In Germany, health insurance is provided by two different systems: statutory health insurance (SHI) and private health insurance (PHI).

SHI offers reliable health protection for almost 90 per cent of the population and is therefore the most common option in Germany. Most people are automatically subject to compulsory SHI insurance.

Self-employed persons, freelancers and civil servants, for example, can take out private health insurance under the PHI scheme. All other employees are generally covered by statutory health insurance unless their income is above the compulsory insurance threshold.

Another difference between SHI and PHI is the cost reimbursement principle. In the SHI system, doctors bill the health insurance companies directly. Insured persons therefore do not have to make an advance payment. In PHI, insured persons have to pay the invoices directly themselves and only receive the money back after submitting them to the health insurance company.

Please note: Regardless of whether you are insured in the statutory or private health insurance, both systems guarantee absolutely equal and reliable health protection. Persons in need from Ukraine have access to the statutory health insurance in Germany.

Statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) functions in accordance with the solidarity principle. The contributions are based on the financial performance of the members, the health services are the same for everyone.

In case of serious illness, which cannot be excluded at any age, very high costs of treatment exceeding income and property of those affected can accumulate very quickly. This is why health insurance is obligatory for all citizens residing in Germany.

In Germany, people have a free choice of doctor. Those on statutory insurance are allowed to go to any doctor they prefer as long as he or she is approved for or authorized to contractual medical care. This can apply to a physician or a specialist, a medical care center or different forms of out-patient facilities, but also to psychotherapists approved for contractual medical care.

Please, find more information concerning statutory health insurances in the "Online Ratgeber Krankenversicherung" (online guide on health insurance) of the Federal Ministry of Health.

As of 1st June 2022, Ukrainian refugees in need are entitled to benefits in accordance with the second or the twelfth Code of Social Law (Sozialgesetzbuch, SGB II or XII).By this means, they gain access to the statutory health insurance (GKV) and therefore also to social care insurance (Section 20 paragraph 3 SGB XI). This gives them access to the GKV’s full scope of service.

Due to the new regulation introduced as of June 1, 2022, Ukrainian refugees who are not in need as they dispose of financial reserves or have income as they are, for example, continuing their work from Germany for their employer in the Ukraine, receive the right to join the voluntary insurance of statutory health insurance (GKV) and therefore also social care insurance (cited in Section 417 SGB V and Section 20 paragraph 3 SGB XI).

A prerequisite for the right to enter is that the conditions regarding the right of residence are fulfilled and that there is no need for help in accordance with SGB II (citizen’s income) or SGB XII (social benefits). The application for GKV membership has to be made within 6 months after having taken up residence in Germany. The voluntary insurance also includes the possibility of free family insurance in GKV.

In particular, all employees whose gross income is above the marginal earnings threshold (€556 per month) and does not exceed the annual income threshold (in 2025: €73,800) are compulsory members in the statutory health insurance scheme.

Children, spouses and registered partners of members are insured as family members without them having to pay contributions when their residence or habitual abode is in Germany and when their total income does not exceed a certain income threshold.

Please, find an overview over statutory health insurances in Germany here.

Numerous medical services are paid for by health insurance. These encompass:

• Medical and dental treatment
• Protective vaccination and medication
• Medical check-ups for pregnant women and children
• Medical aids (e. g. crutches)

Find detailed information on medical services of statutory health insurances on the website of the Federal Ministry of Health.

Even if you have not yet registered in Germany, you can still claim medical aid in an emergency. When a medical emergency occurs, please visit the next hospital or call the emergency service (Rettungsdienst).

As a member of statutory health insurance, beneficiaries receive their services from their particular health insurance company. The health insurance company in question issues an electronic health card (eGK) as credential with which you are able to claim services of statutory health insurance.

It is obligatory that administrative data regarding you as a person, for example your name, date of birth, address and health insurance number, so-called master data, is stored on the eGK  chip. The data is checked during the reading out of the eGK at the surgery. In case of treatment, present your health card at the doctor appointment or dentist appointment.

Ukrainian refugees have access to health insurance for the duration of their recognized residence and are therefore entitled to the whole scope of services of statutory health insurance.