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:

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?

Children's Coverage Ages

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:

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

Essential Insurance for Families

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

1. Personal Liability Insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung)

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

2. Disability Insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung)

3. Term Life Insurance (Risikolebensversicherung)

4. Home Contents Insurance (Hausratversicherung)

5. Homeowners Insurance (Wohngebäudeversicherung)

Priority Order for Family Insurance

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.