Die Techniker
Statutory health fund
2.69% additional contribution
- Up to €500 per IVF attempt, plus up to €200 on top
- Online vision school for children with amblyopia (Caterna)
- Travel vaccinations covered at 100%, including malaria prophylaxis
First 6 months
Public health insurance (GKV)
Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung
Public health insurance is where most newcomers start, and the legally defined core cover is the same across every fund. Where funds differ is the additional contribution and the extra benefits they add, so it pays to compare before you pick one.
The funds we set you up with
Advice on your side across every major fund
We are not tied to any single insurer, so we compare the leading statutory funds and sign you up with the one that fits your situation. That includes AOK, TK, Barmer, Audi BKK and many more.
AOK
TK
Barmer
Audi BKK
DAK-Gesundheit
IKK classic
KKH
hkk
Knappschaft
+ many more
“I moved from Bangalore to Berlin and had no idea how the funds differed. The team compared them with me in English, explained the additional contribution clearly and signed me up with TK within a few days.”
Three funds worth a look
Compare popular public health funds
Every GKV fund covers the same legally defined basics, so the figure that sets them apart is the additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag) and the extra benefits on top. Here are three funds many of our expat clients shortlist.
HEK
Statutory health fund
2.89% additional contribution
- Higher-quality dentures and crowns via Dentaltrade
- Breast cancer screening covered up to €100
- Up to €500 towards a health-focused trip
Audi BKK
Statutory health fund
2.60% additional contribution
- Lowest additional contribution in this comparison at 2.60%
- Flexible health budget you can spend across many services
- Osteopathy covered for up to four sessions a year
Benefit-by-benefit comparison
The same benefit can look different from one fund to the next, so here is how the three compare across the areas expats ask about most. Open a category to see the detail.
Estimate your monthly contribution
From your gross income to your monthly contribution at each fund.
Included
Included with conditions
Not included
Employment status
Children you are raising
Members aged 23 and over with no children pay an extra 0.6%. From the second child the rate drops by 0.25% per child while you are raising them, up to four children.
Benefit
Die Techniker2.69% contributionJoin TK
HEK2.89% contributionJoin HEK
Audi BKK2.60% contributionJoin Audi BKK
Your monthly contributionYour monthly contribution at each fund
Die TechnikerEnter salary above
HEKEnter salary above
Audi BKKEnter salary above
Benefits and additional contributions can change over time and some depend on bonus programs or participating providers. We confirm the current details with you before you switch.
Optional top-ups
Supplementary cover you can add
Your public fund pays for the legally defined essentials, so many of our clients add a private supplement for the extras that matter to them. These are optional, and you can take one out alongside any fund.
Dental supplement
Zahnzusatzversicherung
Public health insurance only pays a fixed share for crowns, implants and professional cleanings, so a dental top-up covers a large part of what is left.
Ask about this coverHospital private room
Krankenhaus-Zusatz (Zweibettzimmer)
Adds a two-bed room and treatment by the senior physician during an inpatient stay, instead of the standard ward your fund pays for.
Ask about this coverTravel health abroad
Auslandsreisekrankenversicherung
Pays for treatment and medical transport when you travel outside Germany, including a trip back home to India.
Ask about this coverGood to know
Questions Indian expats ask us most
Plain-English answers to what newcomers ask in almost every first call about public health insurance in Germany.
Public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) is Germany’s statutory system. Your contribution is a set percentage of your gross salary, your employer pays about half, and family members with little income can often be covered at no extra cost. Treatment is mostly cashless, so you show your card and the fund settles directly with doctors and hospitals.
Most employees earning under the annual income threshold are in GKV by law. Above that threshold, and for the self-employed, private health insurance (PKV) becomes an option. We look at your salary, your plans, and your family situation before you decide, because moving back from PKV to GKV is hard later.
The contribution is a fixed percentage of your gross income up to an annual ceiling, split with your employer, plus a Zusatzbeitrag that varies by fund. Above the income ceiling the contribution stops rising, so higher earners pay the same capped amount whichever fund they pick.
The core benefits are set by law and are nearly identical across funds. What differs is the Zusatzbeitrag, the extra services like professional teeth cleaning or travel vaccinations, and how well a fund supports international members in English. Those are the points we compare for you.
Often yes. Family members with little or no income can usually be insured under your policy at no extra contribution, which is one of the biggest advantages of GKV for families. We check whether your relatives qualify before you sign up.
You can usually change funds after a minimum membership period, with a notice period of two months. We handle the paperwork and the timing so your cover never has a gap.
GKV covers emergency treatment within the EU and in countries with a social security agreement, but cover outside Europe is limited. For visits home to India, a separate travel health policy fills the gap, and we can set that up alongside your fund.
The statutory package covers the essentials, so extras like a private hospital room, premium dentures, or broader dental work are not included. You can add a private supplement for the parts that matter to you, and you can take one out alongside any fund.
Once you have a job you pick a fund, we sign you up, and your employer reports you to it. You receive a membership confirmation for your employer and your electronic health card by post. We guide you through each step in English.
Some funds are much stronger than others at serving international members. We factor English-speaking service into our recommendation, and we stay your point of contact in English for questions and claims after you join.
Your insurance journey
Part of the Arrival essentials package (First weeks)
We help you pick the right fund
We are a broker, so we are not tied to any single fund and we earn the same regardless of which one you choose. Tell us about your situation and we will point you to the fund whose benefits match how you actually use healthcare, then help with the paperwork in English.
NEOdirect · Insurance broker for expats in Germany