Sign up for BARMER public health insurance

Submitting your application only takes a few minutes, but getting covered is pretty quick too. For employed persons, you can expect your coverage to be confirmed in as little as a few business day. Self-employed and unemployed persons can expect a longer application process, but usually no longer than 14 business days. If it's super urgent let us know and we can make it happen much faster!

Public, or state health insurance is really quite simple and easy to understand. Your insurance contributions are calculated as a flat percentage of your income. So, if you're earning a high income you can expect to pay more than someone earning a low income. To find out your exact price, see our useful price calculator.

Yes, absolutely. No matter which visa you are applying for, coverage by public health insurance will satisfy the insurance requirement no questions asked.

Yes. Shortly after you've been confirmed as a new member, an official letter will be sent to you from the pension service via post with your SVNR number. However, if you need the number sooner, or you can't receive post mail, feel free to get in contact with us and we'd be happy to email it to you.

Yes. Again, shortly you've been confirmed as a new member, you will be receiving some post mail with more information about how to acquire your ID card. Generally speaking, it takes just one week after your confirmation to get the physical ID card.

As long as it’s your first time becoming employed in Germany, yes. And for anyone who has recently relocated to Germany from somewhere else within the E.U. and has been publicly insured there (whether they are self-employed, a freelancer, or unemployed) then yes. In all other cases, it’s hard to say for sure without more specific details. If you have a tricky situation, please feel free to get in touch with our team and they’d be happy to help you.

Once you've been confirmed as a new member, you can visit a doctor right away without any waiting periods. Simply look for a doctor in your area who speaks your preferred language and call or book an appointment online. Before the appointment, the receptionist will ask you for your physical ID card. And that's all you need to supply. Generally, no payment methods are required.

Yes. On public health insurance, your children (under 18 years old) and a non-working spouse can be covered for free.

If you are employed, then your insurance payments will be made directly from your pay-check. Your employer is required by law to pay for half of your policy. The other half will be deducted from your monthly salary.

Yes, however coverage for dental under public health is quite limited. For example, only simple check ups, fillings, and x-rays are covered. If you'd like a dental cleaning or high-end composite white-colored fillings you would need to consider adding a supplemental dental insurance.

Yes. Chronic illnesses and pre-existing conditions are not excluded from coverage under public health insurance. In most cases, all ongoing medication schedules or treatments are covered. However, certain medications and specific treatments might not be covered outright or may require a copay.

There is a binding period of 12 months. After the first year, you are free to switch providers at any time. A waiting period of two to three months applies when you choose to switch. In case you are leaving Germany, no cancellation period applies and you can cancel immediately.