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Insurances
There are many types of insurances in Germany. To be able to distinguish between the various
insurances here is a simple overview: there are social securities and private (additional) insurances.
The social security contributions, which are obligatory in Germany, are directly deducted from the salary
before it is paid out. In this way the state wants to prevent citizens from experiencing risks to their
existence such as illness, need of care, unemployment, accident and old age. The contribution amount,
the services and benefits are legally determined and are relatively high in comparison to international
rates. The social security includes:
Old age pension insurance
Health insurance
Nursing care insurance
Unemployment insurance
Legal accident insurance
In contrast to the government contribution scheme a group of private insurances offer risk-covers which
are particularly tailored to the individual’s needs. A person can decide which of his personal risks he
would like to cover, whereby the contribution amount depends on the risk insured. Private insurances can
also supplement the social security cover and can facilitate a higher risk cover.
Insurer in the region you can find here.
Social security for foreign employees
Primarily foreign employees also require insurances in Germany. An exception are scholarship holders
who are mostly freed from the liability to insure, but will need a health insurance. However, not only do
foreign employees acquire a right to certain services of the legal social security scheme by paying social
security contributions, but also to an unlimited stay in Germany: after five years of legally staying in
Germany with gainful employment, as well as the deposit of 60 monthly contributions to the legal social
security scheme, foreign employees have a legal claim to permanent residency.
International agreements
In regard to the Social Security System German laws are limited to supplying benefits only within
Germany. Therefore international social security arrangements in regard to social benefits must be
agreed on and made possible across borders. They are therefore valid for citizens from the European
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