Travel Health Insurance
Germany 2026
German statutory health insurance (GKV) and the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) offer no protection outside the EU and EEA. Even within the EU, private clinics are usually not covered. Medical evacuation - which can cost tens of thousands of euros - is never paid by GKV under any circumstances. A private travel health insurance policy (German: Auslandskrankenversicherung) closes these gaps. For a Schengen visa it is also legally required: minimum coverage of 30,000 euros for the entire Schengen area and the full duration of your stay (Art. 15 EU Visa Code).
Scope of this page: This guide covers travel and visitor health insurance (short-stay, Schengen, incoming visitors) - not the choice between GKV and PKV for residents living in Germany. For long-term health cover options, see Compare Health Insurance Germany or the compulsory insurance guide for expats.
Key Takeaways at a Glance
- GKV and EHIC cover nothing outside the EU - and never cover medical evacuation.
- For a Schengen visa: mandatory minimum coverage of 30,000 euros for the whole Schengen area (Art. 15 Visa Code).
- Look for the wording "medically advisable" (not just "necessary") for repatriation - it makes a major difference (Verbraucherzentrale).
- Annual policy for a single person: roughly 15-30 euros per year is a typical range, according to Finanztip.
What you will find here
GKV and EHIC abroad: what is covered, what is missing
Many insured people assume their statutory health insurance covers them worldwide. This is a common misconception. GKV and EHIC only apply in limited circumstances, and there are two critical gaps that can have expensive consequences. According to the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and the Verbraucherzentrale, the following applies when travelling abroad:
| Situation | GKV / EHIC | Private travel insurance |
|---|---|---|
| EU, EEA countries + Switzerland | Panel doctor at local rates; private clinics usually not included | Full cover including private clinics |
| Non-EU (USA, Turkey, Thailand ...) | No cover (very narrow exceptions per BMG) | Full cover if "worldwide" agreed |
| Medical evacuation (repatriation) | Never covered (Verbraucherzentrale + BMG) | Core benefit of good policies |
Important: Medical evacuation - for example by air ambulance - can quickly cost tens of thousands of euros according to the Verbraucherzentrale. GKV does not cover these costs under any circumstances. This is the most expensive gap for travellers without private travel health insurance.
Are you looking for long-term health insurance as an expat living in Germany? See the guide on comparing health insurance in Germany or check what compulsory insurance applies to expats. This page only covers travel and visitor insurance.
Schengen visa requirement and incoming insurance for visitors
For citizens of non-EU countries entering the Schengen area, travel health insurance is not a recommendation - it is a legal obligation.
Art. 15 EU Visa Code (Regulation No. 810/2009): Minimum requirements
- Minimum coverage: 30,000 euros
- Covered services: emergency medical treatment, inpatient care, medical repatriation, costs in case of death
- Scope: entire Schengen area (26 countries), entire duration of stay
- Proof: must be submitted to the consulate before visa issuance - no proof = visa refusal (German Federal Foreign Office)
Incoming insurance for visitors from Turkey and other non-EU countries
If parents, siblings or friends from Turkey or other non-EU countries are visiting Germany and need a Schengen visa, they must also present incoming health insurance. This must meet the same minimum requirements: 30,000 euros coverage, entire Schengen area, full duration of stay.
Note on the Verpflichtungserklaerung (sponsorship declaration): According to the German Federal Foreign Office and the Visa Code, a Verpflichtungserklaerung - a written guarantee of support by a person living in Germany - does not replace the incoming health insurance for visa purposes. Both documents can be submitted simultaneously, but the sponsorship declaration alone does not fulfil the insurance obligation.
For newcomers who have moved to Germany and need everyday health cover, the insurance guide for newcomers in Germany is the right starting point.
What to look for when comparing policies
Not every policy offers the same protection. These criteria make the biggest difference - especially when you actually need to use the insurance.
| Criterion | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Repatriation clause | "Medically advisable" is better than "medically necessary" - Verbraucherzentrale explicitly warns against the latter |
| Excess / deductible (Selbstbehalt) | Good policies have a low or zero excess; this reduces your out-of-pocket risk in a claim |
| Trip duration per journey | Standard policies cover 42, 56 or 70 days per individual trip (56 days is common); longer stays need a long-stay policy |
| Geographic scope | "Worldwide" (including USA and Canada) is more expensive than "Europe only"; choose based on your travel destinations |
| Age bands | Many policies have age categories (e.g. under 65 / 65 and over); premiums typically rise with age |
Practical tip: Stiftung Warentest assessed 91 annual travel health insurance tariffs in its November 2025 test issue. Comparing several independent providers before deciding is worthwhile.
How much travel health insurance costs in 2026
Costs depend heavily on scope of cover, trip duration, geographic area and age. The figures below are orientation values from published sources; actual prices vary by provider and are subject to change.
| Policy type | Orientation value | Source / note |
|---|---|---|
| Annual policy, single, short trips (up to 56 days) | around 15-30 euros / year | Typical industry range, Finanztip 2026; varies by provider |
| DKV Single RD (specific: May 2026 change) | raised from 9.90 to 24.80 euros / year; trip duration 56 - 70 days, rescue costs 10,000 - 20,000 euros | Finanztip (specific price change May 2026) |
| DKV Family RDN (specific: May 2026 change) | raised from 27.90 to 55.10 euros / year | Finanztip (specific price change May 2026) |
| ADAC long-stay, under 27 (2-24 months) | from around 41.90 euros | ADAC (at time of research; prices may change) |
| ADAC long-stay, 27 and over (2-24 months) | from around 57.50 euros | ADAC (at time of research; prices may change) |
As of June 2026. All price figures without guarantee; check current premiums directly with the provider.
DKV note (May 2026): DKV significantly raised its most affordable entry tariff in May 2026. Finanztip no longer recommends DKV as the cheapest provider. It therefore pays to actively compare several offers in 2026.
Short-stay vs. long-stay and the trip cancellation distinction
Short-stay annual policy
For multiple individual trips throughout the year, each up to 42, 56 or 70 days. Ideal for frequent travellers, expats with regular business trips or holiday-makers. Usually affordable and convenient as an annual contract.
Long-stay health insurance
For longer periods abroad of 2 to 24 months - such as a semester abroad, au-pair stay, work-and-travel or internship. A separate product category with different conditions and pricing.
Distinction: trip cancellation insurance
Travel health insurance covers you if you fall ill or have an accident during the trip. Trip cancellation insurance (German: Reiseruecktrittsversicherung) covers costs that arise before departure if you cannot travel due to a covered reason - such as sudden illness, accident or bereavement. Both products are separate contracts and complement each other for comprehensive travel protection. This is an important and frequently confused distinction according to the Verbraucherzentrale and Stiftung Warentest.
Need to compare credit options for your trip expenses? See the credit comparison. For health insurance as a long-term resident, visit compare health insurance Germany.
Next steps: your options at a glance
This page is a guide, not a comparison calculator. To find specific tariffs, compare offers directly from major providers. You can also explore related comparisons below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How We Compare: Sources and Methodology
All legal references, cost ranges and product descriptions on this page have been verified against publicly available Tier-1 sources (as of June 2026). We only cite figures and statements that are backed by the sources linked below.
- Verbraucherzentrale - Travel health insurance: GKV gaps, "advisable" vs. "necessary", repatriation
- German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) - Health insurance cover abroad: GKV/EHIC scope
- EUR-Lex - Regulation (EC) No. 810/2009, Art. 15 (Visa Code) - Legal basis for the 30,000-euro mandatory cover for Schengen visas
- German Federal Foreign Office (Auswaertiges Amt) - Travel health insurance for Schengen visas: documentation and sponsorship declaration
- Stiftung Warentest - Travel health insurance test 11/2025: 91 tariffs assessed (general reference)
- Finanztip - Travel health insurance 2026: cost ranges, DKV price change May 2026
- ADAC - Long-stay travel health insurance: prices for study stays 2-24 months