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 Retired: what you really need

Income protection falls away in retirement. Long-term care and dental costs move up: statutory care insurance pays only part, and the resident's own share in a care home is often several thousand euros a month. Keep personal liability, especially with grandchildren around.

Request quotes All situations at a glance

Essential

Personal liability

Sensible

Optional

Only in certain cases

Disability insurance
Without earned income there is nothing left to protect.
Term life without debts
If your partner is provided for through pension and savings,

the premium at this age is high for little benefit.

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 …

Contents insurance

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

Long-term care

Everyone with health insurance in Germany is automatically in statutory long-term care …

Dental insurance

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

Accident insurance

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

Travel insurance

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

Funeral insurance

Germany has had no statutory death grant from health insurance since 2004, and German burial …

Why this order

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

Insurance for Retired: what you really need

What you really need, policy by policy

Other situations