Top 9 Health Insurance Providers for Expats in Germany

Germany offers both statutory and private health insurance options for expats. Statutory health insurance is mandatory for most expats, with the cost typically shared between the employer and employee. However, those meeting certain criteria can opt for private insurance, which may offer more comprehensive coverage and flexibility.

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The top 9 health insurance companies for expats in Germany include April International, AXA, Globality, HanseMerkur, Bupa, Cigna, GeoBlue, NOW Health International, and Allianz Care. These providers offer various plans with benefits such as inpatient and outpatient coverage, dental and maternity care, emergency evacuation, and more. Compare these insurers to find the best plan for your needs.

This article will give an overview of benefits, deductibles, premiums, and waiting periods for the best insurance companies for expats in Germany. We have also included a couple more companies at the end of the article for more options.

See how many of these great insurance providers in Germany are also among the top ten insurance providers worldwide for expats.

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9 Leading Insurance Companies for Expats in Germany

Image of Bridge Over Water With City Buildings In The Background, Frankfurt with text overlay of "Leading Insurance Companies for Expats in Germany"

The 9 best health insurance companies for expats in Germany are:

  1. April International
  2. AXA
  3. Bupa
  4. Cigna
  5. GeoBlue
  6. NOW Health International
  7. Allianz Care
  8. Globality Health
  9. HanseMerkur

Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. Expats may be eligible for statutory insurance, which is public insurance paid for partly by the employer and partly by the expat. Expats who meet certain criteria can opt out of statutory insurance and secure a private insurance plan instead.

Some hospitals and clinics in Germany only accept private insurance, so you’ll want a good insurance plan if you want to access those services. 

As an added bonus, we will also give our readers a peek at three additional insurance companies for expats in Germany.

April International: Comprehensive Coverage for Expats in Germany

April International is one of only a couple of expat health insurance companies that offer plans with unlimited annual benefits. This top-tier insurance provider’s comprehensive plans start at only USD $197 monthly for a 30-year-old female expat in Germany.

The following table displays the available benefits of plans for expats from April International in Germany.

April International Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Germany
Benefit  Availability through April International
Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available with a 3-month waiting period for routine dental care and a 6-month waiting period for major/restorative care
Maternity Coverage Available with a 12-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available after a 6-month waiting period
Vaccination Coverage Unavailable
Optical Coverage Coverage for contact lenses or glasses

If your budget is a bit tight, you may want to concentrate on April International’s plans with an annual benefit limit of USD $2,000,000. Still, you can get a plan with an unlimited annual benefit amount starting at only USD $261 per month.

The table below displays the available annual deductibles, annual benefit limits, and pricing for plans in Germany based on a 30-year-old female expat.

Premiums, Annual Deductibles, and Annual Benefit Limits Comparison for Plans from April International in Germany
Monthly Premium Deductible Annual Benefit Limit
USD $197 USD $20,000 USD $2,000,000
USD $236 USD $10,000 USD $2,000,000
USD $261 USD $5,000 Unlimited
USD $277 USD $2,500 Unlimited
USD $293 USD $1,000 Unlimited
USD $309 USD $500 Unlimited
USD $341 USD $0 Unlimited

AXA Health Insurance: Low Deductibles and Extensive Benefits in Germany for Expats

AXA is an outstanding insurance company for expats in Germany because the plans have low deductibles and comprehensive coverage. Monthly premiums start at USD $302 monthly for a 30-year-old female living in Germany.

Check out the comprehensive benefits from AXA for expats in Germany, including travel vaccination coverage for well-traveled expats or expats who hope to travel more. 

AXA Health Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Germany
Benefit  Availability through AXA
Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available 
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available with a high limit of $16,000
Maternity Coverage Available with an 18-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available
Vaccination Coverage Available including travel vaccinations
Optical Coverage $160 limit for eye exam and glasses or contacts

The table below compares the starting premiums per month for AXA’s plans according to the annual deductible and the annual benefit limit for expats in Germany.

Premiums, Annual Deductibles, and Annual Benefit Limits Comparison for Plans from AXA in Germany
Monthly Premium Deductible (Yearly) Annual Benefit Limit
USD $302 USD $3,200 USD $3,200,000
USD $407 USD $3,200 USD $8,000,000
USD $435 USD $1,600 USD $3,200,000
USD $588 USD $1,600 USD $8,000,000
USD $546 USD $400 USD $3,200,000
USD $679 USD $400 USD $8,000,000
USD $560 USD $160 USD $3,200,000
USD $695 USD $160 USD $8,000,000
USD $570 $0 USD $3,200,000
USD $705 $0 USD $8,000,000

Bupa for Expats in Germany: Global Virtual Care and More

Image of Boat In The Harbor Of Hamburg, Germany with text overlay of "Bupa for Expats in Germany"

Bupa is well-loved by expats in Germany and worldwide because the insurance company offers 24/7 Global Virtual Care and an extensive direct billing network. Monthly premiums start at USD $488 for a female expat living in Germany.

The table below demonstrates the coverage availability for health insurance benefits through Bupa for expats in Germany.

Bupa Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Germany
Benefit  Availability through Bupa
Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available on many plans
Dental Coverage Available with a 24-month waiting period for orthodontic benefits
Maternity Coverage Available with a 12-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available
Vaccination Coverage Available for routine and travel vaccines
Optical Coverage Available for routine eye exams and glasses and contacts with sub-limits

The following table illustrates the comparison of the starting premium rate for a 30-year-old female living in Germany based on the annual deductible. Actual premiums will vary according to plan selections.

Premiums and Annual Deductibles Comparison for Plans from Bupa in Germany
Monthly Premiums Start At Deductible (Yearly)
USD $488 USD $20,000
USD $525 USD $10,000
USD $674 USD $5,000
USD $553 USD $3,400
USD $635 USD $1,700
USD $773 USD $425
USD $1,321 $0

Bupa’s plans offer additional deductible options. This table shows a sampling of options.

Cigna Insurance Plans: Affordable Coverage Options for Expats in Germany

Premiums for Cigna’s Silver plan start at USD $177 monthly for a 30-year-old female expat living in Germany. Cigna is a well-known and respected international health insurance company with deductibles as low as zero dollars.

The annual benefit limit for Cigna’s Silver plan is USD $1,000,000, and coverage is worldwide excluding the United States.

See how Cigna compares to other companies in our top nine list for expats in Germany using the table below.

Cigna Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Germany
Benefit  Availability through Cigna
Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available on most plans
Dental Coverage Available with waiting periods of 3, 12, or 18 months
Maternity Coverage Available on Gold or Platinum Plans
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available, but some plans only cover annual exams for children 17 & under
Vaccination Coverage Available, but travel vaccinations are excluded
Optical Coverage Available with sub-limits

Since the annual benefit limit is set at $1,000,000 for the plan, the following table shows an estimated starting monthly premium rate for a policy for a 30-year-old female expat in Germany compared to the annual deductible options.

Premiums and Annual Deductibles Comparison for Plans from Cigna in Germany
Monthly Premiums Start At Deductible (Yearly)
USD $177 USD $10,000
USD $211 USD $3,000
USD $230 USD $1,500
USD $253 USD $375
USD $268 $0

Bear in mind that additional plan options for coverage impact insurance rates, so this table reflects the starting price for more basic coverage and is only meant to be an estimate. Applicant demographics also impact monthly premiums.

GeoBlue: Unlimited Benefits and 24/7 Telemedicine for Expats in Germany

American expats living in Germany should strongly consider GeoBlue’s health insurance plans with unlimited annual benefits and 24/7 telemedicine services. Premiums for this comprehensive coverage start at only USD $412 monthly for a 30-year-old female.

Policyholders on GeoBlue’s Xplorer Essential plan in Germany enjoy comprehensive benefits that cover them worldwide excluding the United States, with one of the largest direct billing networks worldwide.

The table below shows the availability of popular insurance benefits for expats through GeoBlue.

GeoBlue Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Germany
Benefit  Availability through GeoBlue
Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available with a 3-month waiting period
Maternity Coverage Available at renewal after 12 months
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available
Vaccination Coverage Routine vaccines are covered, and there is a USD $500 limit for travel vaccinations.
Optical Coverage Up to USD $250 with a 30% co-pay for an eye exam and contacts or glasses

Let’s take a closer look at the premiums based on selected deductible options for a policy through GeoBlue. All plans have an impressive unlimited annual benefit, so keep that in mind when you compare these rates to other companies.

The table below estimates the monthly premium based off of a 30-year-old female expat applying for coverage in Germany through an international insurance broker.

Premiums and Annual Deductibles Comparison for Plans from GeoBlue in Germany
Monthly Premiums Start At Deductible (Yearly)
USD $412 USD $10,000
USD $473 USD $5,000
USD $532 USD $2,500
USD $643 USD $1,000
USD $919 $0

NOW Health International in Germany for Expats: Comprehensive Plans with High Limits

NOW Health International’s comprehensive plans, with an annual benefit limit of USD $4,500,000 for expats in Germany, start at $403 monthly for a 30-year-old female. NOW Health International offers elective coverage on select worldwide plans that include the United States.

Like many other insurance companies in our list, NOW Health International provides these comprehensive benefits for expats in Germany:

The following table illustrates the availability of coverage for plans through NOW Health International, including waiting period lengths.

NOW Health International Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Germany
Benefit  Availability through NOW Health Intl.
Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available with a 9-month waiting period
Maternity Coverage Available with a 12-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available on higher tier plans with a 6-month waiting period and a limit of USD $1,000
Vaccination Coverage Routine and travel vaccinations are covered up to the annual health check benefit limit.
Optical Coverage Eye exams and contacts or glasses are covered but subject to the annual health check limit.

Deductibles through NOW Health are available in the amounts shown in the table. For ease of comparison, we have also included the starting estimated premiums for a 30-year-old female in Germany. All plans listed have an annual benefit limit of USD $4,500,000.

Premiums and Annual Deductibles Comparison for Plans from NOW Health International in Germany
Monthly Premiums Start At Deductible (Yearly)
USD $403 USD $15,000
USD $421 USD $10,000
USD $467 USD $5,000
USD $508 USD $2,500
USD $543 USD $1,000
USD $584 $0

Allianz Care: Premium Health Coverage with Global Reach for Expats in Germany

Image of Elbphilharmonie Building By The Water In Hamburg, Germany with text overlay of "Allianz Care"

Allianz Care plans are available for expats in Germany. Worldwide coverage, including or excluding the United States, is available for expats with this high-performing insurance company. Select plans offer annual benefit limits of up to USD $5,000,000.

Allianz Care provides its policyholders with an Expat Assistance Program and coverage for second medical opinions.

Annual deductibles for Expats in Germany through Allianz Care are available in the following amounts:

  • USD $13,500 deductible plans
  • USD $4,050 deductible plans
  • USD $2,025 deductible plans
  • USD $1,015 deductible plans
  • $0 deductible plans

Expats in Germany will enjoy the following comprehensive benefits through Allianz Care:

Check out the options for coverage available through Allianz Care for expats in the table below.

Allianz Care Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Germany
Benefit  Availability through Allianz Care
Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available
Maternity Coverage Available with a waiting period of 10 or 18 months
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available
Vaccination Coverage Available

Globality Health: Tailored Plans for Expats in Germany

Globality Health offers expats living in Germany health insurance through their YouGenio for Germany plans. You can select from their coverage levels Classic, Plus, and Top. These plans are catered specifically to the unique needs and lifestyle of living in Germany.

The YouGenio plans have no age limits, lifetime renewability, and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. They also have CoGenio plans available for employees of large companies and group coverage.

Here are the annual deductible options you select from with your YouGenio for Germany plan.

  • USD $1,300 annual deductible
  • USD $650 annual deductible
  • USD $325 annual deductible

Premiums for YouGenio plans are calculated based on where the policy holder lives, thus taking into account the local medical treatment costs.

The following chart gives you a sneak peek into the benefits included in the YouGenio for Expats in Germany plans from Globality.

Globality Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Germany
Benefit  Availability through Globality
Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available as a part of the core plan
Maternity Coverage Available
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available
Vaccination Coverage Available

HanseMerkur: Affordable Health and Travel Insurance Plans for Expats in Germany

HanseMerkur is a leading health and travel insurance provider for expats, students, workers, and au pairs living in Germany. Their annual foreign health insurance plan can cover you on a limitless number of trips within a year starting at only USD $20 a year.

HanseMerkur specializes in travel health insurance for a single trip, multiple trips, and long term stays abroad of up to 5 years.

HanseMerkur offers the following exclusive plans for foreigners visiting Germany specifically:

  • Health and travel insurance for guests in Germany for a single trip
  • Comprehensive travel insurance for guests in Germany long term
  • Young Travel insurance for guests up to the age of 35 for up to 5 years in Germany
  • Visum Insurance for guests in the EU for up to 1 year
  • Travel insurance for groups of foreign guests in Germany for up to 1 year
  • Statutory Health Insurance DAK for professionals and students in a German university

The following chart breaks down some of the benefits HanseMerkur offers to expats living in Germany who select the long term health insurance plan designed for pupils, students, and trainees.

HanseMerkur Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Germany
Benefit  Availability through HanseMerkur
Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available
Maternity Coverage Available
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Not Available
Vaccination Coverage Not Available

Other Health Insurance Providers for Expats in Germany

Since there are a lot of high-quality expat health insurance providers in Germany, we wanted to fill in our readers on a few more. Consider plans from Passport Card, Expatriate Healthcare, and HealthCare International as well.

Passport Card for Expats in Germany

Passport Card’s comprehensive insurance plans for expats in Germany start at USD $350 monthly with an annual benefit limit of USD $2,500,000. Plans are available for select geographical regions or more worldwide.

Note that worldwide coverage through Passport Card still excludes the United States, but other insurance companies have options if you need health insurance coverage including the United States.

Expats residing in Germany have the following benefits available through Passport Card Insurance policies.

Passport Card Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Germany
Benefit  Availability through Passport Card
Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available with a 3-6 month waiting period
Maternity Coverage Available with a 16-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available
Vaccination Coverage Available for children only, and travel vaccinations are excluded
Optical Coverage Available with USD $400 for an eye exam and contacts or one pair of glasses

You can compare the starting estimated monthly premium for Passport Card Insurance plans in Germany. Estimates are based on quotes for a hypothetical 30-year-old female expat. Plans with additional coverage are also available with an annual deductible of USD $2,000.

Premiums, Annual Deductibles, and Annual Benefit Limits Comparison for Plans from Passport Card in Germany
Monthly Premium Deductible (Yearly) Annual Benefit Limit
USD $350 USD $1,000 USD $2,500,000
USD $403 USD $1,000 USD $5,000,000
USD $367 USD $500 USD $2,500,000
USD $404 USD $500 USD $5,000,000
USD $384 USD $250 USD $2,500,000
USD $423 USD $250 USD $5,000,000
USD $402 $0 USD $2,500,000
USD $442 $0 USD $5,000,000

Expatriate Healthcare in Germany for Expats

Expatriate Healthcare’s policies start at an estimated USD $162 monthly for a 30-year-old female expat. These plans offer comprehensive health insurance benefits for expats in Germany. 

The table below displays the available coverage through Expatriate Healthcare plans. 

Expatriate Healthcare Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Germany
Benefit  Availability through Expatriate Healthcare
Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Only emergency evacuation coverage is available
Dental Coverage Up to USD $750 for preventative with 20% co-pay
Maternity Coverage Available after a 12-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available, has a USD $300 benefit limit
Vaccination Coverage Unavailable for routine vaccines, but up to annual well-being limit for travel vaccinations
Optical Coverage Up to USD $150 annually for an exam and contacts or glasses

Expats can choose between saving money at the clinic or on monthly premiums, depending on medical needs. Check out the table below, which shows the estimated starting premiums for a 30-year-old female in Germany based on deductible options through Expatriate Healthcare.

Premiums and Annual Deductibles Comparison for Plans from Expatriate Healthcare in Germany
Monthly Premiums Start At Deductible (Yearly)
USD $162 USD $5,000
USD $181 USD $500
USD $202 USD $250
USD $243 USD $100
USD $270 USD $50
USD $324 $0

Note that all plans have an annual benefit limit of USD $5,000,000.

HealthCare International in Germany for Expats

HealthCare International offers plans with co-pays ranging from no co-pay to 30%, so expats in Germany can customize their plans in multiple ways. Monthly premiums start at USD $195 for a 30-year-old female for a plan with an annual benefit limit of USD $1,500,000.

The most comprehensive plans through Healthcare International also offer benefits for acupuncture and traditional Chinese Medicine

HealthCare International Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Germany
Benefit  Availability through HealthCare International
Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available with a 6-month waiting period
Maternity Coverage Available with a 12 to 18-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available with a 12-month waiting period
Vaccination Coverage Available, but travel vaccinations excluded
Optical Coverage Coverage is available for glasses is available on some plans, but no coverage is available for eye exams.

Policyholders in Germany can choose one of the following annual benefit limits through HealthCare International:

  • USD $1,500,000
  • USD $2,000,000
  • USD $2,500,000

Deductibles through Healthcare International range from $0 to $1000, with many options available in between.

Co-pays are available in the amounts of no co-pay, 10% co-pay, 20% co-pay, and 30% co-pay.

Working with an insurance broker to secure a plan with Healthcare International can help you fine-tune the details of you plan to meet your needs and budget.

How to Choose the Best Health Insurance for Expats in Germany

Image of River Flowing Through The City With Frankfurt Skyline In The Background with text overlay of "How to Choose the Best Health Insurance for Expats in Germany"

Choosing the best expat health insurance in Germany with the right benefits and affordable premiums can be completed in one place when you work with an insurance broker. Working with an insurance broker can help you compare all of the aspects of coverage at no additional cost.

We used Pacific Prime’s obligation-free quote generator to find the estimated rates for a 30-year-old female expat in Germany. This tool is one of many available for zero cost to potential clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Americans get free healthcare in Germany?

American citizens in Germany may have public, statutory health insurance paid for by their employer and wages or private health insurance. Residents meeting certain criteria can opt for private health insurance instead.

How much does health insurance in Germany cost for expats?

Statutory health insurance in Germany costs a percentage of an expat’s wages–usually just over 14%. This cost is shared between the insured and the employer. Private expat health insurance starts at USD $91 monthly for a 30-year-old female.

Can you use US health insurance while in Germany?

US domestic health insurance plans will not cover you while traveling or living abroad, including travel to Germany. Secure travel insurance before moving to or visiting Germany because Medicaid, medicare, and other US plans will not cover you abroad.

Conclusion

April International, AXA, Globality, HanseMerkur, Bupa, Cigna, GeoBlue, NOW Health International, and Allianz Care are the top nine best insurance companies for expats in Germany.

Have specific questions or want assistance? Contact an insurance expert today for free!

If you haven’t decided where you’ll be long term, you may also be interested in our top ten picks for expat health insurance in Portugal. Want somewhere outside of Europe? Check out the top ten insurers in the Dominican Republic.

Essential Resources for Expats Living in Germany

Additional resources for moving and living in Germany as an expat are available in these Pacific Prime blog posts:

Head of Content at Pacific Prime
Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
Serena Fung
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