Any expatriate who brings in a monthly income (before deductions) of €400 per month, but remains under the set limit per annum, will find they are obligated to gain state health insurance. Any employee within Germany is subject to mandatory health insurance. Up to a gross salary of €50,840 you are required to source insurance by a statutory health insurance company.
You will also be required to arrange cover with the government run state health insurance if you are a student, on an internship or if you are in secondary education. Pensioners who have been in the statutory health insurance scheme and unemployed persons accepting benefits are all expected to gain state health insurance.
It is possible within a period of three months to join a state health insurance scheme voluntarily, if you have previously been a compulsory member or your membership is terminated and you have qualifying periods of insurance. You can also join voluntarily if;
• You are an employee with an income in your first job that exceeds the set limit, so long as you apply for membership within the first three months of starting work.
• You are disabled, subject to certain other requirements.
• You have received insurance through a family member for a specific minimum period but this insurance has now expired.
A student’s home insurance country, while staying in Germany, can cover students within countries with whom Germany has set a social security agreement, including an insurance clause.
Who can apply for Private Health Insurance?
Any of those outwith the above categories can usually choose private health insurance. However, take note that once you have opted out of the state insurance scheme, it can be incredibly difficult to change back. Opting back is possible under the following very strict policies;
• If you have lost your job or employment position
• Your salary is below the set limit
• You used to be self-employed but now hold a full-time position with a similar income.
If you choose to opt out of statutory health insurance but cannot go back, then the law requires the private insurance company you are with to offer you a basic tariff with identical fees from the statutory insurance. This follows the set rules from 2009 onwards.
For more information on German Social Security, German Payroll, Working in Germany or Contracting in Europe visit the Euro Accountancy & Finance Services website.
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