Unemployed EU citizen - Private health insurance or travel insurance?

msigma

Member

Member since 07 July 2017

msigma

03 June 2019 17:52:50

msigma

03 June 2019 17:52:50

I've recently moved to Germany and I'm looking for a job here.
After my registration as a resident, I tried to apply for public health insurance only to find I'm not eligible for it (I'm an EU citizen and I had no health insurance in my home country).
The problem is that I'm also having trouble applying for a private health insurance, even though I can afford it... Most companies reject me because I'm unemployed.
It's been one month now, and I'm afraid I won't be able to avoid any back charges. Would getting a travel insurance instead be a good idea? And switch to public health insurance as soon as I find a job?
Would that count as a normal health insurance?

beppi

Germany - Singapore Expert

Member since 08 August 2010

World Citizen

Germany & Singapore Expert

beppi

03 June 2019 21:58:26

14837

beppi

03 June 2019 21:58:26

14837

World Citizen

Very few or no travel health insurances fulfills the German statutory requirements.
As far as I know, as a resident you must join a German (public or private) health insurance. If the public one already told you (get it in writing!) that you are not eloigible, the private ones must take you. Sometimes you have to be firm - and in all cases, apply for membership in writing and insist on a written rejection if they really don't accept you.