Which insurance is mandatory in Germany?

Health insurance including long-term care for everyone living here, motor liability for every registered vehicle, dog liability in several states, liability for drones and professional indemnity for some professions. Personal liability is voluntary but almost universal.

Should I choose statutory or private health insurance?

Employees earning below 77,400 euros a year (2026) have no choice and join a statutory fund. Above that, or when self-employed, private cover is possible. Think long term: returning from private to statutory insurance is difficult and after 55 generally impossible.

What is Haftpflichtversicherung and why does everyone have it?

Personal liability insurance pays if you damage someone else's property or injure someone. German law has no upper limit on liability, so one accident can cost millions. It costs little, which is why nearly every household has it.

Can I keep my car insurance from home?

Once your car is registered in Germany it needs German motor insurance. Ask your previous insurer for a claims history letter; some German insurers accept it for a better no-claims class, others start you as a new driver.

Do I need insurance to rent a flat in Germany?

No insurance is legally required for tenants, but many landlords ask for proof of personal liability. It also covers damage to the rented flat, which the deposit alone would not.

Is my insurance from home valid in Germany?

Health cover from another EU country applies only in certain cases, for example posted workers. Contents, liability and motor policies are usually tied to your home country address. Check each contract once you register your address here.

When should I review my insurance?

At each major change: first job, moving in together, children, buying property, going freelance, and before leaving Germany. Older contracts often have weaker terms than current ones at the same price.

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Insurance for Family with children: what you really need

Children change the priorities: protect the income the family lives on, with term life and disability cover for the main earner. In liability insurance, check the clause for young children, because under German law children under seven are not liable and a neighbour's claim is otherwise refused.

Request quotes All situations at a glance

Essential

Sensible

Optional

Only in certain cases

Education savings insurance
It combines saving and life cover, both at higher cost than separately,

and cancelling early loses money.
Child disability insurance before your own cover
Useful, but expensive.

Secure the parents' income first, then consider it.

What you really need, policy by policy

Personal liability

In Germany, anyone who negligently causes damage to someone else pays for it in full, with no …

Occupational disability

Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung, usually shortened to BU, pays a monthly pension if illness or …

Term life insurance

A Risikolebensversicherung pays a fixed sum if the insured person dies during the term. It has …

Contents insurance

For newcomers to Germany: the insurance for your belongings is called Hausratversicherung. It …

Accident insurance

If you work in Germany, you are covered by statutory accident insurance at work and on your …

Legal expenses insurance

Legal expenses insurance pays for lawyers, court fees and experts when you need to enforce …

Dental insurance

German public health insurance covers check-ups, fillings and basic treatment well. For …

Supplementary health

If you are in German public health insurance, you are well covered for medical treatment, but …

Travel insurance

German insurers sell up to six different travel policies, but only one is essential: …

Why this order

The rule: existential risks first, expensive ones second, comfort last

Insurance for Family with children: what you really need

What you really need, policy by policy

Other situations