Incoming-Versicherung

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 a bridge product, not a regular health insurance. Coverage is deliberately narrow, premiums are modest, and the typical term is capped at five years (60 months). Some providers cap at 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 that covers the entire intended stay. A conventional PKV cannot be issued to someone without an established residence, so an Incoming product covers the window between visa approval and arrival.

• Language students and au-pairs. Stays under a specific course or programme where GKV membership is not automatic.

• 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 it typically covers

Coverage is basic and varies by provider, but usually includes:

• Outpatient doctor visits for acute illness

• Hospital stays for emergency treatment

• Prescribed medications for covered treatments

• Emergency dental care

• Medically necessary transport

What it typically does not cover:

• Pre-existing conditions: almost always excluded

• Routine preventive check-ups

• Chronic care, fertility, psychotherapy

• Planned procedures scheduled before arrival

• Dental treatment beyond emergencies

Read the policy before you rely on it. The product category is consistent in shape but the details between insurers vary a lot.

The Versicherungspflicht trap

Here is the pitfall that catches most expats. German law (§ 193 Abs. 3 VVG) requires every resident to hold health insurance that substantially mirrors public cover, the so-called "substantive insurance" rule. Most Incoming policies do not meet that standard on their own.

What this means in practice:

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

• Once you are registered as a resident (Anmeldung complete, residence permit issued for long-term stay, employed by a German employer), your statutory obligation under § 193 Abs. 3 VVG kicks in (with § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 13 SGB V as the GKV-side Auffangversicherung (fallback insurance) if you fall through), you need GKV or proper PKV within a short window

• Trying to stay on an Incoming product indefinitely to avoid the GKV/PKV choice is not legal and will eventually trigger back-contributions

For non-EU nationals on specific permits (Working Holiday, au-pair, short-term language course), the rules bend differently, specific visa categories come with their own insurance requirements that Incoming products are built to meet. If that is your category, the Incoming is the right tool for the whole stay.

Why moving on from Incoming matters

Incoming is designed for the genuine bridge window, the first few weeks after arrival before proper cover is in place. Past that window, German law treats you as uninsured, because Incoming does not count as substitutive Krankenvollversicherung (full-cover health insurance) under § 193 VVG. The Auffangtatbestand (fallback-coverage clause) then applies: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 13 SGB V on the GKV side, § 193 Abs. 3 VVG with mandatory Basistarif on the PKV side. The system catches up with you eventually. 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 you delay proper cover past the bridge adds to that back-bill. Start the proper-cover conversation 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. Most Incoming policies allow early cancellation; some prorate the refund. If your PKV application takes longer than expected (health assessment queries, document follow-ups), you can usually extend the Incoming policy for a month at a time.