Health insurance
In Germany health insurance is compulsory. All foreign researchers and their family members need a travel health insurance when applying for a visa for Germany. You are not allowed to enter Germany without having health insurance.
If you intend to stay longer than three months, you must have a comprehensive health insurance. In this case, we recommend that you contact a German health insurance company before entering Germany, so that relevant risks are covered from your first day in Germany.
There are 2 different types of health insurance in Germany, depending on your status at your institute:
- Research stay based on a fellowship:
You have to take out private insurance coverage. Some insurances offer special rates for fellows. For further information please check the EURAXESS homepage. - Research stay with employment contract:
Depending on the kind of contract and your income, you have to take out the German statutory health insurance or private insurance.There are various insurance companies in Berlin (e.g. Techniker Krankenkasse, Barmer Ersatzkasse, DAK Berlin, City BKK, etc).
For more details please check also "When you arrive in Berlin".
Further information about the German health care system in various languages please find here: http://www.1a.net/krankenversicherung/international
