Expat health insurance is a common and great option for expats first arriving in Europe and settling in. It is an affordable insurance option with minimal eligibility criteria, meaning it is quick and easy to sign up for and provides you with initial health insurance.
However, unlike a statutory insurance (such as public or full private insurances), expat is designed as a short term insurance that covers basic health care needs.
What’s covered?
Expat insurance will cover you for new medical conditions that commence after your insurance cover starts (and after the waiting period if that applies to you). This includes both outpatient appointments (e.g. an appointment with a general practitioner - GP), or inpatient hospital treatments. This coverage applies specifically to treatment with a registered medical doctor.
There is limited additional for non-medical treatments, such as dental and physical therapy, which will be covered in more detail below.
First, let's break down the coverage in a simplified comparison table so you can have an initial overview.
Coverage (per insurance year) | Basic Expat Plan |
Out-patient medical treatments | ✅ |
Dental treatment for pain relief | €500 |
Preventative dental treatment (eg dental cleanings) | X |
Medications and surgical dressings | ✅ |
Radiation therapy, light therapy, and other physical treatments | ✅ |
Massages, compresses and inhalations | €300 |
Therapeutic aids prescribed following an accident | €500 |
General medical aids (with prior approval) | X |
Repairs for existing medical aids | X |
Visual aids (following a 0.5 diopter or higher vision loss) | X |
Operations | ✅ |
In-patient medical treatment under general care insurance (multiple-bed room without treatment by private doctor) | ✅ |
Screening check-ups for early detection of cancers in accordance with the statutory programs introduced in Germany | X |
One skin cancer check-up | X |
Up to 80% of the eligible cost for medically required dentures | X |
Dental check-ups | X |
Pregnancy treatment due to complaints | ✅ |
Pregnancy examinations and deliveries | X |
Ambulance transport to in-patient treatment | ✅ |
Ambulance transport to out-patient treatment | X |
Repatriation, if medically necessary | ✅ |
Repatriation of mortal remains to the home country or funeral in the Federal Republic of Germany | €10,000 |
Tele-medical consultation | X |
Travel vaccinations | X |
Fitness applications | X |
Pre-existing conditions | X |
Gynaecological check ups | X |
Regular vaccinations | X |
Psychotherapy | X |
Now, let's provide some further information on the coverage points listed above.
Additional details on coverage on the basic expat plan
Dental treatment:
€500 per year for pain-relieving restorative dentistry including simple fillings and repairs of existing dentures as long as this treatment is performed or prescribed by a dentist. Please note that this applies to new dental issues that occur after your insurance begins and not pre-existing issues or routine check ups.
Physical therapy:
€300 per year is covered for physical therapy as long as it relates to a new medical issue and there is a referral from a doctor for this treatment (which should be included when you submit your claim)
Travel health cover:
Anywhere within the EU and the Schengen Area, as well as Andorra, Monaco, San Marino, and the Vatican City
Additionally, after 1 year on the expat plan, you will receive coverage for up to 6 weeks of travel to your home country per year
Ambulance transport that leads to an admission and inpatient treatment
Radiation therapy and light therapy
Repatriation if medically necessary
Corona virus and PCR testing:
PCR tests are covered if the test was ordered by a doctor (GP)
What’s not covered?
Pre-existing conditions: any conditions that are known before expat cover starts are considered pre-existing conditions.
Routine check ups: with the exceptions of the dental, cancer and skin check ups that are included in the premium policy, all other routine check ups, and any conditions that might be discovered as a result of a routine check up, are not covered
Preventative and prophylactic treatments
Psychoanalytical and psychotherapeutic treatment
Treatment relating to an addictive disorder
Ambulance transport that does not result in an admission/inpatient stay at a hospital
Allied health (aside from physiotherapy): eg occupational therapy, podiatry, social work, dietetics
Self inflicted injuries
Gynaecological screenings
Fertility or sterility treatments
Holistic/alternative therapies
As expat health insurance is designed for short term use and does not have the same levels of coverage as a statutory insurance, we recommend upgrading to a statutory insurance once you become eligible.
If you have any further questions, or would like to read the full policy terms, feel free to reach out to us.
If you would like to learn more about expat health insurance or would like to sign up, you can do so here.