- Health Insurance Plus
German Health Insurance for Internationals
Visa-ready Health Insurance, made simple
Apply online in minutes. Get coverage on its own, or combine with your Blocked Account in the Value Package.
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Free Travel Health Insurance included.
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Affordable and fully accepted for your visa, university, & life in Germany.
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Value Package benefits: Includes Blocked Account, free German Bank Account, and more.
Expatrio Packages
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New: includes free Expatrio Bank Account. Automatically connected to your Blocked Account
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German Blocked Account accepted by all German authorities
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Award-winning public or private health insurance coverage4
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Free Travel Health Insurance worth up to €953
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Up to €90 cashback with your personalized health insurance2
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Instant Blocked Amount confirmation once funds are received
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24hr customer response time
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All-in-One app for life in Germany
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Eligibility for The Expatrio Scholarship
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ADDITIONAL FREE BENEFITS
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Free International Student ID Card (Digital ISIC) worth up to €18*
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Free eBooks and resources for life and studies in Germany
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In-app access to top-tier accommodation for internationals
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Cost Breakdown
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Monthly fee: Only €5
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Blocked Account set-up fee: €89
Health Insurance
Health insurance for your visa and stay in Germany
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Incl. free Travel Health Insurance3
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Immediate confirmation for visa application and university enrollment
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Best Public German Health Insurance4
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Award-winning Private Health Insurance4
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Doctor appointment service & live chat
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Extensive coverage incl. vaccinations
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All-in-One app for life in Germany
Expatrio Packages
Health Insurance
Health insurance for your visa and stay in Germany
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Incl. free Travel Health Insurance3
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Immediate confirmation for visa application and university enrollment
-
Best Public German Health Insurance4
-
Award-winning Private Health Insurance4
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Doctor appointment service & live chat
-
Extensive coverage incl. vaccinations
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All-in-One app for life in Germany
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New: includes free Expatrio Bank Account. Automatically connected to your Blocked Account
-
German Blocked Account accepted by all German authorities
-
Award-winning public or private health insurance coverage4
-
Free Travel Health Insurance worth up to €953
-
Up to €90 cashback with your personalized health insurance2
-
Instant Blocked Amount confirmation once funds are received
-
24hr customer response time
-
All-in-One app for life in Germany
-
Eligibility for The Expatrio Scholarship
-
ADDITIONAL FREE BENEFITS
-
Free International Student ID Card (Digital ISIC) worth up to €18*
-
Free eBooks and resources for life and studies in Germany
-
In-app access to top-tier accommodation for internationals
-
Cost Breakdown
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Monthly fee: Only €5
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Blocked Account set-up fee: €89
Public or Private, what's right for me?
In Germany, Health Insurance is a legal requirement for everyone. You must have Health Insurance to get your visa, enroll at a university, start a job, and access healthcare.
Expatrio helps you find the right Health Insurance for your situation and needs, including your visa type.
For some internationals, Public Health Insurance is the best fit, while for others, Private Health Insurance, like ottonova, works better. No matter which option is right for you, you’ll be covered by trusted providers and supported every step of the way.
Take a look at the comparison between Public and Private Health Insurance below, or read more about the differences.
| Feature → | Public Health Insurance (TK) | Private Health Insurance (ottonova, DR-WALTER) |
|---|---|---|
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Who is eligible:
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Most people (excluding certain visa types e.g., Language visa)
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Fewer people are eligible, depends on age, health, student status
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Is my family (spouse & children) covered:
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Yes, dependants covered
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ottonova: Dependants not covered
DR-WALTER: Dependants covered (additional cost) |
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Do I have access to all doctors:
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Access to public doctors only
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Access to public & private doctors
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What languages are supported:
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Some English available, mainly German
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Most have English and German available
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What visa types are accepted:
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Bachelors, Masters, Exchange, Employee, Intern, + more
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Bachelors, Masters, Job Seeker, Opportunity Card, Language Student + more
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What are the monthly costs for students:
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Fixed student rate, increases significantly for students age 30+
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Fixed student rate, increases slightly for students age 30+
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What are the monthly costs for employees:
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Based on income
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Based on age, health & coverage
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Available as part of the Value Package:
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Yes
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Yes
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Still not sure? Find the right insurance using this quiz
Expatrio Value Package
Simplify your move to Germany with Expatrio's Value Package. Get your Blocked Account + mandatory Health Insurance + free Expatrio Bank Account, eligibility for The Expatrio Scholarship, and other free benefits.
"I like that I can choose an English-speaking doctor when booking. Since I’m still learning German, that’s been a big help."
Brian
University Student, Taiwan
"I had no problems using the insurance with my university, and even for my permanent residence application, they provided 1-to-1 customer support and created the document I needed."
Vidyut
University Student, India
How can I get Health Insurance in Germany?
Apply online in just a few minutes
Fill in our online application form to secure your Health Insurance coverage.
Top tip: most people coming to Germany on a visa will also need a Blocked Account. Get both of these at the same time with the Value Package. Save time and money with our specially designed package for internationals in Germany!
Receive confirmation for your visa
After setting up your Expatrio account, you can download your Free Travel Health Insurance / Incoming Insurance and German Health Insurance documents directly via the Expatrio User Portal.
Bring these documents to your visa appointment as proof of coverage. Requirements may vary, so always double-check your local consulate or embassy’s website for the exact list.
Activate
Once in Germany, activate your Health Insurance, and your Blocked Account if you've chosen our all-in-one Value Package. Follow these links to find out more.
- TK Health Insurance activation
- ottonova Health Insurance activation
- DR-WALTER Provisit Student Insurance activation
- DR-WALTER EDUCARE24 - is activated automatically based on your arrival date to Germany.
Enjoy your life in Germany
Congratulations - you've started your new life in Germany!
With Expatrio, you can rest assured that you are covered for medical emergencies as well as doctor visits, medical prescriptions, dental work, and so much more.
Expatrio Value Package customers will begin to get their monthly payouts instantly into their Expatrio Bank Accounts after they activate.
How Our Customers Feel About Our Service
Health Insurance
Personalized coverage, accepted for your visa, university, and stay in Germany
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Free Travel Health/Incoming Insurance for your visa worth up to €95. Accepted by German authorities worldwide.3
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Instant confirmation of coverage, ready immediately for your visa appointment.
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Award-winning and trusted providers.
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English-speaking and friendly customer support.
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Doctor appointment service & live chat via your insurance provider.
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Value Package benefit: Includes Blocked Account, needed for your German visa.
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Value Package benefit: Free German Bank Account included.
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Value Package benefit: Free digital Student Identity Card with thousands of discounts worldwide.
Know more about your Health Insurance providers
At Expatrio, we only work with partners who share our passion for supporting internationals relocating to Germany. The Health Insurance providers Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), ottonova and DR-WALTER are our chosen partners to bring you the best Health Insurance coverage.4
Learn more about Techniker Krankenkasse
TK is our public health insurance partner. From your studies or work start date, you will be covered by Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). Public health insurance is a also known as Statutory Health Insurance or even Governmental Health Insurance.
According to Focus Money, TK is the best German statutory health insurance fund (public health insurance) and the best health insurance fund for students.4 Their service comes with many advantages, such as vaccinations, cashback opportunities, and a convenient digital doctor appointment service.
Learn more about ottonova
ottonova is a Private Health Insurance partner that you can choose as your Health Insurance provider as a student. Private Health Insurance in Germany is an alternative to Public Health Insurance and comes with many benefits such as coverage of visual aids, dental coverage, free choice of doctors and access to private physicians, a double room in the hospital, as well as worldwide coverage.
ottonova offers you excellent health coverage at a very fair cost, with great digital services. So, the best-awarded customer service is just a tap away from you via chat in the ottonova App. For the fifth time in a row the digital Health Insurance was named the insurer with the highest customer satisfaction.4
Learn more about DR-WALTER
For your visa and arrival in Germany, you will need a special type of coverage called Travel Health Insurance. You might also know this as: Incoming Insurance, Private Travel Insurance, or Schengen Health Insurance. Getting this coverage is mandatory. If you are a student, you will be covered by this health insurance until your studies at a university or a university of applied sciences start.
If you are participating in a language course, or preparatory studies (Studienkolleg), you will have this private health insurance for the duration of your course.
Our partner for private health insurance is DR-WALTER, a specialized broker with over 60 years of experience in the insurance market and awarded as a Star Insurance provider.4
Experience the ease of Expatrio
Your All-in-One relocation to Germany app.
Interested in studying in Germany?
Use the Expatrio StudyBuddy
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Friendly guide to assist you effortlessly on your journey
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Interactive stey-by-step checklist with useful tips
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Get advanced program recommendations to find your perfect choice
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Live webinars, including a live Q&A with experts
What does the Health Insurance package include?
The Health Insurance package gives you full coverage for your stay in Germany.
It includes both Travel Health Insurance (Incoming Insurance) for your arrival and Health Insurance for your time in Germany.
Do you need Proof of Funds for your German visa?
With the Expatrio Value Package, you can also provide proof of funds through our Blocked Account, plus get a free Expatrio Bank Account. It’s everything you need for your visa and your new life in Germany - all in one package.
How much does Health Insurance cost in Germany?
Health Insurance costs in Germany are usually around €120-€140 per month for students.
With Expatrio, your visa-required Travel Health Insurance is included for free on top of your German Health Insurance.
You don’t need to start paying for your German Health Insurance until you arrive in Germany or your semester begins.
Your monthly Health Insurance cost depends on factors such as:
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Age
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Student or employment status
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Health status
The cost will be deducted directly by your Health Insurance provider from your German Bank Account.
If you choose the Value Package, you’ll get this German Bank Account for free - saving you the hassle of setting one up separately.
You’ll receive a clear quote for your monthly Health Insurance costs during your application, so there are no surprises.
Get Health Insurance, free Bank Account, and Blocked Account here.
Get Health Insurance only here.
Can I change Health Insurance providers?
When you decide to take out Private Health Insurance as a student, your decision is valid for the entire duration of your studies.
This means you cannot switch to Public Health Insurance (also known as Statutory Insurance) while you are still studying, however you can switch to Public Health Insurance after you graduate, or your visa-type changes.
Of course you can also stay in Private Health Insurance and switch to a comprehensive tariff if you're still eligible for it (employees with a certain income, self-employed or civil servants).
Switching from Public Health Insurance to Private Health Insurance?
Students may be eligible to swap to Private Health Insurance if they meet certain eligibility criteria. Check our our quiz here to see what Expatrio recommends for you!
Get individual support by booking a meeting with our insurance specialist here.
We're here to help you with any questions or queries you may have!
How can I show proof of insurance for my visa appointment?
With both the Expatrio Health Insurance Package and the Value Package, your insurance documents will be ready to download in your User Portal as soon as your application is received and approved. This usually takes only a couple of minutes! (@ekat pls confirm timings here)
You can find them in the “Documents” section.
Please also check your local embassy or consulate for the exact list of documents required, as this may vary by visa type and country.
What’s the difference between Public and Private Health Insurance?
Public Health Insurance (Statutory / gesetzliche Krankenversicherung – GKV)
Public Health Insurance in Germany is run by the government and non-profit providers. Everyone pays based on their student status or income. It covers a wide range of medical services, including doctor visits, hospital treatment, and basic dental care.
Private Health Insurance (Private Krankenversicherung – PKV)
Private Health Insurance in Germany is run by private companies. Here, you pay based on factors such as your age, health, and the level of coverage you choose. It can offer faster access to doctors, private hospitals, and additional benefits.
Expatrio offers both Public and Private Health Insurance suitable for your visa, university enrollment, job, and general life in Germany.
We only work with trusted partners.
You can take a further look at Public and Private Health Insurance comparisons here.
Is TK / ottonova / DR-WALTER valid for my visa?
Yes - absolutely. The Health Insurance we provide is accepted by German authorities and fully valid for your visa application.
We make sure you get the right coverage for your visa type, so you can apply with confidence. That’s why more than 200,000 international students and internationals have trusted Expatrio to secure their visa successfully.
What is the difference between Travel Health Insurance and German Health Insurance?
Travel Health Insurance (also called Incoming Insurance) is what you need to show at your visa appointment. It covers your trip to Germany and the time before your German Health Insurance starts.
Once you arrive in Germany, you will then activate your German Health Insurance with one of our providers – TK, ottonova, or DR-WALTER. This insurance is mandatory for everyone living in Germany and covers your medical needs in everyday life.
Do I need Health Insurance in Germany?
Yes, it is mandatory by German law that everyone who lives in Germany is covered by Health Insurance.
You must also provide proof of Travel Health Insurance / Incoming Insurance for your visa appointment.
Expatrio only works with trusted and proven Health Insurance providers that are accepted by all German authorities.
Footnotes
[1] With the Value Package, you save the following: Up to €90 TK-Flex cashback + free travel health insurance worth up to €95 + free digital ISIC card worth up to €18. This offer is only valid for customers who apply for the Value Package. Expatrio reserves the right to cancel this promotion at any point in time. Special terms and conditions apply.
[2] TK-Flex is an elective tariff and only available for eligible TK Health Insurance customers. Once the TK membership is activated, TK-Flex can commence. Expatrio will provide the customer with detailed guidelines on how to do this. Within TK-Flex, users have the option to deselect/opt out of services they do not need. In return, there is a cashback bonus of up to €90 per year. However, if the services are needed after all, TK customers can reactivate their Health Insurance coverage by paying a deductible of €24 per service (up to €120) per year. Please refer to our TK-Flex page for more information.
[3] Free Incoming/ Travel Health Insurance coverage for up to 92 days as part of the Value Package for eligible customers worth up to € 95.00.
[4] Focus Money has awarded TK the 'Best Student Health Insurance Fund,' Study Travel Magazine has awarded DR-Walter the 'Super Star Award'', and Kubus has awarded ottonova first place in the service and customer satisfaction categories three times in a row.
[5] Upon opening your Expatrio Bank Account, a valid visa or a valid residence permit will be required in order to maintain access. The timeframe in which you will need to provide these documents will be provided to you.