In a nutshell
International health insurance (IPMI) provides worldwide cover and replaces the GKV during a permanent stay abroad. The EHIC is only for short EU trips and no substitute. For expats, emigrants and digital nomads, modular IPMI tariffs are the safe, flexible solution – ideally taken out before the move.
Note: this guide explains the benefits of international policies independently. You take out international (IPMI) tariffs directly with specialised providers. meinetarife24 compares the German health and supplementary insurance for you – ideal if you live (back) in Germany.
Table of contents
What is international health insurance?
International health insurance is a policy that provides worldwide cover regardless of your place of residence and replaces or supplements national systems. The technical term is IPMI (International Private Medical Insurance). It covers outpatient and inpatient treatment, preventive care, dental and medical repatriation.
Move abroad permanently and you usually lose German statutory cover (GKV) – it is suspended during a permanent stay abroad. An engineer posted to Abu Dhabi for three years cannot rely on a TK or AOK membership. An IPMI policy, by contrast, covers them in the Emirates, on business trips and during home visits to Germany.
The EHIC is no substitute
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) only covers medically necessary treatment during temporary stays in 27 EU states – without repatriation and usually only in public health systems. In the USA, Australia or most Asian countries it does not apply. And it loses validity once your German insurance status ends.
Benefits over the GKV and the EHIC
- Worldwide validity: no geographic exclusion, no loss of cover when you change residence.
- Outpatient and inpatient: including specialist visits, operations and hospital stays.
- Preventive care and dental: many tariffs cover check-ups and dental – often as an add-on module.
- Medical repatriation: organised and paid for by the insurer – avoiding costs of tens of thousands of euros.
- Direct billing & service: networks with clinics worldwide, a 24/7 hotline and often multilingual support.
Who benefits from an international policy?
Expats & posted workers
Continuous cover with no waiting periods when you change residence, family inclusion and direct billing with clinics – whether Frankfurt, Dubai or Tokyo.
Digital nomads
Worldwide cover without a fixed residence, expandable in modules. Countries like Portugal (D7), Costa Rica and Thailand (LTR) accept international policies as proof of insurance.
Emigrants
A seamless replacement for the GKV after a permanent move. Important: choose a tariff that includes your home country Germany for visits.
Visa applicants
Many countries require proof of health insurance with worldwide cover and repatriation for a visa – an IPMI policy provides the necessary documents in English.
Coming the other way, as an expat to Germany? Then you need German health insurance for expats – a different case from the international policy described here.
GKV, travel insurance and IPMI compared
| Feature | GKV | Travel | IPMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Validity | Unlimited (DE) | Usually 6–56 days | Unlimited worldwide |
| Coverage | DE, limited EU | EU and parts of the world | Worldwide incl. USA |
| Repatriation | No | Often included | Included |
| Long-term stay | No | No | Yes |
| Cost / year | Income-based | ~€20–100 | from ~€1,500 |
| Visa proof | No | Rarely | Usually yes |
Travel insurance is designed for short holidays, not long-term stays. International policies quickly justify their premium: a single hospital stay in the USA can cost €50,000 or more, and a repatriation from South-East Asia €20,000 to €80,000.
Costs and modular tariffs
IPMI premiums are calculated by age – sign up early and you pay less. Above all, modular tariffs let you match cover to your actual needs:
- Geographic zones: excluding the USA lowers the premium a lot; a Europe-only tariff is cheapest.
- Deductible: a higher deductible (e.g. €1,000–5,000) cuts the annual premium by around 20–40%.
- Modules: dental, psychotherapy, preventive care or maternity can be added as needed.
- Family tariffs: with many providers children are cheap or free up to a certain age.
Note: in Germany, health insurance contributions can be tax-deductible under certain conditions – this can also apply to international policies if they meet the tax authorities’ requirements. Tax advice pays off.
Avoiding common mistakes
- Overestimating the EHIC: the most common mistake – it is not lasting cover abroad.
- Hiding pre-existing conditions: risks a rejected claim. Be transparent – reputable insurers often still offer cover, with exclusions or surcharges.
- Excluding your home country: if you travel to Germany regularly, you need a tariff that includes it.
- Cover amount too low: €500,000 is barely enough for a serious accident in the USA – prefer very high or unlimited sums.
- Ignoring waiting periods: dental or maternity often have waiting periods – take out the policy in good time.
Other insurance for emigrants
Leaving Germany permanently, look beyond health insurance:
- Liability: a German personal liability policy usually only applies in Germany and the EU – abroad you need an international or local solution.
- Life & income protection: German policies may limit benefits during a permanent stay abroad – check the terms before you move.
- Home contents & property: German policies usually don’t cover property abroad.
- Pension provision: leaving the German pension system, consider private or international provision.
Compare German insurance
Living (back) in Germany or need a German policy? meinetarife24 compares health, supplementary and other insurance – free and in several languages.
Frequently asked questions
What is international health insurance (IPMI)?
A policy that provides worldwide health cover and replaces national health insurance during a permanent stay abroad. It covers outpatient and inpatient treatment, preventive care, dental and medical repatriation.
Is the EHIC enough for a longer stay abroad?
No. The EHIC only applies to temporary stays in 27 EU states and does not cover repatriation or private treatment. During a permanent stay abroad it also loses validity.
Who benefits most from international insurance?
Especially expats, emigrants, digital nomads and frequent travellers who spend more than 56 days abroad or live abroad permanently – and anyone who needs a visa with proof of insurance.
What does international health insurance cost?
Costs start at around €1,500 a year depending on provider and vary by age, destination, deductible and modules. Excluding the USA or choosing a higher deductible lowers the premium significantly.
How do I find the right international tariff?
Compare by cover area, scope of benefits, deductible and service quality. Make sure Germany is included for visits and that the cover amount is high enough.
Key German Terms
IPMI
International private medical insurance
Auslandskrankenversicherung
International health insurance
EHIC
European Health Insurance Card
GKV
Statutory health insurance
Rücktransport
Medical repatriation
Selbstbehalt
Deductible / excess
Deckungssumme
Cover amount
Vorerkrankung
Pre-existing condition