If you fall ill far from home, your coverage determines comfort, cost, and, in a worst case, whether you get repatriated. Members of German statutory health insurance have basic coverage within the EU through the EHIC — but it really is only basic coverage. For longer and non-European stays, there is no way around additional travel health insurance. This guide explains what applies where and what to look for in your coverage.
The EHIC: what it covers — and what it does not
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — on the back of your German insurance card — is valid for temporary stays in the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Even after Brexit, an EHIC issued by a German statutory health insurer still works in the UK. It covers medically necessary care in the public healthcare system under the rules of the country you're staying in — including any local co-payments. But it is explicitly not a substitute for travel insurance: medical repatriation, private clinics, and planned treatments are not covered.
- Valid in the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the UK (also post-Brexit for German statutory insurance members)
- Medically necessary care in the public system — under local rules and co-payments
- No medical repatriation, no private clinics, no planned treatments
- Does not replace travel/international health insurance
International health insurance: mandatory outside the EU
Once you leave the EU/EEA/Switzerland/UK, or travel for longer, German statutory health insurance generally no longer applies. In countries with no social security agreement — such as the US or Thailand — you are left unprotected in case of a claim without additional coverage. The most important element of good international health insurance is medically sound repatriation. Also check how pre-existing conditions are handled, possible sports exclusions, and surcharges for the US/Canada. For stays of several months, you need a genuine long-term policy, not standard travel insurance.
- Outside the EU / without an agreement: statutory insurance generally does not pay
- The most important element: medically sound repatriation coverage
- Watch for pre-existing conditions, sports exclusions, and US/Canada surcharges
- For several months: a dedicated long-term policy instead of standard travel cover
Vaccinations: personal or work-related?
The German Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO), together with the German Society for Tropical Medicine, publishes country-specific travel vaccination recommendations based on actual exposure risk. An often-overlooked point: for stays abroad required for work or training, statutory health insurance can cover travel vaccinations (based on § 20i SGB V, Book V of the Social Code, and the Federal Joint Committee's Vaccination Directive) — usually not for purely private trips. For individual advice, a tropical medicine institute or a travel-medicine practice is your best bet; the Federal Foreign Office's medical advisories give a first overview per country.
- STIKO publishes country-specific travel vaccination recommendations based on exposure risk
- For work-related stays abroad, statutory insurance can cover travel vaccinations
- Get individual advice from a tropical medicine institute or travel-medicine practice
- Check the Federal Foreign Office's medical advisories for the destination in advance
Sources
Verified, mostly official sources. Reflects the state of research as of the writing date — please double-check with the source directly before making important decisions.
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