Healthcare system in Germany

In order to receive medical assistance in Germany, you need health insurance. The majority of the German population is covered by statutory health insurance.

Insured persons pay a monthly contribution for this. For employees, the amount of the contribution is based on their income. There are separate contribution rates for different life situations. Family members are insured free of charge under certain conditions. Employers make a further contribution.

All contributions flow into the health fund. From there, the money is distributed to the health insurance funds. The health insurance funds then cover the costs of medical care. Associations of statutory health insurance physicians and other state bodies ensure that the care system between health insurance funds and doctors works.

When you take out health insurance with a health insurance company of your choice, you will receive a health insurance card. You must present this before every visit to the doctor.

Additional services subject to a charge

You will have to pay co-payments or deductibles for certain services. Sometimes subsidies are also provided by the state or charitable organizations. In addition, a market for individual supplementary services "IgeL" has developed. These are usually preventive programs that are not part of the insurance benefit.

Private health insurance

A smaller proportion of the population has private health insurance. The premiums for private health insurance depend on the desired benefits, the general state of health and the age of the insured person. In order to become a member of private health insurance, employees must meet certain requirements.