SBK explains: What options for health insurance do I have in Germany?

The health insurance system in Germany may be excellent, but navigating it as a foreigner is not always as simple as you would like. That’s why Siemens-Betriebskrankenkasse, one of the country’s largest statutory health insurance funds, has created a new tool for expats to check their options. 

Germany offers one of the most comprehensive healthcare systems in the world, to support you in the event of illness. Everyone who works or studies in Germany contributes to the healthcare system via contributions to a health insurance fund - thus ensuring they are covered if they should feel unwell or need medical advice. 

As an expat, can I get health insurance in Germany?

When it comes to health insurance, expats in Germany have two choices: public (statutory) or private insurance. Whether you are eligible for statutory health insurance depends on a number of different factors. 

One of the easiest ways of checking out your options is the free expat health insurance tool, created by Siemens-Betriebskrankenkasse. You can use the tool to: 

• Check your social security status
• See your insurance options
• Save your result as a PDF, for submission to your employer
• Try it out now!

SBK Siemens-Betriebskrankenkasse: Personal advice makes all the difference

If you have any further questions, or if your case is complex, you can also receive free advice from the experts at SBK. 

When it comes to your health, top-class advice is especially important, in addition to strong services. At SBK, you get this from your personal consultant - advice that you can trust, and that is individual and tailored to your situation. 

Your personal consultant is on your side right from the start. They can answer all of your questions about your health cover, help you submit forms and applications, find recommended specialists, and come up with individual solutions for you from SBK’s services. 

This is the reason why SBK’s customer service always gets the highest ratings from those who know it best: their customers. 

The benefits of SBK

SBK offers individualised solutions for its customers, including special services like the Personal Specialist and Hospital Search, which can help you find a specialist in your area. SBK will even arrange an appointment with a specialist for you directly, so you can get better, faster. All of that for a fair, affordable contribution.

Some of the other benefits of SBK health insurance include: 

• English-speaking consultant
• Free family insurance
• (Online) psychological counselling
• Early detection screenings for men and women
• SBK Healthy Back
• Outpatient surgery
• SBK Appointments Service

The generally applicable rate for statutory health insurance is currently 14,6% of your salary, and the additional contribution for SBK is 1,3% - making a contribution rate of 15,9% altogether. Of that, your employer pays half. 

Get in touch

If you have any further questions about health insurance in Germany or the Siemens-Betriebskrankenkasse, you can get in touch to have your questions answered in a personal conversation.