How to Insure Your Family in Germany

Health insurance is mandatory for everyone living in Germany—including your family members. The German system offers options specifically designed for families, including the possibility of free co-insurance for dependents in certain situations.

This guide explains how family insurance works and what you need to know.

Family Insurance Basics

In Germany, there are two main types of health insurance:

Type	German Name	Family Coverage
Public insurance	Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV)	Free family co-insurance available
Private insurance	Private Krankenversicherung (PKV)	Each family member insured separately

Free Family Co-Insurance (Familienversicherung)

One of the biggest advantages of public health insurance is family co-insurance—dependents can be covered at no additional cost.

Who's Eligible?

Family Member	Eligibility Criteria
Non-working spouse	Income below €520/month
Spouse in Minijob	Earning up to €520/month
Children	Age and status requirements (see below)

Children's Coverage Ages

Situation	Maximum Age
Standard	18
Unemployed	23
In education/training	25
Military/civilian service delayed education	Over 25 (with extension)
Children with permanent disabilities	No age limit

When Family Members Must Pay Separately

Family members need their own insurance if they:

Earn more than €520/month
Are self-employed or freelancing
Are privately insured (PKV covers individuals, not families)
Exceed the age limits for children's coverage

How to Add Family Members to Your Insurance

1. Contact your health insurance provider — Request the family co-insurance form

2. Complete the application — List all family members to include

3. Provide required documents — Proof of relationship, income status, residency

4. Submit and wait for confirmation — Your insurer will evaluate and confirm

Your insurer will assess:

Family member's income situation
Employment status
Any existing coverage

Calculating Costs for Working Family Members

If your family members work in Germany, their premium is calculated based on:

Income Source	Included in Calculation
Gross salary as employee	✓
Self-employment income	✓
Investment income	✓
Rental income	✓
Pension income	✓

Your health insurance provider handles these calculations—you just need to provide the relevant information.

Not sure how it works? Our experts are here to explain.

Essential Insurance for Families

Beyond health insurance, several other types of coverage are highly recommended for families in Germany:

1. Personal Liability Insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung)

Feature	Details
What it covers	Damage you cause to others
Typical cost	€40–€80/year for families
Recommendation	Essential—can protect against major financial liability

This covers your entire family for accidents that cause damage to others or their property.

2. Disability Insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung)

Feature	Details
What it covers	Income replacement if you can't work
Best for	Primary income earners
Recommendation	Highly recommended for families with dependents

3. Term Life Insurance (Risikolebensversicherung)

Feature	Details
What it covers	Financial security if a parent dies
Cost	Relatively affordable
Recommendation	Important for families with children or single incomes

4. Home Contents Insurance (Hausratversicherung)

Feature	Details
What it covers	Furniture, electronics, belongings
Protection against	Theft, fire, water damage, storms
Recommendation	Recommended for all households

5. Homeowners Insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung)

Feature	Details
What it covers	Building structure
Protection against	Storm, fire, lightning, flooding
Recommendation	Essential if you own property

Priority Order for Family Insurance

Priority	Insurance Type	Why
1. Essential	Health insurance	Legally required
2. Essential	Personal liability	Protects against major financial risk
3. Highly recommended	Disability insurance	Protects family income
4. Highly recommended	Term life insurance	Protects dependents
5. Recommended	Home contents	Protects belongings
6. If applicable	Homeowners	Required for property owners

Getting the Right Coverage

Insuring your family in Germany involves understanding both the mandatory requirements and the optional coverages that provide real protection for your situation.

At Stay, we help international families find the right combination of insurance to protect what matters most. If you'd like personalised guidance, we're here to help.