residence permit as a researcher (§18d German Residence Act) you can also take out German state-regulated health insurance on a voluntary basis. The application must be submitted to the health insurance company within the first three months after entering Germany. The Welcome Centre will be happy to advise you.
Exception for citizen from EU, EWR or Switzerland in the case of sufficient insurance coverage at home
If you have state-regulated health insurance in your home country, you might remain insured with your home country insurance during your stay in Germany. In order to do this, you must stay registered with your health insurance company and continue to pay the premiums. Please find out in advance which medical services your health insurance company will cover and have your company confirm this in writing for you.
It might also be possible to obtain health insurance from a German state-regulated health insurance company if you can demonstrate that you have had state-regulated health insurance in your home country for an adequate amount of time. Please inquire at your home health insurance company.
Researchers with employment contract in Germany
As an employee, for example with an employment contract with the University, with a regular gross income of more than 538 Euro (2024), you will automatically receive state-regulated health insurance. This type of insurance is mandatory unless your income exceeds a prescribed limit. Only if your regular yearly income is above the valid health insurance obligation limit (in 2024 this is 69.300 Euro) do you have so-called freedom of insurance and can choose among private health insurance or voluntary state-regulated health insurance.
State-Regulated Health Insurance
State-regulated insurance provides all holders, regardless of age, gender, state of health and income, legally regulated services - it insures the holder and his/her family in the case of sickness and pays for the necessary medical assistance. The contribution rate for health insurance is made up of two components: 1) a universal, fixed component of 14.6% of your gross income and 2) an additional component that is set at regular intervals by every state-regulated health insurance provider individually according to their financial situation. The fixed component and the additional component is paid half by the employee and half by the employer. The total contribution rate is, on average, 16,3% (2024) of the employee's gross income.
State-regulated health insurance also includes premium-free family insurance. This insures the holders’ spouses or official partners and children (up to a certain age limit). The prerequisites to be eligible for family insurance is that the income of the spouses/partners and children does not exceed 505 Euro per month (2024) and that they are not insured themselves. The permissible total income for marginal employment is 538 Euro.
The various insurance providers differ in customer service, additional component, additional premiums and services and the voluntary plans offered. Therefore it is recommended to compare several insurance providers before making a final decision.
Private Health Insurance
In contrast to state-regulated health insurance providers, private insurance providers can pick and choose their members. The insurance benefits provided by private insurance companies are not regulated by the state and they vary greatly according to provider and plan. The premiums paid by the insurance holder are calculated according to age, gender, state of health and the desired benefits or the plan chosen. Family members are not automatically included in a plan, as in state-regulated insurance, but must be insured individually.
Private insurance functions according to the patient-pays principle. This means that the insurance holder must pay all bills for medical services up front and then must apply to the insurance provider for reimbursement.