Insurance, accreditation lists and healthcare procedures.
This page provides core information based on official sources; the full module (tools + pathfinder) is on the roadmap. The Advisory is always open for deeper questions.
Everyone residing in Germany must hold health insurance: §5 SGB V governs mandatory statutory insurance (GKV); §193(3) VVG obliges everyone outside GKV to hold private cover. Remaining uninsured is not a legal option.
Source: SGB V §5 (Gesetze im Internet) · Valid from 2025-01-01
Employees below the compulsory-insurance threshold are mandatorily insured in the GKV. In 2026 that threshold is €77,400 per year / €6,450 per month; higher earners may opt for private insurance (PKV). The choice has long-term effects — switching follows fixed rules.
A GKV member's spouse and children can be covered at no extra premium under family insurance (§10 SGB V) — subject to residence in Germany, no own mandatory insurance and an income limit. Children are covered until 18 as a rule, 23 if not employed, 25 while in education.
Source: SGB V §10 (Gesetze im Internet) · Valid from 2025-01-01
Travel/incoming insurance bought for the visa covers only the journey and the first days; once you reside in Germany, the insurance obligation must be met via GKV or PKV. For the post-arrival order, see the First Steps guide: registration → bank → finalising insurance.
Yes. Mandatory statutory insurance is governed by §5 SGB V; residents outside the GKV are obliged by §193(3) VVG to hold private health insurance. Everyone residing in Germany must be covered via GKV or PKV — being uninsured is not a legal option.
Source: VVG §193 (Gesetze im Internet) · Valid from 2025-01-01
For employees, annual income decides: below the compulsory-insurance threshold (2026: €77,400 per year / €6,450 per month) GKV membership is mandatory; above it you may choose PKV. The choice has long-term effects — returning from PKV to GKV in particular follows fixed rules, so study the conditions before deciding.
In the GKV yes — subject to conditions: with residence in Germany, no own mandatory insurance and income within the limit, spouse and children are covered at no extra premium under family insurance (§10 SGB V). Children until 18 as a rule, 23 if not employed, 25 while in education. In the PKV each person is insured individually.
Source: SGB V §10 (Gesetze im Internet) · Valid from 2025-01-01