What happens to my German private health insurance when I emigrate?
In short
What happens to my German private health insurance when I emigrate? If you move to an EU or EEA country, it continues, but the insurer pays at most what it would pay in Germany. If you move permanently elsewhere, it usually ends. With a dormant policy (Anwartschaft), often 5 to 10 percent of the premium, you can return later without a new health check.
Costs and deadlines when emigrating with German private health insurance.
Example
Typical range
Small dormant policy
about 5 to 10 percent of the previous premium
Large dormant policy keeping entry age
about 30 to 45 percent of the previous premium
Cover when travelling outside Europe
at least 1 month, depending on tariff up to 3 months or longer
Ordinary cancellation
3 months to the end of the insurance year
As of October 2026.
Legal position from the Insurance Contract Act (VVG) and the PKV association.
Dormant policy percentages are guide values from practice; your insurer gives the exact amount.
Worked example
Retiree, 66, moves to Spain for good
He has been privately insured for 30 years and pays EUR 700 a month. Spain is in the EU, so the contract continues.
Premium
EUR 700 a month, unchanged
Refunds
at most what would be paid in Germany
Bills in euros
no conversion needed
Ageing reserves
kept
He keeps his cover and reserves. Whether he must also join the Spanish system, he checks before moving.
Emigrating within the EU or EEA
If you move your habitual residence to another EU or EEA country, your German private health insurance continues. The insurer only has to pay what it would pay if you lived in Germany.
Bills in a foreign currency are converted at the rate of the day the documents arrive, and transfer and translation costs may be deducted. Some countries require membership of their own system; an exemption is often only possible with proof of your contract.
Emigrating outside the EU
If you move permanently to Switzerland, the USA or Thailand, for example, the policy usually ends. You can ask your insurer for an agreement extending cover to that country. You have no legal right to it, and a surcharge may apply.
Contact the insurer early, in any case before leaving Germany. After the move it is usually too late.
Keep, pause or cancel
The right option depends on where you move and whether you plan to come back.
Option
When it makes sense
Effect
Keep the contract
move within EU or EEA, return open
cover and reserves remain, full premium
Dormant policy (Anwartschaft)
return planned, cover abroad arranged separately
small premium, return without health check
Cancel
no return planned
cover ends, ageing reserves stay with the insurer
When and how you can cancel
If you leave Germany for good, the German duty to have health insurance ends. You can then cancel under the normal rules: at the end of the insurance year with three months' notice, at the earliest after any agreed minimum term.
Only cancel once your new cover abroad is secured. A gap between two contracts is the most expensive mistake when emigrating.
Plan your return before you emigrate
Without a dormant policy you need a new contract after returning, with a new health check, and your ageing reserves (Alterungsrückstellungen) are built up again. If pre-existing conditions prevent normal acceptance, the basic tariff is always open to you.
With a dormant policy you return to your old tariff without a new health check and keep your reserves. The large version also keeps your original entry age.
When you do not need the policy after emigrating
If you are certain you will not return and will be compulsorily insured in your new country, keeping German private insurance means paying twice. Cancelling at the next date is then usually right, once your new cover is in place.
Step by step
Check whether your destination is in the EU or EEA.
Tell your insurer in writing before you leave.
For other countries, ask for an agreement.
If you may return, apply for a dormant policy.
Only cancel once new cover is secured.
Checklist
Destination classified as EU, EEA or other
Compulsory insurance at destination clarified
Certificate of entitlement requested if needed
Dormant policy considered
Cancellation deadline noted
Common mistakes
Moving outside the EU without asking and hoping for cover
Cancelling before the new contract is in place
Forgetting the dormant policy although a return is possible
Assuming Switzerland is in the EU
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does German private insurance continue if I move to Switzerland?
Not automatically.
Switzerland is neither in the EU nor the EEA.
Ask for an agreement before moving.
Are my ageing reserves paid out?
No.
Without a dormant policy, a new contract after return builds reserves up again.
Can I join public insurance after returning?
Only if you become compulsorily insured, for example as an employee below the income threshold.
From age 55 this is usually closed.
Am I covered on a long trip before moving?
In Europe yes.
Outside Europe for at least one month, depending on tariff longer.
Agree an extension before you travel.
Do I have to tell my insurer about the move?
Yes, before you leave.
Only then can you arrange an agreement, a dormant policy or cancellation in time.
