If you’ve recently moved—or are thinking about moving—to Germany, then you probably know it’s mandatory to have health insurance. You can’t start a full-time job or get a residence permit without it!
And if you’re feeling confused by the health insurance options, then you’re certainly not alone. Germany has a two-tier system with both private and public insurers. But in your search, you’ve probably come across references to “expat health insurance”, “expat insurance” or even “expat travel insurance”. So what exactly is this type of insurance?
We shed some light on what our expat health plan covers, and why it might be a good choice for you.
What is expat health insurance?
Expat health insurance provides coverage in emergencies. It will generally cover costs associated with accidents or unexpected injuries, including hospital stays and related doctor’s visits. (And yes, this includes treatment and testing for COVID-19.) But it doesn’t cover care for pre-existing conditions or chronic illnesses.
This type of policy is not intended as a long-term solution—many people use it to cover their first year or so in Germany and then switch to a comprehensive public or private policy later on. But starting off with the Feather expat plan can give you many advantages.
1. It provides flexibility
Don’t know how long you’re going to stay in Germany? Our expat plan is a great initial coverage option. There’s no minimum contract period, which means you can get coverage for a couple of months while you figure out your next move. You can also cancel your plan at any time (with a one-month notice period).
2. It fulfills freelance residence permit requirements
If you’re looking to start working in Germany as a freelancer, you absolutely need health insurance. If you’re from the EU, it will be easy for you to register with a public insurer—but if you’re from a non-EU country, getting into the public system will likely be difficult. Lucky for you, the Feather expat health insurance plan provides sufficient coverage to meet residence permit application requirements.
Again, this isn’t meant to be a permanent solution (you can’t be on expat health insurance for longer than five years), but gives you coverage while you figure out your next move.
3. It’s affordable
Expat health insurance is cheaper than most public and private options. The Feather plan starts at just €72 a month!
4. No German required
Every step of getting insured through Feather is in English. Claims can easily be filed online, and you can manage your policy through your Feather account. And for any additional issues, our English-speaking customer support team is always happy to help!
I am a 70 year old Australian who has just recently (08/03/2020 moved to Germany. I am retired and, after Coronavirus pandemic, I hope to obtain part-time employment as well as freelance work. What is the best insurance that will cover Coronavirus testing and any medical and hospital costs if required?
Hi Bruce,
Thanks for getting in touch. Since every situation is a bit different, one of our insurance specialists will get in touch with you shortly over email to discuss your options.
Best,
Elyse
I think the expat health insurance is the right product for me, the problem is I have a kid too. What product/package would be suitable for both of us? Tks.
Hello,
If you’re moving to Germany with a child, we would recommend getting a comprehensive public or private insurance policy. Get in touch with one of our insurance specialists over chat at https://feather-insurance.com to discuss your options.
Best,
Elyse