Compare All Kinds of Insurance in Germany
Compare healthcare plans, liability insurance and more with our partner Tarifcheck.
(Affiliate Links)The German Insurance System
Germany combines statutory social insurance with voluntary private coverage. Some policies are mandatory, some are arranged automatically through employment, and others are optional but highly recommended.
The Five Pillars of Social Security
Most regular employees are automatically enrolled through payroll. Contributions are generally shared between employer and employee, except statutory accident insurance, which is funded entirely by the employer.
Health Insurance
Medical treatment, hospital care, medication, vaccinations, and preventive care.
Long-Term Care Insurance
Support for home care, nursing services, and residential care.
Pension Insurance
Retirement pensions, reduced earning capacity pensions, and survivor benefits.
Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment benefits, retraining, and job placement support.
Accident Insurance
Workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and direct commuting accidents.
Mandatory Insurance in Germany
These insurance types are legally required for most residents, employees, or vehicle owners.
Health Insurance Krankenversicherung
Health insurance is mandatory for almost everyone in Germany. It covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, emergency treatment, vaccinations, pregnancy care, preventive examinations, and psychotherapy where statutory requirements are met.
Long-Term Care Insurance Pflegeversicherung
Long-term care insurance is linked to health insurance and provides support for home care, outpatient nursing services, nursing homes, and care allowances.
Pension Insurance Rentenversicherung
Regular employees automatically contribute to the statutory pension system. Contributions finance retirement pensions, reduced earning capacity pensions, and survivor pensions.
Unemployment Insurance Arbeitslosenversicherung
This insurance finances unemployment benefits, retraining, vocational programs, and job placement services. Eligibility depends on previous insured employment and other legal requirements.
Statutory Accident Insurance Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung
Statutory accident insurance covers workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and direct commuting accidents. Employees do not pay contributions because the employer funds it entirely.
Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung
This insurance is mandatory for vehicle owners and covers damage or injury caused to other people or their property. A vehicle cannot be registered without valid liability insurance.
Statutory vs. Private Health Insurance
Germany has two main health insurance systems: statutory health insurance and private health insurance.
Statutory Health Insurance (GKV)
- Contributions are based on income
- Employer and employee usually share the cost
- No medical examination required
- Family insurance may cover a non-working spouse and children
- Includes comprehensive statutory healthcare benefits
Private Health Insurance (PKV)
- Available to eligible employees, civil servants, and many self-employed people
- Premiums depend on age, health, and selected benefits
- Can offer faster specialist appointments and broader benefits
- Each family member generally needs a separate policy
- Returning to statutory insurance may be difficult
How employees join statutory health insurance
Employees generally choose a health insurance fund and give the details to their employer. The employer then registers them with health insurance, long-term care insurance, pension insurance, and unemployment insurance.
Highly Recommended Insurance
These policies are voluntary, but they can protect against major financial risks.
Personal Liability Insurance Private Haftpflichtversicherung · ★★★★★
Personal liability insurance covers justified claims if you accidentally injure someone or damage another person’s property. It also defends you against unjustified claims. Typical annual costs are often around €40 to €100.
Occupational Disability Insurance Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung · ★★★★★
This insurance pays a monthly benefit if illness or injury leaves you permanently unable to work in your profession. It is especially important for young professionals and people who depend heavily on their income.
Household Contents Insurance Hausratversicherung · ★★★★☆
This insurance protects furniture and personal belongings against risks such as fire, burst pipes, burglary, storms, and vandalism.
Legal Expenses Insurance Rechtsschutzversicherung · ★★★☆☆
Legal expenses insurance can cover lawyers’ fees, court costs, and other legal expenses in areas such as employment, tenancy, traffic, or private disputes.
Optional and Special Insurance
These policies may be useful depending on your housing situation, travel habits, income, family, or lifestyle.
International Travel Health Insurance Auslandsreisekrankenversicherung
Covers medical expenses abroad that German health insurance may not fully cover, including hospital treatment and medically necessary repatriation.
Supplemental Dental Insurance Zahnzusatzversicherung
Helps cover costs for dentures, implants, crowns, professional cleaning, and other dental treatments beyond statutory coverage.
Bicycle Insurance Fahrradversicherung
Protects bicycles and e-bikes against theft, accidents, vandalism, and certain repair costs, depending on the policy.
Mobile Phone Insurance Handyversicherung
Can cover theft, accidental damage, or technical faults. Whether it is worthwhile depends on the device value and policy conditions.
Rental Deposit Insurance Mietkautionsversicherung
Provides the landlord with a guarantee instead of a full cash deposit, but only if the landlord accepts this form of security.
Supplemental Long-Term Care Insurance Pflegezusatzversicherung
Helps cover additional care costs when statutory long-term care benefits are not sufficient.
Daily Sickness Benefit Insurance Krankentagegeldversicherung
Replaces part of your income during extended illness and is particularly relevant for self-employed people and higher-income employees.
Residential Building Insurance Wohngebäudeversicherung
Protects the building itself against damage caused by fire, burst pipes, storms, or hail. It is primarily relevant for homeowners.
Special Considerations for Foreigners
Health insurance is often essential for entering Germany, obtaining or extending a residence permit, and starting employment.
EU Citizens
EU citizens can generally live and work in Germany without a residence permit. Once employed, they are usually registered with the social security system by their employer.
Non-EU Citizens
Non-EU citizens often need proof of adequate health insurance for visa and residence permit purposes. The exact requirement depends on the residence status.
International Students
Many students qualify for statutory student health insurance, although different rules may apply to older students or special study programs.
Skilled Workers
Employees with a standard contract are generally registered automatically with health, pension, unemployment, and long-term care insurance.
Self-Employed Persons
Self-employed people must arrange and pay for their own health insurance. Depending on their situation, statutory or private insurance may be available.
Family Reunification
Spouses and children may qualify for free statutory family insurance if the principal insured person is in the statutory system and the legal conditions are met.
How Insurance Works for a Skilled Worker
Sign the Employment Contract
The employment relationship forms the basis for automatic social security registration.
Choose a Health Insurance Fund
Select a statutory health insurance provider or determine whether private insurance is available.
Employer Registration
Your employer registers you with the relevant social insurance institutions.
Automatic Payroll Deductions
Health, care, pension, and unemployment insurance contributions are deducted from gross salary.
Receive Your Documents
You receive a social security number and an electronic health insurance card.
FAQ About Insurance in Germany
Is health insurance mandatory in Germany?
Yes. Almost everyone living in Germany must have valid health insurance.
Does my employer arrange my social insurance?
For regular employment, the employer generally registers you with health, pension, unemployment, and long-term care insurance.
Can I choose my statutory health insurance fund?
Yes. Employees are generally free to choose among approved statutory health insurance funds.
Can my family be insured free of charge?
In statutory health insurance, a non-working spouse and children may qualify for free family insurance if the legal requirements are met.
Who can choose private health insurance?
Typical eligible groups include civil servants, self-employed people, and employees whose income exceeds the statutory compulsory insurance threshold.
Which voluntary insurance is most important?
Personal liability insurance is widely considered the most important voluntary policy because liability claims can be financially significant.
Do employees pay for accident insurance?
No. Statutory accident insurance is financed entirely by the employer.
Does statutory accident insurance cover leisure accidents?
No. It mainly covers workplace accidents, occupational diseases, and accidents on the direct commute between home and work.
Do self-employed people need to arrange insurance themselves?
Yes. They generally need to organize and pay for their own health insurance and may also consider private pension, disability, and liability coverage.
Is health insurance required for a residence permit?
In many cases, yes. Adequate health insurance is often required for visa applications, residence permits, and extensions.
Can international students use statutory health insurance?
Many can, provided they meet the applicable age, study, and eligibility requirements.
Are all medical services free under statutory insurance?
No. Co-payments may apply for prescriptions, hospital stays, dental prostheses, and certain other services.
Compare All Kinds of Insurance in Germany
Compare healthcare plans, liability insurance and more with our partner Tarifcheck.
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