EU Citizens Living in Germany

While statutory health insurance for employees and students from abroad is simple, things become more complicated if you are not a student or working. Here's how you can find a suitable health insurance plan.

EU citizens are allowed to live in any country in the European Union. This “freedom of movement” is one of the fundamental rights in the European single market. EU foreigners should not be disadvantaged compared to those who have always lived in a country. This includes good medical coverage in the event of illness. However, how the health insurance coverage is actually implemented depends on the status of the EU foreigner in Germany.

Citizens of EU member states who have statutory health insurance in their home country can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive treatment in Germany free of charge. This applies to short-term stays by people on vacation as well as certain longer stays. Students from other EU member states and retirees from other EU-countries can make use of this.

Solutions for the longer stay
The entitlement to treatment with the EHIC is limited to emergencies. If citizens of other EU member states wish to stay longer in Germany, they can extend their entitlement to benefits by filling out a special form, the EU S1 form, which is issued by their health insurance provider in their home country. The portable document S1 replaces the former E forms E106, E109, E120, and E121. It is used along with the EHIC while abroad to obtain the healthcare benefits that are standard in Germany. Students and retirees from EU-countries can make use of this.

How foreigners without work get health insurance in Germany
Foreigners receive the full scope of benefits when they become members of German statutory health insurance funds. This is one of many reasons why most EU citizens in Germany will take out German health insurance as soon as possible. Often, membership in a statutory health insurance fund is even required by law, for example, for employees.

In some cases, foreigners from EU countries can become members of a German statutory health insurance fund even if they do not have a job. To do so, they must be eligible for statutory health insurance under the rules that apply in Germany. This is the case, for example, with EU foreigners looking for work in Germany if they have registered in Germany as unemployed.

Another possibility for health insurance in Germany is offered by §5 Art. 1 No. 13 of the Fifth Social Security Code (Sozialgesetzbuch V). It is set out in this paragraph that any person who had been statutorily insured (including in another EU country) and has “no other right to insurance”, can take out statutory health insurance. EU citizens who wish to live permanently in Germany could use this passage to become members of a German statutory health insurance fund if they were covered by statutory health insurance in their home country before coming to Germany. This claim should be made within three months after entry into Germany.

Private health insurance
For EU citizens coming from an EU country but who were privately insured there, statutory health insurance is usually only possible if they are working or studying in Germany. In most cases, they must look for private health insurance in Germany. For healthy, younger people, this is not a problem. People with serious pre-existing conditions should take out the “basic tariff” (Basistarif) of private health insurance. The benefits offered under the “basic tariff” are equivalent to the level offered by statutory health insurance.

Insurance under the “Basistarif” of private health insurance
Those who cannot afford private health insurance or cannot take out a policy for other reasons should insure themselves under the “basic tariff” (Basistarif) of private health insurance. Every private health insurance company must offer a “basic tariff”. Those who want to insure themselves under the “basic tariff” can choose the company they want to be insured with. The private health insurance company is legally obligated to insure the applicant.

The “basic tariff” offers benefits comparable to the benefits offered by statutory health insurance. The premiums must not be higher than the maximum contribution under statutory health insurance. Currently, the monthly insurance premium is around 807,98 euros. Those who cannot afford the premiums should contact the office responsible for basic social security (Grundsicherung).

Guest insurance as a short-term alternative
If your health insurance status is uncertain, you should cover yourself by taking out guest insurance before entering the country. The premiums are lower than the premiums for regular private health insurance. A contract for up to five years is possible for guest insurance. During this time, any questions about health insurance coverage should be clarified. This clarification should be sought quickly because guest insurance is not a long-term alternative to regular health insurance for residents.

An important note: You should choose a generous timeframe for guest insurance. Generally, it cannot be extended after entry into the country.