Health Insurance for Ukrainians

Bürgergeld (ALG II) application: The choice of health insurance fund is a prerequisite

Ukrainians can enter Germany without a visa and freely choose their place of residence. Refugees from Ukraine can obtain war refugee status throughout the EU. They do not have to apply for asylum but must be registered upon arrival. Registration creates a right to maintenance, medical care, and a right of residence for an initial period of two years.

Тут Ви знайдете всю інформацію з сайту krankenkasse.de українською мовою.

During the initial period of residence in Germany, the social welfare offices are also responsible for medical care. War refugees are entitled to benefits in the case of illness, pregnancy, childbirth, and the need for nursing care. The social welfare offices usually issue “treatment vouchers” which the person then presents to the doctor. The social welfare office then pays for the cost of the treatment and any necessary medication.

In some German states, municipalities may work in cooperation with statutory health insurance companies who then take over the care of refugees. However, the services offered do not correspond to the level of benefits that generally apply to persons with statutory health insurance in Germany. War refugees therefore have an interest in integrating as fully as possible into the statutory health insurance system.

Bürgergeld (ALG II) application: the choice of health insurance fund is a prerequisite
Refugees from Ukraine can receive financial support through unemployment benefit II (Bürgergeld, ALG II). For this, they need to apply to the Jobcenter, which also covers the cost of statutory health insurance. Before the appointment at the Jobcenter, applicants should choose a statutory health insurance fund. Once their membership begins, they will receive benefits like any other person with statutory health insurance in Germany.

The application for statutory health insurance can be made here and you will receive an immediate confirmation. At the Jobcenter appointment, refugees can then state their chosen statutory health insurance fund. Click here for more information and to apply for health insurance (in Ukrainian).

The application to the Jobcenter for ALG II should be submitted as soon as possible. The following documents are important:

  • Copy of residence permit or provisional residence permit (Fiktionsbescheinigung),
  • Copy of rental contract,
  • Confirmation of the choice of statutory health insurance fund, and
  • If possible: bank statements of the German bank account from the opening of the account until the current day

The easiest way to become a member of a statutory health insurance fund is to take up a job that earns above  520.00 and below 5775.00 euros per month. Compulsory insurance will then come into effect, and the employee chooses the statutory health insurance fund. This statutory health insurance fund must insure the employee; it cannot refuse.

Заявка на ALG II з 1 червня: виберіть касу медичного страхування та приєднайтеся до неї

Тут Ви можете вибрати касу медичного страхування, щоб підготуватися до зустрічі стосовно ALG II та подати заявку на оформлення страхування онлайн. Ви одразу отримаєте довідку для подання до центру зайнятості.

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Choosing a statutory health insurance fund
The system of statutory health insurance in Germany is a little unusual: Statutory health insurance is provided by more than 80 different health insurance companies. There are historical reasons for this. Statutory health insurance companies developed out of the healthcare and pension schemes of individual professions and companies. Complete standardization has never been achieved.

For insured persons, it means that they have to choose a statutory health insurance fund. You can't go very wrong with your choice: All statutory health insurance funds are corporations under public law and are subject to strict state supervision. Ninety-five percent of benefits are mandated by law. If you have been a member of a particular statutory health insurance fund for at least 12 months, you can easily switch to any other statutory health insurance fund.

The actions and obligations of statutory health insurance companies in Germany are governed by the Fifth Social Security Code (Sozialgesetzbuch V). These legal rules apply equally to all statutory health insurance funds and all insured persons. Statutory health insurance companies are organizations of indirect state administration and are not allowed to make a profit.

Tax identification number and social security number
In addition to the residence permit and registration in the Central Register of Foreigners, a tax identification number and a social security number are prerequisites for the integration into working life in Germany. The tax identification number is issued automatically after the registration of a place of residence with a municipality. The social security number is applied for by the employer, the Jobcenter, or the chosen statutory health insurance fund.