Health Insurance is a complex subject and varies from Country to Country. It is invariably subject to local legislation.

You should seek advice from authorities or health insurance agencies within your country of residence or proposed residence. Do be wary of advice issued in other countries, or even on the internet, that do not specifically consider the legislation in your country of residence or proposed residence.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS IN GERMANY IS BASED ON THE CURRENT GERMAN LAW

AS AT 1 MARCH 2007.

NEW LAWS ARE BEING PHASED IN BETWEEN 2007-2009

SEE LATEST NEWS PAGE FOR UPDATES.

Probably the most important personal requirement for Expatriates Worldwide is the need for adequate Health Care insurance.

Unlike the United Kingdom, and other countries where State Welfare provides health insurance, in many countries there is no automatic right to State provision for health insurance and you must make your own arrangements.

The provision of health insurance in many countries depends on employment status.

The Providers

There are a large number of National and International Private Insurance providers, varying considerably in contribution levels and extent of cover. The extent of cover may sometimes be difficult to determine so you should pay particular attention to the exclusions clauses.

National insurances are provided by the State or National companies contracted by the State. The Terms and Conditions are often only provided in the National language, and may be difficult to fully understand.

A number of International Insurance Companies provide authorized cover in many countries worldwide– it is important to ensure they are authorized in your specific country of residence, as there are a number, sometimes well known names, that are not.

Details can be obtained from Spectrum International

International Schools

There are special arrangements for Teachers and Staff at International Schools. If you are in this category please ask for further details.

For Clients in Germany only

The following is very complex!

Please contact Spectrum direct for clarification of your own individual circumstances and appropriate advice

Employed:

If you are fully employed on the German economy, your employer is required to ensure that you have adequate and appropriate health care insurance as part of your salary package. The rates will depend on your salary level but are generally around a total of 14% of your Gross salary

Your employer is required to pay approx. 50% of this cost - up to a fixed salary level - currently €47,700 annual gross – (Jahresarbeitsentgeldgrenze - JAE). The remaining approx 50% is an automatic deduction from your salary. This insurance is known as GESETZLICHEKRANKENVERSICHERUNG (GKV) (Statutory Medical insurance).

GKV contributions in excess of the JAE, (less the maximum level provided by the employer), will be deducted from your salary, up to a specific ceiling.

Your employer will ask you to select one of the, almost 300, Statutory insurers, enrol with them and then present the details to your employer. The employer will then process everything thereafter

If you are employed and have been continuously employed for a period of 3 years (anywhere-worldwide) with a salary above the JAE, and you can provide evidence of this, you may opt for Private insurance instead of the GKV.

If you have a family it is important to look at the relavent costs for all your family, as private insurance is offered only on an individual basis.

This means each member of your family would have to have their own individual insurance, whereas GKV is offered on a family basis.

If you are single and, generally under 55, then international private insurance is likely to be the most inexpensive option.

If you have been insured with GKV and choose to opt out in favour of Private insurance, for example on earning above the JAE for the required period, you may be excluded from returning to the GKV, unless you become employed again with a salary at or below the JAE.

Self-employed:

As a self employed person (freelance) you may not be eligible for GKV and must take Private insurance.

There is a view that as a self-employed person you are under no obligation to have any medical insurance whatsoever.

Legislation is progressing to ensure that all residents in Germany have adequate medical insurance and this is proposed to be 'in place' by 2010. Currently it is possible to ‘slip through this net’. However, failure to comply once the legislation is in effect could, not only have serious medical consequences, but also other legal implications. It is of course inadvisable not to have health insurance. PLEASE DON'T believe that YOU are always healthy and don't need it - until you have an accident - and then it is too late!.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that you select an approriate and adequate insurance that complies with the general requirements of the German legislation. This is vital if you are applying for a Residents Permit.

Unemployed:

If you have been employed in Germany or are otherwise entitled to German unemployment benefit (e.g. benefit exported from another EU Member State), you will be insured with a GKV through your unemployment benefit. If you are not eligible for unemployment benefit you must take Private insurance.

GKV

There are a number of GKV providers, known as Krankenkassen (KK). You normally have a personal choice as to which KK you wish to use. Some are also specific to particular trades or professions. The KKs are competitive in respect of contribution levels, varying between approximately 12-14% of your Gross salary, but also vary in levels of the cover provided, and efficiency. Some of the less expensive are notoriously inefficient, so it pays to be with one of the recommended and larger KKs such as AOK, TK or BEK.