Which insurance policies do we need when moving in together in Germany?
In short
When moving in together in Germany, you usually need just one contents insurance policy for the shared flat and one personal liability policy on a couple tariff, at about EUR 60 to 180 a year instead of twice EUR 40 to 120. Which insurance policies cover an unmarried partner depends on the tariff; often the partner must be named and share your registered address.
Guide values from published tariff examples and test results in Germany.
Example
Typical range
Personal liability, two single tariffs
about EUR 80 to 240 a year together
Personal liability, one couple or family tariff
about EUR 60 to 180 a year
Contents, 75 square metres, average tariff zone
about EUR 90 to 120 a year
Term life, age 35, EUR 250,000, per person
from about EUR 20 a month
Guide values as of October 2026 from publicly stated tariff examples.
The figure for two single tariffs is calculated from the single range.
Your premium depends on location, cover and deductible; we obtain the exact quote.
Worked example
Couple, both 30, moving into 70 square metres
Both had their own flat with contents insurance and a single liability tariff.
Contents sum insured (70 × EUR 650)
EUR 45,500
Liability before, two single tariffs
about EUR 80 to 240
Liability after, one couple tariff
about EUR 60 to 180
Second contents policy
ends at expiry
Liability becomes about EUR 20 to 60 a year cheaper, and a whole contents premium disappears.
Contents insurance: two policies become one
When you move into a shared flat, one contents policy covers the belongings of both partners. The sum insured must match the new floor area and the combined furniture; many insurers use EUR 650 per square metre.
You end the second policy at its expiry date with the notice period in the contract. There is no special right to cancel because you move in together. If you did not know about the overlap when signing, section 79 of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG) lets you demand that the later contract is cancelled or its sum reduced.
Liability: when your partner is covered
Spouses and registered partners are included automatically in a couple or family tariff. For unmarried couples, many insurers require both to be registered at the same address and the partner to be named in the policy. Without the name, cover can be disputed after a claim.
Important when moving in together: damage you cause to each other is not paid by the joint liability policy, because co-insured people are not third parties to each other. Your own belongings are protected by the contents policy, as far as the damage is covered there.
What stays separate when you move in together
Health insurance, occupational disability and term life insurance are personal and cannot be combined. Free family cover with a statutory health insurance fund only exists for marriage and registered partnership. If your partner regularly drives your car, add them as a driver in your motor insurance.
Insurance
Can be shared?
Note
Contents
yes
adjust the sum to the shared flat
Personal liability
yes, on a couple or family tariff
name an unmarried partner
Legal expenses
usually yes, as a couple tariff
check tenancy law cover for the shared flat
Motor
no, one per vehicle
add your partner as a driver
Health insurance
no, unless married
each stays with their own fund
Term life and occupational disability
no
each insures themselves
Protecting each other without marriage
Unmarried partners have an inheritance tax allowance of only EUR 20,000, spouses and registered partners EUR 500,000. Cross term life insurance, where each insures the other's life and pays the premium, keeps the payout free of inheritance tax.
Do you need this right away? Only if one of you depends on the other's income, for example with a joint loan or children. For a couple without joint obligations, combining contents and liability is enough at first.
Step by step
List all existing policies of both partners with their expiry dates.
Keep the contents policy with the better cover and report the new address and floor area.
Have your partner named in the liability policy, even if the tariff mentions partners.
Cancel the second policy in writing at expiry, only once joint cover is confirmed.
Tell your motor insurer that your partner will drive the car.
Checklist
Contents policy for the shared address with a suitable sum
Partner named in the liability policy
Both registered at the shared address
Duplicate policies cancelled at expiry
Beneficiaries in life insurance policies checked
Common mistakes
Cancelling your own policy before your partner is added to the joint one
Not raising the contents sum after combining furniture
Assuming an unmarried partner is always covered by liability insurance
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Which insurance policies do we need when moving in together without being married?
The same as married couples: one contents policy and one liability policy on a couple tariff.
Make sure your partner is named in the policy.
Is there a special right to cancel when moving in together?
No.
You cancel the duplicate policy at expiry.
If you did not know about the overlap when signing, section 79 VVG helps.
Who should be the policyholder?
The partner with the better and newer policy.
After a separation the policy stays with the policyholder, and the other partner needs their own.
Is damage between the two of us covered?
Not by liability insurance, as co-insured people are not third parties to each other.
Your own belongings are protected by the contents policy against fire, water or burglary.
Can we combine our health insurance?
No.
Free family cover only exists for marriage and registered partnership,
