Menu
Expat.com

Health insurance for German citizen with US job working remotely

Last activity 28 March 2023 by ALKB

Post new topic

trainrider76

I'm a dual US/German citizen with a US-based job and a typical Blue Cross / Blue Shield health plan. I work remotely. I was thinking of spending some time in Europe. My health plan covers emergency care abroad but nothing else. I was thinking of getting a travel medical policy, but since I'm also an EU citizen I was wondering if anyone knows if I can use the citizenship to my advantage to qualify for good European health coverage if I establish residency in an EU country (preferably without having to pay huge monthly amounts out of pocket).

beppi

In Germany (I assume you are asking about the rules here, since you posted thison the Germany forum - for other EU countries please refer to separate forums!), all residents must have German health insurance. There are very few exeptions fro this (e.g. for foreign diplomatic or military staff) and no foreign or travel health insurance fulfills the requirements.

For a self-employed (as which you will be classified without local employer), the contributions in the public scheme start at approx. 190€/month and go up with your income - the private scheme costs more, but might offer better coverage (read the fineprint!.

There is no scope for negotiations or discounts based on having a foreign insurance.

As long as you come for short visits only and don't establish a residence (which is, I think, defined as living two weeks or more in one place) and don't perform any paid work here (incl. remote work!), you are seen as visitor and not subject to these rules - so foreign travel insurance is sufficient.

TominStuttgart

I'm a dual US/German citizen with a US-based job and a typical Blue Cross / Blue Shield health plan. I work remotely. I was thinking of spending some time in Europe. My health plan covers emergency care abroad but nothing else. I was thinking of getting a travel medical policy, but since I'm also an EU citizen I was wondering if anyone knows if I can use the citizenship to my advantage to qualify for good European health coverage if I establish residency in an EU country (preferably without having to pay huge monthly amounts out of pocket).
-@trainrider76

Naïve wishful thinking. Without residency you cannot do this. You are limited to travel insurance for anything your Blue Cross won't cover. But I don't see what more is needed. All emergency services will be covered with adequate travel insurance. Things like elective surgeries are paid out of pocket in European countries anyway. So what advantage would you have?


And to get residency is a complicated thing with many consequences. One actually has to reside most of the year in a country. Just visiting once in a while doesn't work. And one will have to pay for coverage like everyone else and usually file taxes on all earnings world-wide. What you indicate is trying to get the benefits (and more) of having residency without any of the costs or consequences. Actually sounds like a huge effort with few potential benefits.

ALKB

I'm a dual US/German citizen with a US-based job and a typical Blue Cross / Blue Shield health plan. I work remotely. I was thinking of spending some time in Europe. My health plan covers emergency care abroad but nothing else. I was thinking of getting a travel medical policy, but since I'm also an EU citizen I was wondering if anyone knows if I can use the citizenship to my advantage to qualify for good European health coverage if I establish residency in an EU country (preferably without having to pay huge monthly amounts out of pocket).
-@trainrider76


How long is some time and if you intend to visit several countries, how long in each country?


Is your plan to travel around Europe for a few months or to more or less move to a specific country?

Articles to help you in your expat project in Germany

  • The German healthcare system
    The German healthcare system

    The German healthcare system is neither homogenous nor static. On the contrary, it has various actors (i.e., ...

  • Elderly care in Germany
    Elderly care in Germany

    Germany may not have the sunshine and beaches of the Mediterranean or Southeast Asia, but it is among Europe's ...

  • Citizens Relief Act
    Citizens Relief Act

    There's been a lovely new German word since January 2010: das Bürgerentlastungsgesetz! I´ve ...

  • Emergency in Germany
    Emergency in Germany

    One of the biggest worries expats have to deal with when arriving in a new country is what to do in case of an ...

  • legality of your health insurance?
    legality of your health insurance?

    Hi everyone!I´ve just discovered this site but am not 100% PC-literate (know the word "blog" but am still ...

  • Health insurance update
    Health insurance update

    Since my last blog, the noose has tightened even further as far as freelance/self-employed expats in Germany ...

  • Summer jobs in Germany
    Summer jobs in Germany

    The summer season in Germany begins in June and lasts until the end of August. These three months of the year ...

  • Buying property in Frankfurt
    Buying property in Frankfurt

    Frankfurt has a very lively real estate market, and buying a house there is, without a doubt, a worthy long-term ...

All of Germany's guide articles