Health Insurance ("Krankenversicherung")
All researchers and their accompanying family members must take out a health insurance policy in Germany, and you will require proof that you are insured before you can obtain a residence permit and enter into an employment contract. The policy must at least cover medical treatment in the event of serious illness or accidents. The two types of health insurance in Germany are statutory health insurance and private health insurance. Their availability to you depends on whether you will be working in Germany on the basis of a scholarship, fellowship or an employment contract.
Research visit based on a fellowship
If you will fund your stay in Germany independently or by means of a fellowship, you have no alternative but to take out private health insurance cover.
Research visit based on an employment contract
If you possess an employment contract, you are compelled to take out statutory German health insurance.
Statutory health insurance
The level of contributions to statutory health insurance providers has been standardised. The standard rate is now 14.9% (as of 1 July 2009), of which the employer pays 7%, and the employee 7.9%. Contributions to your health insurance cover are deducted from your gross salary at source. The benefits of statutory health insurance are, for the most part, also standardised. There are differences in customer service, additional benefits and optional premiums. You are free to choose your statutory health insurance company.
Private health insurance
Health insurance during short visits: In contrast to statutory health insurance cover, private health insurance premiums are not income-related, but dependent on various criteria that influence the degree of risk such as age, gender, profession, state of health and the particular kind of health insurance cover you desire. The more comprehensive the package, the more expensive it becomes. Private patients receive personal invoices. You must pay them yourself and then submit them to your insurance company for a refund.
Concerning health insurance in Germany. Read more here
Special case: EU citizens
The following information applies to citizens of EU countries and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland who are spending time abroad.
Concerning health insurance for EU citizens. Read more here
Guide for international researchers, chapter 8:
Concerning social security in Germany. Read more here (page 104) (1.3 MB)Source: passages taken from EURAXESS, partly translated by: Dr. Lynda Lich-Knight, ResearchComm Ltd.
Tutor Service
Every Tuesday, 8:00am (meeting point by arrangement).
If you require assistance when dealing with the formalities or would like someone to accompany you to the various authorities, you can call on our team of student tutors who will be pleased to help you. The tutor service includes:
- assistance in dealing with the officials at the Foreign Nationals Registration Office
- assistance in opening a German bank account
- assistance in taking out a health insurance policy
For appointments, please contact Ms. Alexandra Redel, counsellor for guest researchers (phone: +49 (0)234 / 32-25408). Please contact us at least 3 days in advance.
