European Health Insurance Card - EHIC / E101

I've been doing some reading on the new European Health Insurance Card which replaces the E111, and if you're British its easy to do, loads of info out there, but I havn't been able to find anything for German health care.

Up to this point I've been doing the travel insurance thing, cheap 16€ a year and has always covered any expenses, but I'd prefer if I didn't have to put the cash first.

Any idea how to get a European Health Insurance card?

I got a new E111 in March last year cos I couldnt find my old one and they automatically sent me a card when they came out - doesn't really answer your question though.

I believe they are issued by the private healthcare company (AOK or whoever) that you are insured with. That would be my first port of call.

The card issued in Britain is only valid if you are resident in the United Kingdom. A Briton living in Germany is *not* entitled to this card.

AOK is NOT a private healthcare company!

The EHIC is integrated into all new insurance cards (on the reverse). If your existing card doesn't have this, then you can simply apply to your insurance company for a replacement.



Not that the cover this card provides is very limited (dental treatment is often not included) and is no substitute for a good travel insurance (which is very cheap in any case)

You can get more info from the EU here: europa.eu.int / healthcard

AOK issued mine after I applied online.

You have to say where and when you are going. Becasue the German system is based even in the "public" field on competing kasse you can move between they only issue cards for a limited validity. They also don't issue them for travel to countries where you don't need a card becasue of otherwise exisiting reciprocal agreements, including the UK.

The EHIC basically gives you the same treatment as the locals. So a foreigner (non resident) who got sick in Germany could go to the doctor here. He would most likely have to pay the quarterly Praxisgebuehr as the locals do, but no other fees. Same principle applies if someone resident here, with an EHIC from a German Krankenkasse, gets sick in another european country (e.g. UK has NHS so AFAIK doctor visits are free, in Ireland a doctor's visit costs about €40 for locals, so you have to pay the same).

You still need travel insurance to cover all the other medical situations. The most common types of things would be costs if you, say, broke your leg skiing in Austria and had to be airlifted from the mountain to the nearest hospital, or the cost of transporting you home if you are too ill to travel home in a normal plane or whatever, or indeed the cost of airlifting your body home if you die. You can get annual travel insurance here for as little as €10.

@Monkstown: That seems to be Kasse-dependant. I got an EHIC valid for two years for all 24 EU countries (i.e. not Germany). They also sent me out a number of forms like the old E111 for non EU eastern european countries and Turkey. Didn't have to specify any dates or countries I intended to visit.

I also thought the EHIC was the "recripocal agreement" between all EU states and that a German resident would indeed need an EHIC to get emergency medical treatment from the NHS in the UK at the same price as the locals (i.e. free AFAIK).

Any visitor wanting to use an EHIC here first has to go to the AOK (or any other participating Krankenkasse) with his EHIC and get an Überweisungsschein to take to the doctor. This is the only way the German system can setup the invoicing path. In an "emergency" the doctor may treat you on evidence of EHIC but will still need the Überweisungsschein retrospectively.

Wth the EHIC being integrated into the standard insurance card in the future there will be no need for any special application.

And one useful tidbit that not many know. If you fly abroad on a return ticket and subsequently die while away hen the return half of your ticket is as valid for your body in a box as much it is for your person on a seat. You might not be able to get the same flight originally planned, but the airline will even assist with the paperwork for body export and import.

YL6

I went to the AOK last year when I was surviving on a dodgy E111 form, and they assured me that "es ist einfacher geworden" and one no longer has to go to the AOK first; one can in fact now go straight to the doctors. Try explaining this to the doctor's receptionist though. She refused to believe this and also refused to call the AOK, so I ended up having to pay anyway.

An E111 form. I can find one on the internet, but I guess it needs to be stamped. Does anyone know who I need to contact? Thanks in advance.

BTW I want one from the German authorities.

Topics merged by admin

Your Krankenkasse will issue it. Info here: europa.eu.int / healthcard / German - EN.

Nice one Katrina. What's with all the e's man? E111 and all that, confusing for us simple folk!

Aye enough e's and you'd be simple alright.

E111 is the old name, E101 the new card which also replaces E111 and E111B used by tourists, E110 used by international haulage companies, E128 used by workers posted to another Member State and by students as well as E119 used by unemployed people seeking work in another Member State (and yeah that was a C&P).

look here: http://www.ess-europe.de

regards florian

I am sorry to say that the Pan European insurance card issued by all EU countries is not like the 111 form.

You are entitled to health insurance coverage that every german is entitled including co-pay drugs.
If you go to AOK and get a copy of the instruction of how to use the card and give it to your doctor he is required by law to treat you the same as any german citizen including operations, hospitalizations, etc.

It is not limited to minimal coverage. You are required at the doctor's office to sign a statement that you did not come here just for medical treatment. Thats it.

Unforntunetly, most doctors don't know how to enter the information into a computer, and the AOK person on the other end of the phone is no help either. Part of the problem is that doctors in germany want to get paid more money and come up with reasons not to accept state coverage.

Once you are entered into the computer, you will be given a AOK number. You pay 10 euro co-payment every 3 months, the same as any German. If you need to see another doctor, it is much easier because you can just have them call the doctor you registered with and he will give them the number. bingo! no problems.

You don't need any travel insurance or any kind of international insurance for the EU if you have this card. It is good in every country. the law says you should not have to return to your country of origin to get medical treatment, it will be available to you in any country in the EU union.

By the end of 2006, all countries in the EU will have new cards with chips that should simplfy the process. AOK simply reclaims the money from your home insurance company. It is all part of the system

Don't fall for some slick salesment trying to sell you international health insurance, it is a waste of money.

I have had no problem with this card, once you understand how it works. I evern had a spine operation and it was covered in full.

Erdingtown

Just to 2nd what you wrote.

I use the the New Card as well...and when speaking to the authorities was told that if you get problems you can pay for the treatment up front and get refunded back in the UK. Also you can get a list of local doctors from the AOK (I think) who understand the system and will treat you with out hassle.

Be warned however it is only for those that are paying NI back in the UK who are entitled...if they found out that you are not resident in the UK but Germany you could be liable for the bill (as by law you are then required to come under the german system). I for one am stilling paying NI...

Does anyone know if there is an equivalent of the E111 here in Germany?
I know that it is now a plastic card issued in the UK that can last for many years.
I want to know because people going to live in Bulgaria have to have proof of their health insurance or reciprocal treatment or something and they are asked to produce their E111 to support this.
This is all well and good if you are going from the UK to Bulgaria.
I on the other hand may be going from Germany to Bulgaria and as you well know they do not seem to have the same here so is there any such thing as a reciprocal health treatment agreement?
I naively thought there was throughout the EU. Am I right or wrong?
Any info gratefully received.

Topics merged by admin

You might find some answers here.

Has anyone applied for a card whilst living in Germany or another country apart from the UK and USED a UK address? Were they successful?

Yes I know you are ONLY supposed to apply if you are permanent resident in the UK but what the heck.

You mean, like, erm, break the law by committing perjury? What an appalling idea. I find the very thought of it abhorrent.

Anyway, why do you need to? You have entitlement to an EHIC in whatever EU country you are resident.

Note the E111/EHIC should not be proof of insurance for someone going to live in Bulgaria, as it is only intended for short-stay/vacation cover.

I have requested one before from my insurer and they sent one ONLY for the dates specific for my holiday eg 3 weeks.
If you request one whilst living/resident in the UK they issue one for 5 years or so.

Currently it seems that people going to live in Bulgaria need to submit proof of EU reciprocal medical insurance and the Bulgarians accept this card.

So if it has 5 years on it they are happy and grant residency for a long time whereas if you show them one with only a couple of weeks, well guess what they are not impressed and the long term residency is not granted.

Has anyone tried to get their insurance to issue a card with a long time on it?

Has anyone gotten one from the UK?

OK first off.
If you try as a long term resident in Germany resident to get a EHIC card from the UK you are comitting fraud.

Becasue the UK has ONE kasse (called the NHS) they can issue cards with long vailidity.
They also don't care particuarly where you are going, they will issue a card.

German kassen only issue the cards short term becasue you could leave that kasse at the end of the quarter, be paying into a new one but still using the card at the old kasse's cost.
They also shy away from issuing cards.
They won't issue one for example for a holiday in the UK as the UK and Germany already have a separate reciprocal agreement on health care that doesn't require the EHIC.

To get a long-er term German card enter online (if your kasse lets you apply online) a destination where you DO need an EHIC eg Czech Republic and a particuarly long date for the holiday.
I've got one valid up to 6 months that way.

My (Techniker Kranken-)Kasse includes the EHIC on the rear of the standard insurance card that I need to present to any doctor and it's valid for the same life as the main card - 5 years. This is how it came - no special application was required.

Yep, i'm also with TKK and my card has the same thing, although if I go to the docs when I'm at home he never bothers to ask, I don't think he ever sent my national insurance card in

Does anyone have experience of having to get one of these from the German authorities - and if so where from?
I believe that they are for self employed people who work in more than one EU country, and it has something to do with NI.
Apparently I need it to provide to the UK tax office to exempt me from paying self employed NI contributions in the UK - although I am tending towards thinking that its as well just to pay them, as the rate for self employment is really low.

Also I didn't think that there was an equivalent of NI in Germany - as I have to pay for private health insurance etc anyway - so its not as if I'll be on some government database here for making payments...

Does anyone have any experience of this? I'm confused...

Topics merged by admin

I haven't done it myself as yet, but the (as far as I'm aware, only) advantage of continuing to pay NI contributions is so that you remain eligible for a state pension from the UK.

There's more information on the HM Revenue & Customs site.

Using a not so well-known website...all will be revealed:
Google Search

With HM Revenue & Customs at the top of the list. E101 is a UK tax form.

EDIT: Small Town Boy got there first.

I did actually fill out one of these when I first came over here, if I remember rightly it was so I could get health cover without having to pay into the German system as I wasn't going to be here longterm.

Hi guys

Sorry - but I've been in touch with the lovely people at HM Revenue & Customs and it was them that told me I would need to get the form from here in Germany...
I imagine you do it the other way around, ie get the form from the UK if that is where you are paying your NI, and you need to demonstrate that to the German authorities.

I've been given an address in Bonn now - but my wonderment remains to the extent that surely the people in Bonn aren't going to have any record of me as I pay for private healthcare & therefore I'm not registered with the state system...

Anyhoo...

I've just had a rummage in my desk and have found a copy of the E101 I filled in, it was sent to me by the Inland Revenue in Long Benton, Newcastle.

Thanks Mandrax - but you might have missed my earlier post - In my case it is the nice people at Longbenton who are asking me to get one from Germany - ie the other way around...

I think E101 covers all the social insurance stuff (not just health) - which is equivalent to NI (the UK just combines all the insurances in one).

I have to get one as well - I was about to ask my Krankenkasse since they apparently collect all the contributions and send them to the various different Amts. Can you tell me this Bonn address (and how did you find out about it)?

Oh and you would be registered with Bonn, since you (I presume) have a Sozialversicherungsnummer...

Are you sure the person you spoke to knew what he was talking about. Seems strange that they tell you to get an E101 form (that is available for download from the HM Revenue & Customs website) from the German authorities to send to the Uk tax authorities - unless he/she meant a different type of form. If such a form exists in Germany then it would probably be in German.
I would double-check this.

The E101 is a intra-European form defined under Directives 1408/71 ("The application of social security schemes to employed persons, to self-employed persons and to members of their families moving within the Community) and 574/72 (The procedures for implementing the regulations) of the European Union. Each EU country has their own local language version, always with the same E101 designation. You need the form when moving from one country to another to show proof of social insurance contributions. An application is normally completed by your employer (unless you are self employed), although the completed form is issued by your Health Insurer - you can find more information and the application forms for Germany here or a copy of the E101 itself (along with all the other Exxx forms) here. The English equivalent (almost identical, except for language, so a helpful guide to completion) is here

Dear YL6,

I am a non-EU citizen, staying in Frankfurt for last few years on a 'Aufenhaltserlaubnis'. I will be moving soon to another EU Nation owing to an intra-company transfer.

To be covered under Social Security, I have been informed that I can opt either of the following:
A. To participate in future nation's Social Security System directly.
B. To maintain my participation to the German Social Security System under the European Social Security Agreement N° 1408/71 art. 17 and ensure the payment of both employee’s and employer’s portions in Germany.

I have the following queries:
1. Can you guide me how this works (certificates E101, E106…) ? - Any link to an English translation of the entire rule would be great.
2. Is it advisable to go for option B ?
3. I am eligible for a PR in Germany in 2010. Does this move change my eligibility criteria in either of the above options?

Thanks in advance for your answers.
Mayank

There is no way I would be paying my pension to the German government unless it was strictly necessary. They are asking you to pay the employers half as well, so you'll have to pay 19% of your wage to them! If you're lucky, you might see half of that money again at retirement. Likely less.

I am a tad confused over the EHIC card, and ended up getting an International Health Insurance from the UK (around 950 euro per annum).

I am a resident in berlin and work here. Does the EHIC cover me for when I am sick or have an injury? or does my private International H.I cover me? Or is EHIC only for visitors/non-residents?

A friend of mine fell of his bike (slightly drunk) on tram lines and snapped his leg and thumb - he wasn't insured and they charged him around 6000 euros!

How do you go about getting a sik not from a doctor for something simple like a cold?

Thanks in advance, and shoen tag noch!

that is 'sick note' http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/style_...-emo-button.png

EHIC is generally for visits. So you can get a German one and use it when travelling to other places covered by it. There's also an arrangement whereby EU citizens can continue to have healthcare funded a certain period after moving (ie. effectively your home country carries on paying for a while). You may want to search for more info on that. Can't btell you more as I never needed it.

As to whether your private health insurance covers you, well, we can't tell you that. Only you can find that out from reading the terms and conditions of your contract. What you need to be clear about is whether your policy covers all health risks or just "critical / serious" events. On top of that, you need to be clear about any excess as that may mean that you have to pay for the relatively small stuff yourself (eg. routine doctor's visits).

At that price, presumably you have cover from serious incidents that are expensive but again you need to cheack what (eg. just the healthcare, or cash allowances etc on top). As your mate found, there is often no magic idden bail out for sick / injured migrants who don't go to the trouble of paying for insurance.

thanks swimmer - yep, my mate found out the hard way, for sure!

Also, the private HI is comprehensive, covers for everything. I was just wondering if I had wasted my money when I could have used the EHIC? But I dont think the EHIC would work being registered as a resident of Berlin. I am covered - by one or the other - thats the main thing!

Not true. While your normal health insurance covers basic medical treatment in Europe, extra international health insurance covers extras such as return transport (of dead bodies too), treatment that isnt covered (or not 100%) in your home country and treatment in non-european countries. You may not need that, but international health insurance is far from a waste of money, especially considering it can be had for €8 or so for a year. Having dislocated my knee at 2800m while skiing in Austria, I can assure you that extra insurance can be well worth it.

If you have German Health insurance (probably not the AOK). it may now include an AKV as standard, no extra cost. Its worth asking, as many have recently changed their rules.

andy M

whats the international health insurance that costs only 8 euros? is that travel insurance (not for residents?)?

I have just spent 950 euros on int. health ins.!

Pog451 has confused a little bit the issue here at hand: the inusrance he/she mentiones is a "travel health insurance" which is strongly recommended if you have a German public health insurance as your main insurance because the German public insurance has only limited coverage abroad (some within the EU and EFTA, virtually none outside Europe) and if you become ill or victim of an accident in, say, US, you can lose serious money without having such an add-on insurance. Same is true, btw, if you have an international health insurance with the area of coverage limited only to Europe as many do.

What jimstar79 muses about, though, is a real international health insurance, i.e. an insurance that is not issued by a German health insurance company but most often by an UK or Irish insurance company. What the insurance actually covers or not is something your broker needs to tell you or you check the table of benefits. In my experience many international insurance only look cheap at first glance but when comparing the full coverage side by side with German private health insurance, it is often not a good deal when comparing value for your money. But you can exclude certain areas of coverage (such as pregnancy/materniy or dental) from their coverage and thus have lower premiums - which you can not with German health insurances per se. This is why many Expats do have those insurances.

There are, however, two danger for the near future for international health insurance holders in Germany:
1) most international health insurances do not offer cover for "Private Pflegefplichtversicherung" or long-term nursing care insurance, which is compulsory for all German residents. In my experience as of lately German immigration offices (Ausländeramt) have started to deny international insurances (and thus deny residence permit etc) if no proof can be shown for a co-existing Pflegepflichtversicherung. I guess it will get more complicated for holders of international health insurance come Jan. 1st 2009 when in contact with German authorities...
2) for 2010 there will be a major change in how you can write of your health insurance costs against your income. So far as a self-employed/freelance person you can write off about 2400.- EUR per year against your income. The supreme court has ruled that this is not sufficient and therefore the German gov. will most likely increase the amount to the standard tarif of public health insurance, thus allowing people to write off up to 4.000 - 6.000.- EUR/year. What sounds like a good news can easily turn sour for holders of international insurances: the German gov. has proposed that only the same coverage like the public insurance offers can be written off, not, however, additional coverage for hospital or dental etc. Therefore German private health insurances in the future will have to list what part of their monthly charges to you are for the same coverage like public health insurance and which are in excess so that the individual holder knows how much tax return he can claim. Since international health insurances are usually not comparable at all with German public health insurance coverage and will also probably not be able to list the different parts of the premium earmarked for coverage comaprable to German public insurance etc. it could happen that a holder of an international health insurance finds himself in 2010 in a situation where he may still be allowed to keep his international health insurance but can not write the costs off against his income...
Of course one will need to see the what the legislation really turns out at the end and there is a long time hence, but anyone who is about to make a long-term decision between German or international private health insurance should ponder this development, too.

Cheerio

Pertaining to point 1) 'Private Pflegepflichtversicherung'...
Is it possible to hang on to my existing AXA international HI and get a 'cheap' German insurance that would just cover the long term health care part?
I've just got a letter from AXA telling me I have two weeks to find a German registered insurance.

TIA

good luck... many companies will not give you the Pflege if you do not have the Kranken one with them...

No German private health insurance I am aware of does offer stand-alone Pflegepflichtversicherung. Which is why AXA PPP and other international health insurances are bailing out from the German market (at least for all those clients who need to have their insurance accepted for Visa or residence/work permit reasons). So, no, you will not find such an insurance.
You have but two options: switch to the one international health insurance which has an agreement with Allianz for cooperation in this matter, ALC Or switch to a full German health insurance. If you intend to stay for longer in Germany, the latter is clearly more advisable...

Cheerio