Insurance in GermanyThe Checklist for Newcomers 2026
As a newcomer to Germany, only one insurance is truly compulsory: health insurance (mandatory for every resident). Car liability is mandatory only if you own a vehicle. Personal liability and household insurance are strongly recommended but voluntary. This checklist shows what to get and in what order.
Key Takeaways
- Mandatory: health insurance for every resident (Section 193 VVG), car liability only for vehicle owners (Section 1 PflVG).
- Strongly recommended: personal liability and household insurance - cheap and protect against costly claims.
- Order: health first, then personal liability, then household, then situation-based.
- GKV or PKV? Read the full comparison in our expat health insurance guide.
meinetarife24 Editorial Team
Independent EditorialOur independent editorial team carefully reviews all information and regularly updates the content.
Important: Health Insurance is Mandatory!
In Germany, every resident must have health insurance (Section 193(3) VVG). Without it you generally cannot obtain a residence permit. Make this your first priority after arrival.
Your Insurance Checklist
Mandatory, recommended or optional - how to rank the key policies.
Health Insurance
MandatoryRequired by law for everyone resident in Germany (Section 193 VVG)
Personal Liability
RecommendedCovers damage you cause to others - cheap and sensible
Household Insurance
OptionalProtects your home contents against burglary, fire, water
Car Insurance
Mandatory**Only if you own a vehicle (Section 1 PflVG)
Income Protection
RecommendedSecures your income if you can no longer work
Legal Protection
OptionalCovers lawyer and court costs
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Each insurance type has its own comparison page:
Key German Insurance Terms
Understanding these terms will help you navigate the system
GKV or PKV - in brief
GKV - Statutory
Income-based premium (general rate 14.6% plus an average supplementary contribution of 2.9% in 2026), employer pays half, family covered for free. Mandatory for employees earning under 77,400 EUR gross per year (2026).
PKV - Private
Premium based on age and health, often broader coverage, family insured separately. Open to the self-employed and high earners above the compulsory-insurance threshold.
Tip for Newcomers
As an employee, you'll typically be automatically enrolled in GKV. Your employer handles the registration. You just need to choose a health insurer (e.g., TK, AOK, Barmer) - compare their supplementary contribution rates first!
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PKV-Vergleich wird geladen...
Frequently Asked Questions
What insurance is mandatory?
Health insurance for everyone resident in Germany, car liability for vehicle owners. Others are voluntary but recommended.
GKV vs PKV difference?
GKV: income-based, mandatory under 77,400 EUR/year (2026). PKV: risk-based, for the self-employed and high earners. See the health insurance guide for details.
Do I need liability insurance?
Not mandatory but highly recommended. Covers damage to others - affordable policies cost only a few euros per month.
Which to get first?
1. Health insurance (mandatory), 2. Personal liability, 3. Household, then others as needed.
Sources & Methodology
How we research: this checklist summarises the official insurance obligations for residents of Germany, drawn from the primary statutes and authorities below. Premium figures are general 2026 reference values, not personalised quotes.
- Compulsory health insurance: Section 193(3) VVG (gesetze-im-internet.de)
- Compulsory car liability: Section 1 Pflichtversicherungsgesetz (PflVG)
- GKV contribution rate and 2026 average supplementary contribution: Federal Ministry of Health (BMG)
- Compulsory-insurance threshold 2026 (77,400 EUR): German social-insurance reference figures, Federal Government
- Personal liability / household recommendations: Verbraucherzentrale, GDV
Advertising notice (Werbehinweis): We work with affiliate partners including Tarifcheck and may receive a commission (Provision). The comparison is free and non-binding for you. Last updated: June 20, 2026. This is not insurance advice.
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