What it covers
A monthly payout — typically 60–80 % of your net salary — paid until you can work again or until the end of the agreed term
Income protection in Germany
Income protection insurance in Germany
Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung (BU)
If illness or injury stops you from working, BU can replace part of your income. We help you understand BU, check your eligibility, and choose the right cover for your life.
What is Berufsunfähigkeit (BU)?
BU insurance replaces a portion of your income if you can no longer do your job due to illness, injury, or mental health, regardless of whether you could work in a different role.
Who it is for
Anyone who depends on their salary, especially expats without years of German state contributions who would receive little to nothing from the public system
Why it matters
1 in 4 people in Germany becomes unable to work before retirement — and the state pays on average only €900 a month, often far less for newcomers
What is BU
Germany’s public support is usually not enough
In India, income-protection insurance is rare, so many expats arrive without it on their radar. Your salary is your biggest asset, and in Germany the public system barely protects it. For newcomers this matters even more, because state disability benefits usually require years of contributions you do not yet have.
| Aspect | Public Social Security (State) | Private Policy (BU) |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting Period | Requires 5 years of contributions | Covered from Day 1 |
| Eligibility | Applies only if you can’t do any job at all | Applies if you can’t do your specific profession |
| Who is at Risk? | Expats & career starters have 0% coverage initially | Full protection guaranteed from start of policy |
Your income is what you are really insuring
If you could not work for years, everything you rely on, from rent to supporting family back home, depends on your salary. BU replaces that income with a monthly payment so your life does not fall apart.
The German state pays very little
The statutory Erwerbsminderungsrente only pays if you can barely work in any job at all, the amounts are low, and newcomers often have too few contribution years to even qualify.
It is cheapest while you are young and healthy
Premiums are set by your age, job, and health at signing. The earlier you lock it in, the lower and more stable your premium stays for decades.
Not sure if BU makes sense for your job? We will check it with you in a short call.
The amount worth getting right
Find out how much of your income you should protect
In a free 30-minute call we look at your job, your salary, and your plans in Germany, and tell you honestly how much BU cover makes sense for you.
Why bu
What actually causes occupational disability
Many people picture a serious accident, yet most BU claims come from everyday illnesses, and mental health is the single largest cause. These are risks that reach office and IT workers just as much as anyone else.
- Mental illness, including burnout psychische Erkrankungen 33%
- Musculoskeletal conditions Skelett und Bewegungsapparat 20%
- Cancer Krebs 18%
- Other illnesses sonstige Erkrankungen 14%
- Accidents Unfälle 8%
- Heart and circulatory disease Herz und Kreislauf 7%
(Source: Morgen & Morgen, BU claims-cause industry data)
Age & Health
Lock it in while you are young and healthy
Your premium depends on your age and health when you sign. Starting early locks in the lowest possible rates and keeps them stable for decades. Don't wait, secure your income protection while your health record is still completely clean.
IT & Tech Advantage
IT and software roles get the best rates
Desk jobs carry hidden risks, like burnout or mental stress. However, insurers place IT professionals in their lowest risk class due to their qualifications. This means tech experts get maximum coverage for their income at the lowest price available in Germany.
Your income at risk
Your salary supports more than just you
Your salary is the asset BU protects. Move the sliders to see roughly how much net income you would still expect to earn before you turn 67, which is the gap a policy is built to cover if you can no longer work.
Net income still to earn until 67
€1.332.000
That is about 37 years, or 444 months, of net income that depends on your ability to keep working. BU replaces a share you choose if you no longer can.
This is a simple illustration based on your current net income held flat to age 67, so it does not account for raises or inflation. Your actual cover and premium are set on the call.
Before you sign
4 Key Points to Understand First
Small choices in your BU policy make a massive difference later. Here is what we make clear up front:
Health Questions Set Your Rate
Pre-existing conditions matter. We run anonymous pre-checks first so you know where you stand without risk.
Lock It In Early to Save
Age and current health dictate your premiums. Delaying means paying more—or risking uninsurability.
Size It to Your Actual Need
Avoid under-insurance or overpaying. We calibrate your monthly payout directly to your real expenses.
Cover Your Job, Not Any Job
The exact definition matters. We ensure your policy pays if you can’t work in your current specific career.
How we work
We handle everything for you
Total Timeline: 2 to 4 weeks
Most of this time is spent waiting on insurer responses, not doing paperwork.
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Free Consultation
15–30 mins
A quick conversation in English about your job, salary, and plans in Germany so we can size your ideal income protection.
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Health pre-check
In progress
We anonymously submit your health profile to multiple top insurers to see who gives you the best terms with zero risk to your record.
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Tailored Recommendations
Final step
We walk you through clear market offers, compare policy details side-by-side, and lock in your cover in plain English.
Ready to protect your income?
A free 30-minute call in English — no paperwork, no commitment. We size your cover and run an anonymous health pre-check so you know exactly where you stand before signing anything.
Why NEOdirect
Clear guidance for your situation in Germany
BU is a long-term commitment, and the broker you pick shapes how well it holds up. Here is what working with us actually gives you.
Health questions, handled with care
We word every health disclosure precisely, so a small misunderstanding never costs you a surcharge or rejection.
We protect the right amount
We size your cover to your real income and life, not a generic template.
Honest about what you need
If a simpler or smaller policy fits you better, we say so plainly, even when it earns us less.
In your corner on claims
If an insurer ever questions a claim, we take it on in German and argue your case, for the long run.
German insurers we work with
Allianz
AXA
Alte Leipziger
Swiss Life
Nürnberger
Continentale
Hannoversche
Volkswohl Bund
LV 1871
Die Bayerische
See all BU insurers we work with
We are a broker (Versicherungsmakler), so we are not tied to any single insurer and earn the same regardless of which one you choose.
FAQ
Questions Indian expats ask us most about BU
BU (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung) is occupational disability insurance. If illness or injury means you can no longer work in your profession, it pays you an agreed monthly income, usually until a set end age like 67.
For most working expats, yes. Your salary funds your entire life here and back home, and the German state pays very little if you lose the ability to work. BU is how you protect that income.
Health insurance pays your medical bills. BU replaces your salary when you cannot work. They cover completely different risks, and you typically want both.
Only minimally. The Erwerbsminderungsrente pays little, only if you can barely work in any job at all, and newcomers often lack the contribution years to qualify.
It depends on your age, profession, health, and the monthly amount you choose. It is cheapest when you are young and healthy, which is why locking it in early pays off.
As a rule of thumb, enough to cover your essential living costs and obligations, often around 70 to 80% of your net income. We size it precisely to your situation.
They can lead to surcharges, exclusions, or rejection depending on the insurer. We run anonymous pre-checks first so you know what to expect without leaving a mark on your record.
Many policies continue to cover you abroad. We check the specific terms and choose an insurer whose cover fits your plans, including a possible move back to India.
A strong BU pays if you can no longer perform your specific profession, not just any job. The exact wording matters, and we make sure it protects you properly.
Once disability is medically confirmed, the insurer pays your agreed monthly amount. We stay your contact and argue your case in German if a claim is ever questioned.
Your insurance journey
Part of the Established & family package (Month 6–12)
Your income is worth protecting. Let’s talk it through.
No German required. Bring your questions about BU, and we will explain your options clearly and tell you what to do next.
NEOdirect · Insurance broker for expats in Germany