Your personal route
Choose health insurance
A comparison of GKV and PKV in Germany: who must have public insurance, when private insurance is available, how much contributions cost in 2026, and which risks expats, students, employees and freelancers should consider.
- I recently arrived in Germany
- Insurance and healthcare
- Choose health insurance
Resources and next steps
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Articles that directly answer the selected question.
Private or Public Health Insurance in Germany: What to Choose in 2026 A comparison of GKV and PKV in Germany: who must have public insurance, when private insurance is available, how much contributions cost in 2026, and which risks expats, students, employees and freelancers should consider. Open article Health Insurance in Germany: GKV, PKV, and Premiums in 2026 How health insurance works in Germany, how GKV and PKV differ, who is eligible for private insurance, and what premiums are important to consider in 2026. Open article Health Insurance in Germany: How GKV, PKV, and Pflegeversicherung Work How health insurance works in Germany in 2026: who needs GKV or PKV, how much the premiums cost, what Pflegeversicherung covers, and how to sign up for insurance after moving. Open article Health Insurance in Germany: GKV, PKV, Premiums, and Choices in 2026 How health insurance works in Germany: the differences between GKV and PKV, who can choose private insurance, and how family coverage, the eGK, ePA, and premiums work. Open article Private Health Insurance in Germany: Who PKV Is Suitable For and How It Differs from GKV How private health insurance works in Germany: who can switch to PKV, how contributions are calculated, what happens with family, children, sick leave, and returning to GKV. Open article Health Insurance in Germany: GKV, PKV, Pflegeversicherung, and Supplemental Policies An overview of health insurance in Germany: mandatory Krankenversicherung, public GKV, private PKV, Pflegeversicherung, and supplemental insurance for dental care, eyeglasses, and inpatient care. Open article Die Techniker in Germany: What TK Insurance Covers and Who It Is Suitable For An overview of Die Techniker statutory health insurance in Germany: contributions, services, app, bonus programme, online services, and important checks before choosing TK. Open article Germany’s Insurance System: GKV, PKV, Long-Term Care Insurance and Additional Policies An overview of insurance in Germany for foreigners: compulsory health insurance, the difference between GKV and PKV, 2026 contributions, long-term care insurance, students, employees, freelancers and supplementary insurance. Open article
What to do step by step
Individual actions and stages to complete.
Family Insurance in Germany: Who Can Be Covered Under the GKV for Free Open article First Steps After Moving to Germany: Registration, Residence Permit, Bank, Work, and Insurance A practical checklist for your first weeks in Germany: registering your address, visiting the Foreigners’ Registration Office, opening a bank account, looking for a job, and getting health insurance. Open article The First 90 Days in Germany: A Checklist for Registration, Bank Accounts, Insurance, Doctors, and a Residence Permit A practical plan for settling in after moving to Germany: what to do in the first days, weeks, and months to avoid delays with your documents, bank account, insurance, and residence permit. Open article How to Move to Germany with the Whole Family: Visas, Money, Insurance, and Children Open article
Prepare your documents
Mandatory conditions, documents, and evidence.
Moving to Germany with an EU Passport: Rules for EU Citizens and Their Families How EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens can move to Germany: entry, 90-day rule, work, housing, health insurance, family, Aufenthaltskarte, and Daueraufenthalt. Open article EU Blue Card in Germany in 2026: requirements, salary and documents Open article
What else may help
Articles that provide additional context.
How to Change Public Health Insurance in Germany How to switch to another Krankenkasse in Germany: when you can change GKV providers, how Zusatzbeitrag works, which deadlines matter, and what to check before switching. Open article How Much Does It Cost to Be a Student in Germany: Monthly and Annual Budgets A breakdown of student expenses in Germany: Sperrkonto, rent, insurance, food, transportation, communication, semester fees, and part-time work—without any exaggerated promises. Open article Insurance in Germany: Mandatory, Essential and Additional Policies Open article Incoming Insurance for Germany: What to Check Before Applying for a Visa and Entering the Country How to choose Incoming insurance for Germany: visa requirements, coverage, validity periods, restrictions, Care Concept, and manual verification of policy terms. Open article Freelancing in Germany for Foreigners: Visa, Taxes and Freiberufler Registration How a foreigner can become a freelancer in Germany: the difference between Freiberufler and Gewerbe, residence permission, registration with the Finanzamt, VAT, insurance and Scheinselbstständigkeit risks. Open article What Is Covered by Public Health Insurance in Germany What’s covered by GKV in Germany: doctors, hospitals, medications, dental care, pregnancy, sick leave, copayments, and services that often have to be paid for separately. Open article Dental Supplementary Insurance in Germany: When Is It Really Worth Having? An overview of how dental treatment is typically paid for in Germany, what GKV covers, why Zahnzusatzversicherung may be useful, and which tariff terms require especially close attention. Open article How to Prepare for Moving to Germany: A Checklist for Documents, Visas, and First Steps A practical checklist for preparing to move to Germany: language, visa or Chancenkarte, Blue Card, housing, Anmeldung, insurance, banking, and documents. Open article
