Health insurance for job seekers in Germany and German course students

Even if you don't work, health insurance is mandatory in Germany. If you have no job and are looking for work, you have two options: private temporary insurance (between €36 and €104/month depending on age and plan) or voluntary public insurance, which costs from approx. €270/month in 2026 and has prior requirements. For most recent arrivals without a job, temporary insurance is the most affordable option. We help you check for free which one applies to you.

Yes, in some cases. If your spouse or registered partner has public insurance (GKV) in Germany and your income does not exceed €565/month (€603/month if you work a minijob), you can join their family insurance for free. In that case you don't need the temporary insurance. If you don't meet those conditions, temporary insurance is your alternative while you find a job.

No. A minijob (up to €603 gross per month) does not include health insurance: you need to insure yourself separately. You can do this with private temporary insurance (from €36/month) or with voluntary public insurance (from approx. €270/month). Only when you earn more than €603 gross per month as an employee do you automatically join public employee insurance.

It is the most suitable option if you come to Germany for a German course and/or are actively looking for work. It is a real, affordable alternative to voluntary public insurance, especially if you don't meet the Krankenkassen requirements or if the cost of public insurance (from approx. €270/month) doesn't fit your situation.

Yes, you can take it out even if you are already in Germany. However, you cannot be under active treatment for a serious illness at the time of signing. If that is the case, we would need to look at other options. This insurance covers illnesses that appear after the contract starts, not pre-existing ones.

The cost depends mainly on your age and the plan you choose. There is a basic plan and a premium plan with different levels of coverage. Prices range between €36 and €104 per month (first-year rates). You can see all available rates at: Temporary health insurance rates.

You can take it out for the period you need, up to a maximum of 5 years. You decide the start and end dates. If you find a job before the contract ends, we cancel it at no cost and handle your switch to public employee insurance.

No. As soon as you find a job paying more than €603 gross per month, we compare Krankenkassen to find the best fit for you and handle the cancellation of your temporary insurance, all free of charge. This type of insurance poses no problems when switching to public employee insurance.

The insurance can be cancelled before its end date for three reasons: (1) you start working as an employee earning more than €603 gross/month, (2) you return to your home country before the agreed date, or (3) you get married and move onto your spouse's insurance. In none of these cases are there cancellation fees.

There is no physical health card, but once you take out the insurance we send you by email all the information and documents you need to present at the doctor's office. There is also no closed list of doctors: you can see whichever doctor suits you best.

Insurers do not accept people who need active treatment for chronic or long-term illnesses. We also recommend not visiting a doctor during the first month after signing. This insurance is recommended while taking a German course and/or actively looking for work. It is not a long-term replacement for public insurance.