Moving to Germany for work, study or family? Then the embassy will ask for proof of health insurance with your visa application. This is what to bring, in plain words. Our advice is free for you, see our initial information.
Want the full picture? Read our guide to health insurance in Germany for internationals.
The short version
You need insurance that pays for doctor visits and hospital stays, not only emergencies. Your cover must start on the first day of your visa. The embassy that handles your visa has the last word, so check its checklist first.
What kind of insurance does the embassy want?
Public health insurance always counts. A private policy can count too, if it gives essentially the same protection as public insurance.
The Federal Foreign Office says a private policy must at least pay for doctor visits and hospital stays and must not be limited to emergencies. It must not have major exclusions or caps on reimbursement.
A normal travel policy is usually not enough if you stay longer than 90 days. But it can work as a bridge until your public insurance starts, for example when your job starts. Usually, a travel or incoming policy that covers your first three months in Germany is enough for this. Some embassies are stricter, so check yours.
The Foreign Office does not recommend insurers. The embassy decides if your document is good enough.
What do I show as proof?
With public insurance, the insurer confirms that you will be insured from your first work day. You also show a travel or incoming policy for the time before that.
With private insurance, you need a letter or certificate from the insurer. It should show your name, what is covered and any limits, your deductible and the dates. A non-binding quote is usually not enough. Only insurers supervised by BaFin, or EEA insurers notified to offer cover in Germany, can be accepted. Your insurer can tell you if it qualifies.
Here is what people usually bring:
| Your situation | What the embassy needs | What to bring |
|---|---|---|
| Employee in public insurance | Proof that cover starts with your job, plus cover for the time before | Insurer confirmation, travel or incoming policy, employer's declaration |
| Employee above the income limit | Proof of private insurance and its terms | Private insurer's certificate, valid from your visa start |
| Self-employed, Opportunity Card, language course | Private (incoming) insurance for the whole visa time. Self-employed people are usually private | Private insurer's certificate for the full period |
| Family joining someone in public insurance | Family co-insurance may be possible. Cover is needed until it starts | Travel or incoming policy, proof of the family member's insurance |
| Family joining someone in private insurance | Usually private insurance too | Private insurer's certificate |
When must the insurance start?
On the first day of your visa. Without proof of cover from that day, the visa cannot start. If your public insurance begins later, your bridge policy must cover you from the first day of your visa until then. Private cover has to last for the whole visa time.
Our tip: read your embassy's checklist, get the insurance paper, send it with your application, and check that your long-term cover starts when the bridge policy ends.
Public or private health insurance?
Both can meet the visa rule. Which one you can choose depends on your situation.
- Employees are usually in public insurance. One exception is a regular income above the yearly limit. For 2026 that is 77,400 EUR gross per year, or 6,450 EUR per month.
- If self-employment is your main job, you are not insured through an employer.
In our advice, private health insurance is often a good fit up to about age 45, and the longer you stay, the more it tends to pay off. Public insurance is mainly better for a family with one income and two or more children.
Not sure where you stand? Ask for a free quote.
What else does the embassy ask for?
Insurance is only one paper. Most checklists also ask for:
- the visa application form
- a biometric photo
- your passport
- proof of why you come, for example a work contract
- the visa fee
The list depends on your visa type and your embassy. Follow the checklist for your place of residence. Ask if documents need a translation. Example: German Embassy Bern, national visa for employment.
Sources
- Federal Foreign Office: Krankenversicherungsschutz bei Anträgen auf nationale Visa (21.08.2026, German)Official sourceauswaertiges-amt.de
- German Missions in the UK: Health insurance requirements for national (category D) visas (no date on page)uk.diplo.de
- § 2 AufenthG, § 5 AufenthG, § 71 AufenthGOfficial sourcegesetze-im-internet.de
- § 5 SGB V, § 6 SGB V, § 11 SGB VOfficial sourcegesetze-im-internet.de
- § 2 Sozialversicherungs-Rechengrößenverordnung 2026Official sourcegesetze-im-internet.de
All sources accessed on 2026-10-24.
Written by Marco Maurelli, editorial lead · Reviewed by Bettina Ostermann, insurance broker · Last updated: 2026-10-24 · See our initial information and imprint.
This is general information, not individual or legal advice. The embassy decides which documents it accepts. Your age, income and status change the answer. [Get a free quote](/quote) before you decide.
Parts of this article were drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a licensed broker.
Written byMarco Maurelli
Reviewed byBettina Ostermann
