Incoming-Versicherung: incoming in German private health insurance

What is an Incoming-Versicherung?

An Incoming-Versicherung is a specialised short-term private health policy for people coming to Germany from abroad. Most expats meet it at the border of their new life here: it covers the weeks or months between arriving and having a proper long-term German insurance in place, whether that turns out to be GKV or PKV.

It is built as a bridge product. Terms run up to five years (60 months) at most; some tariffs end after one or two years.

When it is the right product

Common scenarios where an Incoming policy is the correct tool:

• Visa applications. Many German visa categories require proof of health insurance for the intended stay, and an Incoming policy can provide it until your long-term cover starts. Full private health insurance can also be taken out before you move. Whether and how depends on several factors, and we are happy to help: book a call.

• Freelance and digital-nomad arrivals on specific permit types. Before the residence registration (Anmeldung) is complete and before a long-term contract is possible.

• First few weeks after arrival. While you sort out the Anmeldung, open a bank account, sign an employment contract, and set up the proper insurance.

What does an Incoming policy cover?

Benefits and conditions differ from tariff to tariff. Whether one fits your situation is something we are happy to check: book a call.

Does an Incoming policy meet the duty to be insured?

It depends on who you are. If you are required to join the GKV, for example as an employee earning below the JAEG, an Incoming policy never replaces it. Everyone else living in Germany must hold health insurance that meets a statutory minimum (§ 193 Abs. 3 VVG; see Versicherungspflicht). Whether an expat or Incoming tariff meets it, and for how long, depends on the tariff and its conditions. We are happy to check yours.

What this means in practice:

• An Incoming policy is fine for pre-residence periods (visa issuance, temporary visits, first arrival)

• Once you live here (Anmeldung complete, residence permit for a long-term stay, a German employer), the duty to be insured applies: the GKV if you are required to join it, otherwise cover that meets the statutory minimum. If you have neither, the fallback rules apply (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 13 SGB V on the GKV side, § 193 Abs. 3 VVG on the private side)

• Using an Incoming policy in place of a GKV membership you are required to have, or one that does not meet the minimum, leads to back-contributions later

When do you need to move on from an Incoming policy?

When you have to join the GKV, or when your policy does not meet the statutory minimum for people living in Germany. Some expat tariffs can be kept for up to 60 months under certain conditions; others are built for the first weeks only. Without qualifying cover, German law treats you as uninsured once you live here, and the fallback rules apply: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 13 SGB V on the GKV side, § 193 Abs. 3 VVG with the Basistarif on the private side. The practical sting: the GKV will always claim contributions retroactively for the uninsured period once you finally enrol, and many private insurers will too. Every month without qualifying cover adds to that back-bill. Start the conversation about long-term cover as early as you can, ideally before the visa even arrives.

Transitioning out

The standard arc for a typical employed expat:

1. Day 0: Arrive with an Incoming policy active 2. First 2 weeks: Complete Anmeldung, open bank account, sign employment contract 3. Within the first month: Employer adds you to the GKV, OR apply for PKV if your salary is above the JAEG 4. GKV/PKV start date: Cancel or let the Incoming policy expire

Transitioning smoothly requires a bit of timing. Check whether your Incoming policy allows early cancellation and refunds unused months, and whether it can be extended month by month if your PKV application takes longer than expected (health questions, document follow-ups).