The statutory health insurance (GKV) is an obligation for every employee and self-employed person in Germany. However, if planning a longer stay abroad, it may be necessary to cancel the insurance in order to save money while traveling. In this case, it is important to know which rules apply when terminating and resuming GKV and what options are available to have sufficient health insurance abroad.
The German health care system has clear rules regarding the termination and resumption of statutory health insurance. In principle, termination during a stay abroad is usually possible if the insured person moves his residence abroad or plans a longer stay. In such cases, however, the insured person must take out a suitable substitute insurance policy in order to be covered in the event of an emergency.
The resumption of the GKV after the stay abroad is not always problem-free. There are various rules and restrictions that must be observed. In some cases, insured persons must report to the GKV within three months after their return to Germany, otherwise membership is no longer possible. It is therefore important to find out about the exact conditions and deadlines in good time in order not to risk any gaps in health insurance coverage.
In the following article, we will examine these issues in detail and provide valuable information on what options are available to ensure that you are well insured and do not experience any unpleasant surprises, even if you are staying abroad for an extended period of time.
Statutory health insurance: Cancellation and resumption during a stay abroad
If you move or travel abroad as a legally insured person, the question of terminating your statutory health insurance arises. Those who are still registered in Germany and go abroad can immediately terminate their membership in the statutory health insurance (GKV). However, certain criteria must be met in order for a cancellation of the GKV to be effective.
An alternative to termination is the exemption from contributions. In this case, the insurance relationship is suspended for the period of the stay abroad. Insurance can be reinstated after returning home. However, certain deadlines must be observed. Waiving premiums can also make sense if you plan to stay abroad for an extended period of time and don’t want to go without health insurance.
An important point is the question of insurance coverage abroad. As a rule, the GKV does not cover the costs of treatment abroad. It is therefore advisable to take out private health insurance abroad. This ensures that in the event of illness abroad all costs are covered and you can be treated as quickly as possible.
- Important: Inform yourself before the stay abroad at your GKV about the possibilities of cancellation or exemption from contributions.
- Tip: Take out private health insurance abroad to be covered in the event of illness abroad.
Requirements and deadlines
If you want to go abroad and are insured in the statutory health insurance, there are some requirements and deadlines to consider to ensure termination and resumption of insurance upon return.
First, you must report your stay abroad to the health insurance company and provide a certificate of your employment or education abroad. This certificate must be issued by your employer or school.
The notice period for statutory health insurance is usually two months to the end of the month. The cancellation must be in writing and signed by you and the health insurance company.
In order to be reinstated in the statutory health insurance after returning from abroad, you must report to the health insurance fund within two weeks of your return and submit a certificate of your return as well as a pay slip or certificate of unemployment or pension income.
It is also possible to take out private health insurance during the time abroad. In this case, you should clarify the exact conditions and deadlines for cancellation and resumption of insurance upon return.
Resuming health insurance after the stay abroad
If a person has spent a longer time abroad, it may be that their health insurance in Germany has been cancelled. In this case, it is important to resume the statutory health insurance after the stay abroad.
Reinstatement in the statutory health insurance is usually possible, even if the person had no German health insurance during the stay abroad. However, the person may have to accept a waiting period or additional contribution payments.
In order to resume compulsory health insurance, the person must register with a health insurance company and prove that he or she is compulsorily insured. For example, employment contracts or registration certificates in Germany can be used for this purpose.
It is important to apply for reinstatement early, as the health insurance companies usually set a deadline. In addition, those affected should inform themselves in advance about individual conditions and costs.
- Key steps to re-enrolling in public health insurance:
- Registration with a health insurance company
- Provide evidence of compulsory insurance
- Clarify individual conditions and costs
Registration with the health insurance company after returning from abroad
In the case of a longer trip abroad to countries outside the EU, the statutory health insurance can be terminated. After the return, however, there is the possibility to be included in the German statutory health insurance again.
The reinstatement of members and the granting of entitlements can be done according to ยง 6 SGB V. However, there are some requirements to be met. For example, private health insurance must not have been taken out and the 3-month period must not have been exceeded since returning from abroad.
Registration with the health insurance company is usually done through the planned residents’ registration office. For this purpose, a completed form is necessary. Proof of the last paid contribution is necessary for admission. As a rule, this is issued by the health insurance companies recognized in Germany.
However, it is also possible to register with the German health insurance without visiting a registration office. In this case, it is necessary to send the registration form directly to the health insurance company together with proof of the last contribution paid.
- It is important to note, however, that the registration with the health insurance company must take place immediately in order to ensure the immediate insurance obligation.
- If you have any questions regarding registration and reinstatement in the statutory health insurance, you can also arrange a consultation with the health insurance company at any time.
Particularities of stays abroad during parental leave
A stay abroad during parental leave can be an attractive opportunity for parents to gain new experience and broaden their horizons. There are, however, some particularities to consider, especially with regard to statutory health insurance.
Those who go abroad during parental leave must find out in advance exactly how their insurance will be affected. As a rule, parents can also use their statutory health insurance abroad for a limited period of time. However, it is important to know that the conditions can vary greatly from country to country.
- In some countries, public health insurance is not sufficient and it is advisable to take out private supplementary insurance.
- In other countries, parents may have to pay additional contributions for statutory health insurance.
- In some countries it can be difficult to find a doctor who speaks German or English.
Another special feature is the termination and resumption of the statutory health insurance during a longer stay abroad. Usually parents have to cancel their health insurance if they stay abroad for more than three months. Otherwise, they may have to continue to pay contributions without being able to use the benefits.
When resuming statutory health insurance after a stay abroad, there are also some rules to keep in mind. For example, parents usually have to accept a waiting period of three months before they can be reinstated in the statutory health insurance system. You may have to take out private health insurance during this time.