Health insurance (Krankenversicherung) in Germany is mandatory. The health insurance providers are known Krankenkassen Around 90% of the german population is covered under Statutory Health Insurance and 10% through Private Health Insurance.
There are two options for health insurance
- Statutory Health Insurance, also known as Public Health Insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung)
- Private Health Insurance (private Krankenversicherung)
There are many advantages and disadvantages to both private and public health insurance. This is best decided based on your age, health and your particular situation. There is no “one formula that fits all” when it comes to choosing between a private and public health insurance.
There are several factors that you should consider while choosing either of these and if you would like to talk to a consultant, please feel free to contact us.
Statutory Health Insurance
The Statutory health insurance providers are non-profit companies in Germany. . In Germany, there are several companies that offer Statutory Health Insurance.
Employees
If you are an employee and your yearly gross salary is less than € 60750 per year (in 2019), then you are only eligible for Statutory Health Insurance. You have the option to choose any statutory health insurance provider/Krankenkassen.
The monthly contribution of health insurance, may range between 14.6 – 15.6 % of your gross salary, depending on the insurance provider. You pay half of this (7.3 – 8.3 %) and the other half is paid by your employer. Also note that the maximum contribution to health insurance is €400 per month, even if your salary is more than € 54450 per year.
Students
If you are a student and you are below 30 years old, you will pay much less up to a duration of first 14 semesters of your study period. Many insurance providers offer exclusive student health insurance plans (in 2019, this costs about € 90 per month).
If you are PhD Student, and receive salary, you may not be eligible under this category. However, some insurance providers accept fellowship students who receive a stipend with no contribution to social security benefits from employer under this category.
Freelancers
If you are a freelancer, you pay 14.6 – 15.6 % of your income under statutory health insurance.
Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)
München Tamil Sangam e.V. has collaborated with Tk for people who are looking to avail a new insurance plan whilst you are already in India or new in Munich. This option is also possible for those who are willing to change their insurance provider. Tk offers special insurance plan for students. They also have their services in English and provide a welcome session (kit in English) for people moving from abroad to Germany. If you would like to apply to Tk Health insurance to avail these benefits, please use the attached application form and contact Mr. Johannes Kohl, Privat- and business costumer consultant. Email ID: Johannes.Kohl@tk.de
For Students, Student Application Form (in English)
For Employees & for those individuals who are willing to change to Tk, Application Form (in English)
Kindly note that those of you who are moving to Germany and are in India, at the moment can also make use of this application form for a head start. Your insurance will come to effect after you come to Germany.
Private Health Insurance
Generally, it may be even cheaper than statutory health insurance while you are young and become more expensive as you get older. There are certain restrictions on age in which you can change your insurance provider back to statutory health insurance. There are also many private health insurance companies and they manage their insurance plans in many different ways. Usually, the best deal of information is offered by insurance agents/consultants. Such a session is free of cost and one may inquire more than one agent and evaluate all their options. Kindly contact us, if you would like to receive any information regarding such agents in Munich.
Employee
If you are an employee and yearly gross salary is more than € 60750 per year (in 2019), then you are eligible to choose between Statutory Health Insurance and private health insurance. Like in every case, an employee pays half of their contributions every month and the employer pays the other half.
Students
If you are a student you can choose private health insurance plans and particularly if you are above 30, this might even be a good option, with special student plans.
Freelancer
If you are a freelancer, you can always choose a private health insurance as this may be cheaper compared to your statutory health insurance, as you pay the monthly contributions in full, unlike an employed individual.
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