The healthcare system in Germany is highly-rated, with the Legatum Prosperity Index ranking it at 12th in the world based on basic physical and mental health, health infrastructure and preventative care. Access to healthcare in Germany is so fast that they don’t even collect data on waiting times. Being a dual-healthcare system means it is made up of both compulsory and private healthcare.
Citizens and expat residents are automatically covered by public health insurance in Germany if you earn below €56,250 per year. You are typically taxed 7% of your annual salary to cover your healthcare contributions, which is then matched by your employer. The contributions cannot be claimed back regardless of whether you have required care or not.
Public health insurance provides cover for the following areas:
The people who usually opt for private insurance are young people earning a high salary. Insurance companies are likely to offer them an extensive range of services and low premiums due to their age. The government regulates the private sector to ensure overcharging does not take place and that people are not taken advantage of financially if their income decreases. Private health insurance offers everything public insurance does with additional benefits such as:
It is extremely important to have your health insurance in place before settling into Germany to save you from medical costs should you get sick. See our section on health insurance for details or for more up-to-date news, check out our expat health blog at ExpatHealth.org