Healthcare insurance Germany

Healthcare in Germany is known for its high quality, and there aren’t usually any long waiting times. You can choose between two types of healthcare insurance: public healthcare insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) and private healthcare insurance (private Krankenversicherung).

If you’re employed and your income is below a certain limit, you’re obliged to take out public healthcare insurance. You can select which Krankenkasse (healthcare insurance company) you want to use. 

If you’re legally obliged to be insured, your employer will deduct the premium from your salary. The maximum monthly premium depends on your income. Your employer also pays part of the premium to the Krankenkasse. 

If you have public healthcare insurance with a Krankenkasse, you can also take out supplementary insurance with a private insurer. For example, OOM Healthcare insurance.

If you earn more than the income threshold or are self-employed, you have a choice between public healthcare insurance and/or private health insurance. Keep in mind that it can be difficult to switch back to public insurance once you’ve opted for private insurance.

Private healthcare insurance from German insurers often offers more extensive cover than public insurance, and you usually don’t have to pay a personal contribution for treatment. 

However, the premium for private insurance is higher and depends on your health and age. In some cases, the insurer can also reject your insurance application.

The answer is simple: If you’re registered in Germany, you’re obliged to take out healthcare insurance. 

If you’re only staying in Germany temporarily, for example, on holiday, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to the necessary medical care in line with the applicable rules and rates. You can apply for an EHIC via your Dutch health insurer. It may still make sense to take out travel insurance with medical cover. 

If you want to or are obliged to take out public healthcare insurance, choose a Krankenkasse and register. 

The Krankenkasse will collect the premiums and organise your healthcare insurance. There may be minor differences in premiums and services between different Krankenkasses.  For more information, see the list of all Krankenkasses (in German). 

• Information from the Dutch government about living or working in Belgium and Germany (in Dutch)
• If you receive a Dutch state pension (AOW) or social security benefit in the Netherlands and you live in Germany, please contact the CAK
• Public insurance joint health insurers and GKV spitzenverband (in German)
• Everything you need to know about German public healthcare can be found on the website of the German Ministry of Health (in German)

If you remain registered in the Netherlands, your Dutch national health insurance will cover emergency care anywhere in the world up to a maximum of the cost in the Netherlands. Dutch national health insurance generally doesn’t reimburse the cost of repatriation or evacuation in the case of illness or an accident.  If you’re no longer registered in the Netherlands, you’re no longer entitled to Dutch national health insurance and you must arrange your own insurance.  

Healthcare in Germany can be quite different to what you’re used to in the Netherlands. Not every country has national health insurance, there may be strict rules and waiting times may apply. Healthcare costs can also be much higher than in the Netherlands. Without proper cover, this can leave you with unexpectedly high bills. 

With OOM, you don't have to worry. We’ll make sure everything is properly taken care of. 

We’re here for people with extraordinary stories, who want to be well insured. We always offer a solution that will suit your situation during your stay in Germany. 

Our healthcare insurance gives you certainty when Dutch national health insurance no longer applies or doesn’t provide sufficient cover. Your OOM insurance can also serve as a supplement to local insurance in Germany. Providing you with proper cover for costs outside your local policy. This is especially important in a country where the rules are different to in the Netherlands, or healthcare costs can be unexpectedly high. 

With OOM Healthcare insurance you can: 

• Insure yourself while staying abroad: If your Dutch national health insurance expires and you can’t or don’t want to use the local healthcare system, our international healthcare insurance provides you with the certainty you’re looking for
• Insure yourself while you wait for your local insurance to come through
• Get additional insurance if your Dutch national health insurance or local public insurance are not enough

OOM's insurance is for anyone who wants to be properly insured in Germany. Whether you’re only staying abroad temporarily or permanently emigrating. Our solutions suit different situations, such as: 

• Expats and entrepreneurs going to Germany for work, or who need insurance to be able to register locally
• Dutch nationals who do not have, or who are no longer entitled to Dutch national health insurance 
• Students and travellers temporarily staying in Germany
• Emigrants permanently settling in Germany
• Backpackers or global travellers who want to avoid unexpected costs during their adventure in Germany

OOM provides worldwide cover and helps you avoid unexpected bills. This is reassuring in a country where healthcare is regulated differently than in the Netherlands. 

Choosing OOM means choosing certainty that travels with you. Wherever you are in the world:

• Worldwide cover: Including if you visit the Netherlands or travel while living abroad
• Always available: Our Assistance Centre is available 24/7
• Tailor-made: You choose the cover that best suits your situation
• Extra certainty: Supplement your insurance easily with additional options, such as household contents, personal accident or liability insurance

With OOM you can arrange your own healthcare insurance quickly and effectively. Helping you focus on your plans in Germany, without unexpected worries.

Do you want to start your adventure without worry? You can calculate your premium easily online and apply for your insurance immediately.  

If you’ve any questions, our team will be happy to help you.

Germany is a stable and safe country for temporary or permanent residence. Medical care is easily accessible and of high quality. However, other rules apply for your healthcare insurance once you register in Germany. This may affect your Dutch health insurance and how you’re insured for medical expenses. Always check the current travel advice from The Netherlands Worldwide (in Dutch).

To find out exactly what this means for you, you need to look at your personal situation, the rules of the public insurance (Krankenkasse) and the options for private or supplementary insurance. This will help avoid any surprises, and you can be sure that you’re well insured.