Job Discussion Forums

neil1979 · Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 33

Yet another health insurance question, I'm afraid - this one for EU citizens. I understand that as a freelancer teaching English health insurance is compulsory but I have been unable to find clarification on whether it's acceptable to have private health insurance from abroad (for example BUPA, which I have) or whether you must have insurance from a German provider? For a start, who controls all this? I take it the Finanzamt? What proof do they ask for?
Does anybody here work as a freelancer and have a non-German private health insurance provider? Did the Finanzamt accept this documentation?
Because I've just started paying 150euros a month with a German provider and it seems a huge waste of money - it won't cover me for regular visits to a GP or dentist (the first 700 euros comes from my own pocket), and if I needed more extensive treatment for something I'd rather go back to my home country and have it done there anyway . . . But before I set about cancelling the insurance, I need to know whether I really have any choice . . .

Insubordination · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 394 Location: Sydney

Can't help but I also want to know this information. The main reason I'm not choosing Germany as a destination is the health insurance issue. It's an outrageous amount and would be even more for me because I have a pre-existing condition.

I want to just use my travel insurance but if something went wrong, I understand that I wouldn't be covered it I were found to be working in Germany.

neil1979 · Joined: 15 Nov 2003 Posts: 33

I'm hoping that someone on here can post a definitive reply, but having scouted around other sites it seems to be that as a freelancer you are not obliged to have any health insurance at all and if you do, it's completely up to you what sort you have. If that's the case I will definitely cancel the one I have just started.

puhutes · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 46

This is also something really unclear for me as well. I'm honestly not too excited about paying for medical insurance since these things are free in Canada Sad

.. Also getting a tax number ASAP was unclear...lucky I have mine now!

SF21 · Joined: 05 Jun 2007 Posts: 72 Location: California

I'm American and only have travel insurance right now. When I went down to apply for my residence/freelance permit at the KVR (probably like the Finanzamt), the person processing the app. didn't even ask me for my proof of health insurance, even though I had the paper read to hand him.

I got the permit stamp in my passport 20 minutes later.

I still plan on getting the minimal amount of German private health insurance, though.

dagi · Joined: 01 Jan 2004 Posts: 425

http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/index_en.html

You might find some information on this website.