Which insurance do I need in Germany? A guide by life situation
Germany has a reputation as a nation of insurance buyers, and newcomers are often sold far more than they need. Only a few policies are compulsory, and a handful more are genuinely important. This guide sorts them for ten common situations, starting with the one most readers are in: new to the country.
The rule: existential risks first, expensive ones second, comfort last
First insure what could ruin you financially: unlimited liability towards others under the German Civil Code, the loss of your income through illness, and your house if you own one. Then losses that hurt but will not ruin you, such as replacing the contents of a flat. Comfort cover such as dental top-ups or travel extras comes last.
Pay small losses yourself. Every premium carries administration costs, so insuring a phone or glasses costs more over the years than it pays out. Compulsory in Germany are health insurance with long-term care cover for everyone, motor liability for every registered vehicle and, in several federal states, dog liability.
Studying or training
International students need health insurance to enrol, either statutory or a private plan recognised by the university. Personal liability is cheap and landlords of student flats often ask for it. If your parents live in Germany, you may already be covered under their family policy while in first training.
Phone insurance Premiums over two years approach the value of the phone, and simple theft is usually excluded.
Endowment or savings life policy High upfront costs mean you lose money if you leave Germany and cancel after a few years.
Single and employed
With a German employment contract you are in statutory health insurance unless you earn above the threshold, which is 77,400 euros a year in 2026. Get personal liability first. Consider income protection early: German disability cover (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung) is cheapest when you are young and healthy.
Term life insurance It protects people who depend on your income. Without dependants or a mortgage there is nothing to protect.
Hospital daily cash Your employer keeps paying salary for six weeks of illness, then the health fund pays sick pay. A daily payment for hospital stays fills no real gap.
Couple without children
When you move in together, merge contracts: one couple policy for liability and one contents policy for the shared flat replace two of each. Unmarried partners can usually be included if they live at the same address. If one of you depends on the other's income or you buy together, add term life.
Two separate liability policies A couple policy covers both partners in the same household. Keeping two is paying twice.
Travel luggage insurance Contents insurance covers burglary and robbery while travelling up to a limit.
Family with children
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.
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.
Home owner
Buildings insurance is not compulsory by law, but every mortgage lender requires it. Add natural hazard cover: heavy rain floods houses far from any river. In a flat, the owners' association insures the building, so check whether natural hazards are included there. While a mortgage runs, term life should cover the outstanding debt.
Bank payment protection insurance Usually far more expensive than term life with the same sum, and often sold as part of the loan.
Glass insurance Unless you have large glass fronts or a conservatory, premiums over the years exceed the likely loss.
Self-employed or freelancer
Freelancers must organise health insurance themselves and usually have no statutory pension cover. Professional indemnity is compulsory for many regulated professions and essential for anyone who advises, designs or codes. Plan sick pay and retirement from day one.
Hospital daily cash Your real risk is lost income during long illness, which needs sick pay cover, not a small daily amount in hospital.
Separate insurance for one laptop One device is replaced from the business account. Equipment cover pays off only for expensive kit.
Dog or horse owner
Dog and horse owners are strictly liable for damage their animal causes, even without fault. Personal liability does not cover this. Berlin, Hamburg, Lower Saxony and other states require liability cover for every dog. Vet bills after surgery quickly reach thousands of euros.
Full health cover for an older pet Premiums rise sharply with age and existing conditions are excluded. Surgery-only cover or savings are often more sensible.
Retired
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.
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.
Small business with staff
With employees you are liable for their mistakes at customers' premises, so business liability comes first. Then contents and business interruption, because a fire costs months of revenue. Statutory accident insurance through the trade association (Berufsgenossenschaft) is compulsory and not arranged by brokers.
Separate policies per device Contents or electronic equipment cover with one overall sum handles all equipment in a single contract.
New in Germany
Health insurance is compulsory from the day you live here, statutory through your employer or private if you earn above the threshold or are self-employed. Personal liability is the next step, and many landlords ask for it. Bring written proof of claims-free driving years from your home insurer; some German insurers credit them towards your no-claims class.
Travel or expat health plan as permanent cover Such plans usually do not meet the German legal requirements for health insurance and often end after a fixed period.
Savings life insurance if you may leave soon Most costs fall in the first years, so cancelling after a short stay returns much less than you paid in.
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
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.
One request for everything
Pick the types, give the details insurers need, get a comparison.
NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH, insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act, broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37. For boat and yacht insurance we act as underwriting agency, not as broker. Statutory disclosure (German)
