Do you need health insurance in Germany?

Yes, health insurance is compulsory for everyone residing in Germany, including citizens, residents, employees, and students. It is legally required to have either statutory (public) or private health insurance to ensure access to healthcare, with only about 0.1% of the population uninsured.

Can I stay in Germany without health insurance?

We will give you an overview of the types of health insurance and their services. In Germany, it is compulsory to take out health insurance. A distinction is made between statutory and private health insurance. These are two different systems and you cannot switch between them freely.

Do UK citizens need health insurance in Germany?

To get medically necessary state healthcare in Germany, you need a Global Health Insurance Card ( GHIC ) or a European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ). The NHS's getting healthcare abroad webpage has details about: how to apply for a GHIC. how to get temporary cover if you lose your card or it does not arrive in time.

Is health insurance necessary in Germany?

Health insurance during your studies in Germany. As mentioned before: Every person in Germany is required to have health insurance – and so are you! This applies not only to international students, but also if you participate in a preparatory course or a Studienkolleg .

What happens if a tourist gets sick in Germany?

Illness or injury. In Germany, you should only go to a hospital's emergency department if you need urgent medical care in an emergency. If you have an illness or injury that is not classed as an emergency, the normal course of action is to go to see a doctor in a doctor's surgery.

Do I Need Health Insurance If I'm Just Visiting Germany? - Germany Made Simple

Can I go to a hospital in Germany without an insurance card?

You can also go directly to an emergency department of a hospital. They will assess your condition. If it is not an emergency, you can also call 116117 at the weekend or at night. Note: You will always receive treatment in an emergency, even without an insurance card.

What happens if I don't have any health insurance?

Without health insurance, you may have to pay the full cost of any medical care you receive, including preventive care. Health insurance is important for other reasons, as well: if you do get sick or suddenly need emergency care, health insurance plans help cover some of those costs.

Is emergency healthcare free in Germany?

Emergency services at the hospital are free in Germany, but you may be required to pay for certain services, for example, a EUR 10 fee for the ambulance.

Do UK citizens still need a European health insurance card?

If you're a UK national, resident in the UK and travelling to any EU country it's important you take a valid Ghic, or an existing Ehic that's still in date, along with you. Anyone travelling with you should take one too. Present the card if you need to use that country's emergency or state medical care services.

What to do if you get sick in Germany?

What to Do When Sick or Injured in Germany

1. Emergencies. If you have a medical emergency, you should call 112. ...
2. Urgent Care. If you need medical assistance but it's not life threatening, you can call 116 117. ...
3. Finding a doctor. ...
4. Primary care physicians. ...
5. Specialists.

How much does it cost to see a doctor in Germany without insurance?

What if I don't have health insurance in Germany? If you're visiting Germany and don't have health insurance in the country, you can still see a doctor. You will, however, have to find a private doctor and be responsible for the cost of the visit — a GP consultation without medical insurance costs from €30 to €60.

What happens if I don't have insurance?

If you don't insure your vehicle you will get a Fixed Penalty Notice and if you still don't insure it, it could be seized, clamped or destroyed or you could be taken back to court.

What is the minimum income for health insurance in Germany?

If your gross salary is less than 77,400 euro a year (as of 2026), you must be insured by a statutory health insurance company. The general statutory health insurance rate is set at a standardised 14.6% of the gross salary. Both the employer and employee pay 7.3% of the insurance rate.

Is it worth it to go without health insurance?

If you have a medical emergency (they're more common than most people think), and you're uninsured, you're taking on the unnecessary financial risk of having to pay potentially enormous medical bills out of your own pocket.

What are the dangers of not having health insurance?

Lack of health insurance coverage may negatively affect health. Uninsured adults are less likely to receive preventive services for chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

Do medical bills go away if you don't pay?

By hospital or provider write-offs

Some providers write off uncollected bills after a certain period has passed, typically when they determine the patient cannot or will not pay. This is largely an accounting action, though, and the debt may still be assigned to collections.

Does NHS cover me in Germany?

There are different rules if you're visiting Germany - find out how to get healthcare cover abroad with a UK-issued Global Health Insurance Card ( GHIC ) or European Health Insurance Card ( EHIC ) on the NHS website. You must have health insurance cover to live in Germany.

Is it illegal to not have health insurance in Germany?

Insurance is compulsory

This is why all citizens who reside in Germany are required to take out health insurance.

Do German citizens pay for health insurance?

Almost 87% of the population – more than 70 million people – have public ("statutory") health insurance. Everyone who has public health insurance in Germany is entitled to the same health care if they get ill – regardless of how much they pay for their insurance each month (the premium).

Is dental care free in Germany?

Public health insurance covers the costs of dental treatment and dentures, provided they are part of standard dental care in Germany. Covered are only basic treatments; for all other dental services and many more specialized procedures, you must pay out of pocket.

Can I go to the hospital if I don't have my insurance card?

If you have a serious medical problem, hospitals must treat you regardless of whether you have insurance. This includes situations that meet the definition of an emergency. Some situations may not be considered true emergencies, such as: Going to the ER for non-life-threatening care.