travel insurance germany tk

My honest Techniker Krankenkasse review

It’s hard to pick the right health insurance in Germany . There are hundreds of options, both public and private. You might have heard of Techniker Krankenkasse already. It’s the largest public health insurer in Germany.

I was a TK customer from 2015 to 2021. I had their health insurance as an intern, as an employee and as a freelancer. This is my review of their services.

What is TK?

Techniker Krankenkasse (or TK) is a public health insurance company ( Krankenkasse ) in Germany. It’s the largest health insurer in the country, with 10.4 million members. 1 TK is a non-profit company, like all public health insurers in Germany. It’s just a little larger than Barmer , the second largest Krankenkasse .

How much does TK health insurance cost?

Your health insurance contributions depend on your income, and your situation. All public health insurers in Germany charge almost the same prices. TK is not the cheapest or the most expensive; it’s just average.

You pay the {{ tarifName }} tarif . Your health insurance has a fixed price. It's cheaper than the regular tarif. You pay the minimum price . Your employer does not pay part of your health insurance. Your health insurance costs a percentage of your income. If you get ALG I or Bürgergeld , the Agentur für Arbeit pays for your insurance. Your employer does not pay half of it. Your health insurance costs a percentage of your income. You make less than per month, so you don't pay for health insurance. Your employer pays for it. Your health insurance costs a percentage of your income. Your employer pays half of it. You don't pay the student tarif because you are too old. You don't pay the student tarif because your income is too high.

The base cost is the same with every public health insurer . You have a minijob, so you pay the minimum price . It's {{ baseContributionPercentage }}% of }}. You make less than per month, so you pay the minimum price . It's {{ baseContributionPercentage }}% of . You make more than per month, so you pay the maximum price . It's {{ baseContributionPercentage}}% of . You make less than , so you pay the midijob tarif. It's cheaper than the normal tarif. You pay the student tarif; the base cost is a fixed price. The base cost is {{ baseContributionPercentage }}% of your income.

Health insurers can charge a little more than the base cost. The surcharge ( Zusatzbeitrag ) is usually around {{ formatPercent(healthInsurance.avgZusatzbeitrag * 100) }} of your income.

Nursing care insurance ( Pflegeversicherung ) costs the same with every public health insurer . You make over per month, so you pay the maximum price . pflegeversicherung.defaultTarifMaxAge && childrenCount === 0"> It costs {{ (pflegeversicherung.surchargeTarif*100).toFixed(1) }}% of your income, because you are over {{ pflegeversicherung.defaultTarifMaxAge }} years old and you don't have children. It costs {{ (pflegeversicherung.defaultTarif*100).toFixed(2) }}% of your income.

When you are self-employed, you don't get help from your employer. You pay the full price yourself.

Your employer pays for your health insurance, because you make less than per month.

When you have a minijob, your employer does not pay for your health insurance.

When you are an employee, your employer pays half of your health insurance.

This is how much you pay every month for public health insurance. You make more than per month, so you pay the maximum price . You pay the minimum price , because you make less than per month. You pay nothing, because you make less than per month. Your employer pays for your insurance.

Your options

Alg i or bürgergeld.

If you get ALG I or Bürgergeld , you don't pay for health insurance. The Agentur für Arbeit pays for it.

Family insurance

If {{ yourSponsorsHave }} public health insurance , it covers you for free. Ask their health insurer.

Public health insurance

The safest choice for most people. The price is a percentage of your income.

Private health insurance

Better and cheaper for some people, like young people with a good income.

European Health Insurance Card

If you have health insurance from another EU country, you might not need German health insurance.

Join the Künstlersozialkasse

If you are a freelance artist or publicist, join the KSK. They pay half of your health insurance. It's always worth it.

There are over 100 public health insurers . Their prices and coverage are almost the same.

Techniker Krankenkasse

The biggest health insurer in Germany. They have English-speaking support.

The second biggest public health insurer. They have an English-speaking Expat Hub.

AOK (Nordost)

Another large public health insurer. They have branches for each part of Germany.

Another large public health insurer.

Private health insurance can be better and cheaper than public health insurance. It depends on your situation.

Ask a health insurance broker

They help you choose from hundreds of options. It's the best way to choose health insurance.

Get a quote from Feather

They sell insurance from a few insurers. I got my health insurance from Feather, so I recommend them.

Get a quote from Ottonova

They sell their own health insurance. It's expensive for what you get. They speak English.

Need help choosing?

It's the best way to choose health insurance, and it's free.

How to choose German health insurance

Does TK offer support in English?

Yes, but not officially. You can sign up in English on TK’s English website (or use this simple form ), but the rest of the website is only in German. The members area ( Meine TK ) is only in German. All the letters you get are in German. If they need something from you, they ask in German. The TK app is available in English. It has the same features as the TK website.

TK does have English phone and chat support, so you can always get help in English. If English support is important to you, TK and Barmer are your best options. Barmer also has an English phone line, 2 but it’s a little more expensive.

My personal experience with TK

I was a TK customer since I moved to Berlin in 2015. I was with TK until 2021. I had a very positive experience with them.

Excellent coverage

In my experience, TK covers everything without asking questions . You go to the doctor, you show your health insurance card, and you get the treatments you need. I have seen doctors, physiotherapists, podiatrists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists and dentists. TK paid for everything without asking questions. It just worked.

Glasses are rarely covered. Most of the time, you must buy your own eyeglasses . It’s the same with other public health insurers.

At the dentist, TK only covers the least expensive treatment. For example, if you want high quality tooth fillings, you must pay for the cost difference. If you want full anaesthesia instead of local anaesthesia, you must pay the cost difference. 3 If you want the best treatment, you must pay for the price difference. Tooth cleanings are not covered. 4 It’s the same with other public health insurers. This is why many people get extra dental insurance ( Zahnzusatzversicherung ).

What does public health insurance cover?

Expensive for freelancers

The cost of TK health insurance depends on your income. If you earn more, it’s more expensive. This is true for all public health insurers, not just TK.

If you are a freelancer, it’s more expensive because your employer does not pay half of your health insurance. If you earn a lot, you can pay up to 925 € per month in health insurance!

On the other hand, the price of private health insurance depends on your age and your health. If you are young, healthy, child-free, freelance and well-paid, private health insurance can be much cheaper.

This is why going with private health insurance sometimes makes more sense. I explain this in my guide on how to choose health insurance . In this situation, TK might not be the best option for you, and you should talk with a health insurance broker .

Good support

You can call TK, use their online chat, or ask them to call you. Their online chat works really well. They reply quickly and give clear answers.

When I received a letter that I did not understand, I used their support chat. They answered all of my questions and told me exactly what to do in less than 10 minutes.

The customer support also available in English.

Most things can be done online in TK’s members’ area, Meine TK . You can update your personal information and read your messages online.

You can choose to receive all your mail online. When there is a new message, you receive an email. You can only view the message on the TK website. You must enter an SMS code to access your messages. The TK mailbox is just a list of PDF letters from TK.

You can also download important documents from Meine TK .

You can also ask Techniker Krankenkasse to find an appointment for you. They send you an SMS when they have found an appointment for you. This can be very useful if you don’t speak German fluently, and don’t have a doctor yet. I only discovered this while writing this review, so I have not tried it.

Meine TK allows you to submit or download documents online. You rarely need to send something by post. You can also download documents for your employer, the Ausländerbehörde and BAföG straight from TK’s website.

What others say about TK

Techniker Krankenkasse is very good. It’s the best-rated public health insurer in every comparison:

• It was nominated “Germany’s best Krankenkasse” for the last 13 years.
• It ranked #1 in the Deutsche Finanz-Service Institut test .
• It also ranked #1 on Testsieger-Berichte’s test .
• It ranked #1 next to HEK on Finanztip’s report .

I am not cherry-picking facts. Every article I have found ranks TK first. In 2019, my insurance broker also said that it’s by far the best public option.

In 2021, TK raised their prices. It’s still a good deal, but it means you should also look at other options. A health insurance broker can help you pick health insurance. Their advice is free.

Techniker Krankenkasse is an excellent public health insurance company. I was a customer for 6 years, and I was very happy.

• It just works. They pay for everything without asking questions.
• They have very good customer service.
• Most services are available online on their website and in their app.
• Rated best public health insurer in many comparisons.
• They can help you find a doctor appointment.
• English support is available, but not guaranteed. Big parts of the website are only in German. If you need English support, Barmer is also an option.
• Since 2021, their prices are a bit less competitive.
• Private health insurance is a better choice in some situations.

In 2021, I switched to private health insurance. I was still very happy with TK, but it was not the best option for my new situation. When you are self-employed, private health insurance sometimes makes more sense.

Questions and answers

Is tk accepted for a visa application.

Yes. When you apply for a residence permit , German public health insurance like TK is always accepted. It works when you apply for a freelance visa , a work visa , a Blue Card or a student visa.

How to choose health insurance for a visa application

Will TK cover me?

Generally, yes. TK is usually forced to cover you. There are two big exceptions: freelancers who just moved to Germany, and students over 30 years old who just moved to Germany. In this case, public health insurers can refuse to cover you, and it can be hard to find health insurance. Talk to a health insurance broker , and they will help you for free.

Health insurance options

How to sign up with TK

If you want be insured with the Techniker Krankenkasse, fill this simplified form . It takes 10 minutes, and Feather takes care of the rest. Feather is an English-speaking health insurance broker in Berlin. I work with them since a long time and I trust them.

Sign up with Techniker Krankenkasse

You can also go through the process yourself on the TK website . They have an English sign-up form.

If you don’t know which health insurer to choose, get help from a health insurance broker. They will help you pick the best health insurance for your needs. Brokers get paid by health insurance companies to bring them new customers. Their help is free.

If you choose TK, you can pay 10 € per year to get Envivas travel insurance . It covers your medical expenses while you travel. It works well: they paid for my friend’s helicopter evacuation, ambulance trip and hospital recovery in Nepal.

krankenkassen.de , tk.de   ⤴

allaboutberlin.com   ⤴

tk.de   ⤴

My Life in Germany

All you need to know about studying, working, and living in Germany

TK Review 2024 – My Personal Experience With TK Health Insurance

This post contains affiliate links. It means that if you click on the links and make a purchase, we will receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This allows our blog to continue providing you with free information. We only include links and products that we truly believe in. You can read the full disclosure here .

Wondering which health insurance company you should choose in Germany? Not sure if TK (Techniker Krankenkasse) is the best choice for you? I am insured with TK for 11 years now and my whole family is with TK. In this review, you can find my honest opinion about TK and why I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for public health insurance in Germany.

Moving to Germany or new in Germany? Check out our Resources Page for all the help you need!

Table of Contents

Healthcare system in Germany

In Germany, everyone is required to have health insurance. There are two types of health insurance in Germany: Public health insurance and private health insurance. The vast majority of German people are insured with public health insurance. There are more than a hundred different public health insurance companies in Germany. And they are regulated by law. 

So, their prices and coverage are very similar. The only difference would be the customer services and the additional contribution rate. This rate is set by the health insurance companies individually.

The largest public health insurance company in Germany is TK. I am insured with TK since day one in Germany. And my whole family is with TK too. If you are looking for public health insurance in Germany, I can highly recommend TK because of its English language, great coverage, and excellent customer support. 

You can sign up here in English!

Are all the public health insurance companies in Germany the same?

Some people think that every public health insurance company is more or less the same in Germany. So, they just let their employers randomly pick one for them. Yes, the public health insurance companies are very similar in Germany. But they do have some differences, especially in terms of customer support or different incentives like cashback. My advice is to do your own research and pick your desired health insurance. Don’t let your employer make the decision for you. Instead, let your employer know beforehand about your desired health insurance provider.

Read also:  Insurance in Germany – Which one do you need?

What is TK?

TK is Techniker Krankenkasse. It is the biggest health insurance provider in Germany with more than 10 million members. It is a non-profit public health insurance provider.

TK review – How much does it cost?

A good thing about public health insurance in Germany is that the cost depends on your income. The more you earn, the more you pay, and vice versa. Everybody pays the same price, regardless of health condition and age. The cost is calculated based on a percentage of your income. This percentage is set by law and the same for all public health insurance companies. If you are employed, your employer needs to pay half of your contribution. So, you only pay half!

The cost of public health insurance is deducted directly from your monthly payslip. Here is the cost breakdown in 2024:

• Health insurance rate set by law: 14.6%
• Additional contribution rate from TK: 1.2% (This rate is set by each public health insurance company individually. TK has one of the lowest costs.)
• Long-term nursing care scheme: 4% if you have no kids, 3% if you have 1 kid (and 0.25% reduction for each additional kid)

Total : Around 19% of your income. And since your employer is paying half, you will pay around 9.5% of your gross income. If you earn more than 5,175 Euro per month (Year 2024), the cost of TK insurance will be capped at around 492 Euro monthly. 

If you are a student, you can have a discount and pay only around 112-125 Euros per month.

Your dependent spouse and children can be covered for free.

If you are self-employed , you will have to pay the 19% on your own (around 980 Euro monthly maximum). That is why it can be much cheaper to go for private health insurance in Germany in this case. Check out this post: Private vs Public Health Insurance: What is Better for Expats in Germany?

TK review – What is covered?

Medical treatment in germany and other eu countries.

Almost everything I need from a doctor is covered by TK health insurance. This includes all necessary healthcare like doctors’ consultation, hospital treatment, blood tests, ultrasound checkups, vaccinations, basic dental care, pregnancy care, and childbirth, etc. Basically, anything that is considered necessary. TK even covers you when you travel abroad in other EU countries!

In most cases, the only thing I need to pay for is the medicine. In Germany, you won’t get your medicines directly from the doctor. Instead, you will have to buy medicines from a pharmacy. There is a co-payment of around 5 to 10 Euros for prescribed medicines. The cost of the prescribed medicines is fully covered if it is for your kids. For more details, check this out:  Pharmacies in Germany – Guide for Expats

Your spouse and dependents

Your dependent spouse and kids can also be covered with your TK health insurance at no additional cost!

Sick leave benefits

If you have a long-term sickness, your employer will pay you your full salary for the first 6-week sick leave. Afterward, TK will kick in and pay you up to 70% of your gross income (Krankengeld). You can get Krankengeld for up to 78 weeks in three years for the same illness. This applies to all public health insurance policies. For more details about sick leave benefits, check this out: Sick Leave In Germany – Everything you need to know

Fitness courses and online health courses

TK encourages you to keep yourself healthy. So, TK supports you if you join some fitness courses that are improving your health like Yoga. You can reimburse part of the course costs, or you can even join the courses for free if they are part of the TK courses.

TK also provides online health courses. These include topics like optimizing your diet, reducing your stress, or quitting smoking, etc. You can get high-quality information by joining these free courses.

TK review – Pros and cons

Pros of tk health insurance.

I have been with TK for the last 11 years. In the below review, you can see why I choose TK.

English support

TK provides customer support in different languages, including English. I didn’t speak German when I first moved to Germany . But I never had problems when I wrote emails to TK in English. You can also use its chat function on the TK website or call them. 

Nowadays, I use the English TK app and I write to TK through the app. When I was pregnant a few years ago, I had so many questions. I was surprised that TK even sent me documents with all the details about pregnancy coverage, in English!

You don’t have to pay upfront

The great thing about using TK health insurance is that you just need to go to the doctor and show your TK health insurance card. You don’t need to pay anything in advance. The doctor will sort it out with TK directly. TK also won’t ask you any questions. They just pay. So, I never have to worry about the cost when I visit a doctor.

In case anything is not covered by TK, the doctor will let me know in advance so that I won’t get a bad surprise afterward. For example, TK health insurance covers the basic body check. But I want to have a more comprehensive one. So, I pay extra for it.

Your TK contribution is tied to your income

In general, public health insurance is less risky. You pay less when you earn less. For example, during my parental leave for 1.5 years, I didn’t have a salary but I was still covered by TK for free. My colleague who has private health insurance had to pay 600 Euro a month during her parental leave.

Besides, it is also cheaper if you are a student, unemployed, or retired. It doesn’t get more expensive when you are older or when you have pre-existing conditions.

TK Covers your dependent family members for free

This is one big advantage of having public health insurance in Germany. We have two children and we are all insured under TK. We do not need to pay extra for our children. With public health insurance like TK, your dependent spouse and children can be insured without additional cost.

TK insurance fulfills your visa application requirement

If you need a visa to live in Germany, one of the visa application requirements is to have valid health insurance. I did have health insurance from my home town Hong Kong. Unfortunately, my health insurance was not accepted when I applied for my visa in Germany. I was told that I must have a recognized health insurance policy in Germany. My university in Berlin enrolled me in TK at that time. I got my visa and I am happily insured with TK ever since.

Read also:  Best Blocked Bank Account in Germany – Compare the Top 3

Good customer rating

TK is one of the largest and most popular public health insurance companies in Germany. I am with TK for 11 years now and I am very happy with its services. In fact, my whole family is insured with TK.

TK is also rated as the best health insurance in Germany in a review done by Focus Money (for 16 times in a row!). You can see the full review report here , which compares TK with many other health insurance companies in Germany.

Health insurance coverage abroad

You are also covered by the TK health insurance if you travel to other EU countries. Just show your TK insurance card. And you can receive the same treatment as other local people in that foreign country.

You can choose your doctors

As long as the doctors have a contract with the statutory health insurance fund. This includes general practitioners, dentists, and any other specialized doctors.

Call service 24/7

This service is called TK-MediCall. You can call and get answered if you have any questions about medicines. You can also use TK-FamilyMediCall if you have any questions about your child’s health. If you need medical advice when you are abroad, you can use TK-TravelMedicall. It can also help you to find a local doctor who speaks English. The best thing is that you can use these call services also during non-office hours when your doctor’s office is closed.

Hospital treatment

Five years ago, I had a very bad stomachache at work and was sent to the hospital by my employer. I stayed three nights in the hospital and did a lot of tests there. Almost all these costs are covered by TK. I only had to pay a small fee of around 10 Euro per night.

Not to mention that I have given birth 2 times in the hospital. And almost all my pregnancy costs including the birth preparation class, giving birth , postnatal gymnastics class, etc. are all covered by my TK insurance.

Simple website and processes

TK’s website is simple and easy to use. You can find all the information you need there, in English. Their process is also easy to understand. The app is very self-explanatory. It is really the opposite of the German bureaucracy and super expat-friendly. Most of their services are available online and very convenient.

Online appointment with a doctor

I just found out about this cool function recently. With the TK-Doc app, you can have an online video consultation with a doctor directly via your phone. This service is available during the week from  8am to 11 am, and from 5pm to 8pm. So, you can use this service also when your usual doctor’s office is closed. 

With the online consultation, you can also get your sick note and medical prescription digitally if needed. You can even get your medicine delivered to your home! 

In the TK-Doc app, you can also use the chat function to get advice from a doctor if you prefer to type. So, no more long waiting time at the doctor’s office! You can stay at home and focus on your recovery.

I haven’t tried to use this service yet but I am definitely interested in this. I will update this TK review once I have tried this out!

TK appointment service

If you need to see a doctor but have no time to make an appointment (or not sure how it works), you can call TK. It will help you to make an appointment, free of charge. This is useful if you have just moved to Germany and don’t have a doctor yet. Or if you are not able to speak German, especially on the phone. Of course, if you need an appointment urgently, you should contact your doctor or visit your doctor’s office directly.

You can also use TK’s website to find a list of doctors in your area who speak your language. Simply enter your postal code and pick your language. You will then see a list of doctors with their contact details. 

TK bonus program

I need to tell you about the TK bonus program in this review. I just started using when I was pregnant and I can highly recommend this. TK wants to encourage us to have a healthy lifestyle. So, we can collect points when we engage in healthy activities that are recognized by TK.

F or example, doing a body check, preventive care, vaccinations, joining some sports events, and even having a sports membership, etc. These points can then be used in the form of cash.

When I was pregnant, I joined different courses for maternity care like pregnancy preparation class, postnatal gymnastics class, etc. I have easily collected enough points for the cash bonus and I got 72 Euros! I can confirm that it really works!

To use this cash bonus, I did a comprehensive body check at a doctor and I paid 50 Euros out of pocket (TK pays for the basic checkup but I want a comprehensive one). I sent my receipt to TK and got all the 50 Euros back in my bank account . After that, I still had 22 Euros left in my balance for other use. These are all managed inside the TK app. I didn’t need to send any paper!

Even when I am not pregnant, I can collect points easily. For example, I got some points already for doing professional teeth cleaning and also for my vaccination. These are things that I anyway will do, even without the TK bonus program. I am really glad that I discovered this program and I can take advantage of it.

Besides the bonus program, the TK app is really great to use. I can finally feel that digitalization is slowly progressing in Germany. With this app, I can see all the prescribed medicines I bought in the past. It also showed me all my history about when I visited a doctor, which doctor was it, and what treatment was done. Based on my age and medical record, the TK app also suggests me checkup like cancer screening.

Besides, you can also submit or download documents like your membership certificate directly from the app. There is also a mailbox in the app where it keeps all the communication between me and TK. I can easily contact TK by writing a message there. No post is needed!

Activities tracking with TK-Fit

In the TK app, there is also a function called TK-Fit. You can connect TK-fit with data sources like Fitbit or Google Fit, etc. TK-fit can then record your activities like walking, running, biking, etc. You can also set a goal to motivate yourself to move more. The best thing is that these activities can then be used in the TK bonus program as money. So, you can even earn money by doing sports which is anyway good for your health!

Cons of TK health insurance

Tk may not be for everyone.

Firstly, not everyone is eligible to take public health insurance. TK can refuse your application if you are not compulsorily public insured (pflichtversichert). For example, it can be hard to get approved if you are from a non-EU country and you move to Germany for self-employment . So, in some cases, you may be forced to take a private health insurance policy.

Besides, for some people, private health insurance can be a better choice than public health insurance like TK. For example, high-income people who are young and healthy. Or those who do not plan to stay in Germany for the long term. In these cases, private health insurance can be much cheaper and have much better coverage. 

We recommend Ottonova for private health insurance because of its 24 hours English support, fast reimbursement, and convenient app (no paperwork needed!). Ottonova also fulfills all legal requirements for your visa. You can  check their plans here now.

Check out also this post for more differences between private vs public health insurance in Germany.

TK only pays for the basics

Like all the other public health insurance in Germany, TK pays for medical treatment that is considered necessary. If you want anything premium, you will have to pay the extra on top. For example, if you want to visit a private doctor, or you want a private room in the hospital or more dental coverage, etc. That is why it is a good idea to take a supplementary private health insurance policy that gives you these extra coverages.

Dental coverage from public health insurance is really basic and not sufficient in my opinion. Talking from my own experience, I have paid too much out of pocket for dental treatment and cleaning. Now, I have additional private dental insurance that can cover the cost better. 

I recommend getting  supplementary dental insurance  from Ottonova due to its English support, fast reimbursement, and cheap price. You can also use  this website  to compare different packages of other supplementary private health insurance.

Check this out:  Best Dental insurance Germany – Top 3 Comparison

A co-payment is needed when you buy medicine

With TK, even though you do not need to pay for your doctor, you will still need to pay for your medicine. On the contrary, many private health insurance policies will cover your prescribed medicine costs.

For over-the-counter medicines, the cost will usually not be covered by private or public insurance companies. Check this post for more details about pharmacies and medicines in Germany.

You will still need a private travel insurance policy

Even though TK covers your medical expenses in other EU countries, the coverage has its limits. TK will cover emergency or any necessary medical care abroad. The cost may be fully covered, or only partially covered. It is because you will still need to pay the same cost that a resident in that foreign country would be charged. So, depending on the country, you may get less reimbursement compared to what you would have gotten in Germany. Besides, medical evacuation from any foreign countries will not be covered.

So, if you are a frequent traveler, especially if you travel often outside of the EU, you would still need to get a private travel insurance policy. In our case, we have a credit card that includes travel insurance. For more details, check this out:  Free Credit Card in Germany – Top 6 For Travel and Cashback

TK review: Who is eligible?

If you are a student studying a degree program in Germany and you are under 30 years old, you are entitled to public health insurance and you can choose TK.

Besides, you must have public health insurance in Germany if you earn less than 5,175 Euro per month (Year 2024). In this case, you can also go for TK health insurance.

If you earn more than that, you have the option to choose private health insurance. But you can also stay with TK if you want. Check out here to see what is better for you:  Private vs Public Health Insurance: What is Better for Expats in Germany?

TK review – How to sign up?

We recommend using  the free service from Feather  to sign up for TK public health insurance. It takes only a few minutes and the sign-up process is 100% in English. Feather also provides English support in case you have any questions.

Sometimes, your employer may help to enroll you in public health insurance. Note that you have the right to choose your desired insurance provider. Just let your employer know in advance.

Once approved, you will receive a TK public health insurance number and insurance card. Make sure to bring this card with you whenever you visit a doctor in Germany.

TK review – Can you change from your current insurance to TK?

If you are with your current public insurance for more than 18 months, you can change to TK with a 2 month notice period. 

If you have private health insurance now, it is more complicated. You can only change back to public health insurance like TK if you earn less than 69,300 Euros per year. And if you are over 55 years old, it is almost impossible to change back to public health insurance.

The reason behind this is simple. If you can change from private to public health insurance as you want, all the young, healthy and good earners will choose private health insurance. They will only change back to public health insurance when they are old and getting sick. It means that people who have public health insurance will be mostly old, poor, and unhealthy. The healthcare system will not work anymore this way.

So, that is all I want to say about TK in this review. When you are looking for health insurance in Germany, the first thing you should know is if you are eligible to get private health insurance. If yes,  is private health insurance or public health insurance more suitable  for your individual situation? In case you choose to get public health insurance, I would highly recommend TK for you. It is cheap, simple, in English, and has great coverage and excellent customer support. You can  sign up here now  by filling the application form in a few minutes!

Pin it for later:

Please be aware that this article is intended to provide you a brief overview of health insurance in Germany. The information and tips in this article are based on personal experiences and thorough research.

This blog is not an insurance broker platform and this article does not represent professional advice. Before purchasing, you should read the fine print of the insurance policy to make sure you understand the details.

This blog is not qualified to give you any financial advice according to German law and we do not accept any form of liability resulting from reading this article. Our blog makes no guarantee as to the accuracy or timeliness of the information in this article.

If you need any more details or the latest information, please refer to the insurance companies’ websites directly. If you need personal insurance advice, please contact an  independent financial adviser .

I hope you learn more about TK after reading this review! Which health insurance company do you use in Germany and why? Leave a comment below and share your experience!

If you found this article helpful, consider supporting this website by buying me a coffee. Every small donation helps to keep this blog alive . You can also ask me any questions here.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Buy me a coffee

5 Replies to “TK Review 2024 – My Personal Experience With TK Health Insurance”

Well, I assume that now for foreign student over 35 years and who studied in Germany private insurance company like MAWISTA offers more affordable prices.

Thanks for your comment! Whether private or public health insurance is better depends on the individual situation. I wrote another article to better explain it: Private vs Public Health Insurance: What is Better for Expats in Germany? For people who want to go for public health insurance, I would suggest TK based on my personal experience.

Hi, thanks for sharing! Any company you can recommend for dental insurance?

Personally I am using UKV. But the reason is that I only started looking for dental insurance after I found out that I have teeth problems. So, not many dental insurance are willing to take me with a reasonable price. That’s why I would really recommend to get insurance before it is too late. If you don’t speak German, Ottonova dental insurance can be a good choice. Otherwise, you can use Tarifcheck to search for dental insurance with the coverage that is most suitable for you.

Hope it helps!

Even Envisas has tie up with TK and provides both Dental and Travel insurances. Please check

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment.

I consent to My Life in Germany collecting and storing the data I submit in this form. (Privacy Policy) *

 Yes, subscribe me and send me my MONEY SAVING GUIDE IN GERMANY for free!

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.

Cookie Settings

TK Health Insurance [My honest Review]

Researched & written

by Yvonne Koppen

June 24, 2024

Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) is one of many public health insurance funds in Germany. With over 11 million insured people, TK is the  largest public health insurance in Germany . TK insurance in Germany also happens to be a favorite insurer amongst expats. In this TK review, we will tell you why and show you how to sign up online in just a few minutes.

🖌️ Table of Contents

Why do so many expats in Germany choose TK?

TK, also known as  die Techniker , makes an effort to be expat-friendly.

TK does not only offer an English website and sign-up process but also supports the following languages online: Spanish, Polish, Turkish, Mandarin, Arabic. You can also contact their customer service via phone and chat in English.

Their website and processes are very simple. TK offers excellent coverage with relatively low costs. As a bonus for expats, TK also qualifies as health insurance for your German visa application.

Unfortunately, once you sign up, your personal Meine-TK page is only in German. We recommend using the Chrome browser and the Google translate feature with a right-click. Or simply download and activate the TK App, which is available in English and gives you access to Meine TK.

Another plus is that you will have almost no paperwork with TK. When logged in, you can download documents for your employer and the immigration office  (Ausländerbehörde)  online. And you can upload a sick leave (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung) without any hassle.

One of the most asked questions in expat forums is how to find an English-speaking doctor. TK helps you out with its doctor finder. You enter your postal code and select the language option English, and within seconds, you will receive a list of doctors in your area. On top of that, TK also offers the TK-AppointmentService. It helps you get an appointment with your doctor, in case you struggle over the phone.

Who can get TK health insurance in Germany?

Health insurance in Germany is mandatory. Most people in Germany can sign up to get TK health insurance. The question is whether you qualify for public health insurance. Anyone earning less than 69.300 euros in 2024 must be insured publicly. Anyone making more than that can opt to be privately insured or choose voluntary public health insurance – which is also possible with TK. There are some cases in which you do not qualify, in such a case private health insurance is your only option.

Read Our Related Guide

Private vs Public Health Insurance In Germany

You can either become a TK member online directly on their homepage and answer a few more questions. Or you can use the simplified sign-up form of the expat insurance service provider Feather .

Bonus from Feather

When signing up with Feather for public health insurance, you benefit from free travel health insurance for the first 90 days of your time in Germany , which is a visa requirement for Non-EU citizens. After sign-up, you will receive an email from Feather to claim your free travel insurance policy.

In case you are still on the job hunt, neither public nor private health insurance might accept you. That is when expat health insurance is your best option. It is temporary health insurance for expats until you find a job and can switch to full-time health insurance.

The benefit of using the free services of Feather to sign up for health insurance is in the case that TK does not accept your application, they can also offer you expat health insurance and save you a lot of time and hassle. Best of all their services are 100% digital, in English, and easy to use.

What does TK insurance in Germany cover?

TK health insurance in Germany has excellent coverage of different medical services. Here are the primary services that are covered by TK:

Visits to the general doctor:  when you are sick, you can visit any doctor of your choice, as long as the doctor has a license as a statutory health insurance fund doctor. It sounds complicated, but it is not. Generally, google for a doctor in your area, use the doctor finder on Meine TK or ask friends and colleagues.

Hospital care and surgeries:  you can always visit the emergency ward  (Notaufnahme)  on a Sunday or after your general doctor is closed. Should you need surgery or stay in a hospital for a longer time, you have to pay a co-payment of 10 euros per day (for up to 28 days per calendar year).

❗️ Important to know

Most doctor’s offices in Germany are closed on Wednesday and Friday afternoons.

Primary dental care:  Preventive dental examinations are covered twice a year. More complex dental treatments, like crowns, are not covered by TK or public health insurance in general. You may want to consider getting supplementary private dental insurance .

Best supplementary dental insurance in Germany

Screening examinations:  Preventative examinations such as a yearly visit to your gynecologist or every second year to your dermatologist are covered.

Medicine:  When your doctor prescribes you medication, you will have to visit a pharmacy to hand in the prescription ( Rezept  – not to be confused with a cooking recipe). You will have to pay a co-payment of 5 to 10 euros, depending on the medicine. TK covers the rest by law.

Vaccinations:  TK covers all vaccinations recommended by the  Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO)  in Germany. For some vaccinations, your doctor will ask you to buy them yourself at a pharmacy. With the prescription and receipt, you can ask for reimbursement via your Meine TK page.

Glasses:  Should your doctor prescribe you glasses, TK will partially cover the costs at a fixed amount. The fixed amount depends on the glasses and is between 10-113 euros per glass.

Family cover:  TK also includes your direct family members for free.

Coverage abroad:  TK health insurance also provides basic cover within the EU. On the back of your TK eHealth card, you will find the EU sign, which makes it a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Upon presenting this card to a doctor or hospital abroad, you will receive the same benefits as residents living in that country.

Word of advice

Since not all countries have the same comprehensive healthcare systems, we always get additional private travel health insurance, for example, from Allianz .

Pregnancy:  TK insurance covers necessary examinations during pregnancy . These services include check-ups (blood pressure, weight, urine, and sugar levels), palpation, blood tests, three basic ultrasound examinations, nutritional recommendations, services connected with childbirth, and more. You should also consult TK, in how far they will cover special treatments like acupuncture. The cover gets expanded, should the pregnancy become risky.

Unemployment:  Should you become unemployed after working in Germany for a minimum of 12 months, you are eligible to receive unemployment money . During that time, the government pays for your health insurance, and you keep the same TK benefits.

• Awarded best public health insurance
• English customer support
• Bonus program
• Doctor appointment service

How much does TK health insurance cost?

The cost of public health insurance in Germany is between 15,5% - 17,3% of your gross income. The state contribution rate is 14,6%. Additionally, each health insurance company ( Krankenkasse ) can charge an additional contribution rate of up to 2,7% to cover their cost.  TK charges an additional contribution rate of 1,2%  (the statutory average is 1,7%).

Your employer covers 50% of your health insurance costs.  TK health insurance costs 15,8% , so 7,9% will automatically be subtracted from your payslip .

Therefore, the more you earn, the more you pay for your health insurance. There is, however, a cap at 62.100 euros gross income per year (5.175 euros gross income per month), which is used to calculate your public health insurance cost. Should you earn more, it won’t impact your health insurance cost.

Freelancers and self-employed choosing to have public health insurance have to pay the full 15,8% themselves. Students pay a  reduced rate  of around 125 euros per month.

Additionally, you also get insured for  long-term care, which cost is 3,4% of your gross income if you have children and 4% if you don’t have children. As an employee, your employer also covers half of these costs (except the additional 0,6% for childless employees), and freelancers or self-employed have to pay it themselves. 

You can use the TK price calculators to know your costs:

• For  employees
• For  self-employed

My personal experience with TK insurance

When I came back to Germany in 2013, I joined Barmer health insurance because my mom was also insured there. However, a few years later, I started doing my own research, as I had heard of added benefits when taking care of your body and going to preventative screenings regularly (which I do).

I changed to TK because their 24h customer service is one of the best, and their bonus program paid partially for my yoga course as a preventative course. You can search for  certified courses  on the TK website.

Although I am German, there is nothing I can complain about being insured with TK – that is a strong statement, as you might have found out already, Germans love to complain 🤓.

Further Reading

Check out our other German insurance guides for expats.

Official TK reviews and ratings

Techniker Krankenkasse is a very good health insurance fund in Germany. That is not only my opinion but also that of many official tests and reviews. The latest being conducted by the magazine Focus Money , naming TK as the best health insurance in Germany for the 17th consecutive time in 2023.

Health insurance in Germany is mandatory. Should you need or want to stick to public health insurance, TK is a fantastic option for you. They have outstanding customer service, also in English, excellent coverage, and low costs.

Get TK health insurance online in just a few minutes by filling out the simplified application form in English provided by Feather and claim your free travel insurance via email afterward.

This article contains affiliate links . When you click on the links to the products we mention in this article and purchase them, we will receive a small commission. It will not make any difference to you in price; however, it allows us to keep Simple Germany alive and striving.

About the Author

Yvonne Koppen is a researcher and writer at Simple Germany, focusing on demystifying German bureaucracy for international skilled workers.

She has lived and worked abroad, which helps her understand how difficult a move to a new country can be. Beyond her professional pursuits, Yvonne loves to plan and go on road trips, puzzle, and do a triathlon here and there.

She is committed to creating accessible, empowering content through her writing and YouTube videos. Yvonne's passion for continuous learning and her ability to simplify complex topics make her an invaluable resource for expats seeking to navigate their new life in Germany.

You Might Also Enjoy These Guides

What is the best liability insurance in germany, 3 best home contents insurances in germany for expats, best dog liability & health insurance in germany, how to get car insurance in germany as a foreigner, best bicycle insurance in germany for expats, ottonova review in english [an honest guide].

Empowering internationals to settle into life in Germany more smoothly.

• Germany Explained
• Service Providers
• Book a Consultation
• What Is A Smoothler?
• Scoring System
• Support Us 💜
• Social Impact
• Podcast Interviews
• Brand Assets

Cookie Policy

Privacy Policy

Refund Policy

in Düsseldorf

© All Rights Reserved. Simple Germany is a trademark registered in the European Union.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Get a recommendation based on your lifestyle

Check insurance needs

Compare health insurances

Feather in-depth

Become a partner

Sign up for TK public health insurance + free travel insurance

When signing up for TK with Feather, we cover your travel insurance from the moment you enter Germany until the moment your health insurance starts, for up to 30 days and 3 dependents.

Who is this for?

For people who have not yet moved to Germany and want to ensure that they are covered from the day they arrive in Germany until the day their public health insurance becomes active, the extra travel insurance we are offering free of charge fulfills visa application requirements.

How can I sign up for both insurance policies?

Why sign up through Feather?

Feather has partnered with TK to provide the most comprehensive insurance with the simplest digital sign-up available.

Free travel insurance

Meets Schengen visa requirements with coverage up to €50.000

No German needed

Every part of the Feather experience is in English.

All digital

Sign up with no paper, no back-and-forth postal mail.

What does TK offer

Excellent public health coverage

TK is one of the foremost public health insurance funds in Germany. With over 10 million members, it is known for providing safe, effective, and reliable coverage.

Best service for expats

Don’t speak German? No problem. TK is known for having great English-language support.

Pre-existing conditions included

TK does not deny coverage for pre-existing conditions. Treatment and medications for such illnesses are covered.

Dependents covered for free

Children and a non-working spouse can be covered under one policy at no additional cost. Signing them up only requires a bit of extra work, but Feather can help you with that.

Why use Feather and how does it help me?

Digital and easy sign-up process, all your insurance policies in one account, fast confirmation via email, sign up digitally with feather. and get free travel insurance. it only takes a few minutes., other policies.

Comprehensive care and cleanings to fill the gaps in public health insurance.

Personal liability

Protection for damage you cause to people or their belongings

Covers the cost of disputes over employment, contracts, and more.

Protection for your home and your belongings

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to sign up.

Submitting your application only takes a few minutes, and getting covered is pretty quick too. You can expect your coverage to be confirmed in as little as a few business days for employed persons. Self-employed and unemployed persons can expect a longer application process, but usually no longer than 14 business days. Let us know if it's super urgent, and we can make it happen much faster!

Do I need to sign up separately for public health insurance and for travel insurance?

Yes, these are two separate insurance policies. Public health insurance is your permanent one but your coverage will only start once your employment starts. Travel insurance is only there to cover you from when you land in Germany to when you start your employment. Therefore, you'll receive two policy confirmations.

How does public health insurance work?

Public, or state health insurance is really quite simple and easy to understand. Your insurance contributions are calculated as a flat percentage of your income. So, if you're earning a high income you can expect to pay more than someone earning a low income. To find out your exact price, see our useful price calculator.

How does travel insurance work?

Travel insurance is temporary insurance for the period between your arrival in Germany and the beginning of your employment. If in that period you need to use the insurance and process a claim, reach out to us and we will assist you in getting your reimbursement processed.

Do these policies fulfill my visa requirements?

Yes, absolutely. No matter which visa you are applying for, coverage by public health insurance topped with travel insurance for the period prior to your employment will satisfy the insurance requirement, no questions asked.

Will I get a social security number or pension number? If so, when?

Yes. Shortly after you've been confirmed as a new member, an official letter will be sent to you from the pension service via post with your social security number. However, if you need the number sooner, or you can't receive postal mail, feel free to get in contact with us and we'll do our best to get it emailed to you.

Will I receive a public health insurance card? If so, when?

Yes. Again, shortly you've been confirmed as a new member, you will be receiving some post mail with more information about how to acquire your ID card. Generally speaking, it takes just one week after your confirmation to get the physical ID card.

Am I eligible for public health insurance?

As long as it’s your first time becoming employed in Germany, yes. And for anyone who has recently relocated to Germany from somewhere else within the E.U. and has been publicly insured there (whether they are self-employed, a freelancer, or unemployed) then yes. In all other cases, it’s hard to say for sure without more specific details. If you have a tricky situation, please feel free to get in touch with our team and they’d be happy to help you.

Am I eligible for travel insurance - free of charge?

Yes, as long as you sign up for public health insurance and for travel insurance with Feather, and you're coming from outside Germany.

What is the maximum duration of the complementary travel insurance?

The maximum period for free coverage is 30 days. Beyond that you'll need to pay out of pocket.

The embassy is asking for a 3-month travel insurance, and you're offering only 1 month, why?

Indeed, certain embassies ask for 3-month travel insurance, but that's when you don't have comprehensive public health insurance on top and are planning to apply for it once you're in Germany. In this case, you'll have both and therefore fully covered not only for 3 months but for the duration you are in Germany thanks to the public health system.

Will this cover my spouse or my family?

Yes. On public health insurance, your children (under 18 years old) and a non-working spouse can be covered for free. On travel insurance, we will cover up to 3 dependents. They need to be under your public health insurance, though.

How do I pay for this policy?

For public health, If you are employed, then your insurance payments will be made directly from your paycheck. Your employer is required by law to pay for half of your policy. The other half will be deducted from your monthly salary. For travel insurance, Feather will bear the cost. That's our way of thanking you for signing up with us.

Does public health insurance cover dental?

Yes, however coverage for dental under public health is quite limited. For example, only simple check ups, fillings, and x-rays are covered. If you'd like a dental cleaning or high-end composite white-colored fillings you would need to consider adding a supplemental dental insurance. Please note that there is no dental coverage while you are still in the period using travel insurance. You'll need to wait until you're covered by your public health insurance to have some dental coverage.

Are my pre-existing conditions covered by public health insurance?

Yes. Chronic illnesses and pre-existing conditions are not excluded from coverage under public health insurance. In most cases, all ongoing medication schedules or treatments are covered. However, certain medications and specific treatments might not be covered outright or may require a copay.

What's the cancellation period for public health insurance?

There is a binding period of 12 months. After the first year, you are free to switch providers at any time. A waiting period of two to three months applies when you choose to switch. In case you are leaving Germany, no cancellation period applies and you can cancel immediately.Explanation: You can only cancel your public health insurance when you leave the country. Otherwise, you can only switch to other providers or private. The waiting period of two months plus the ongoing month always applies even for switchers to private or irregular switchers because of price changes. If the conditions don’t change, the binding period is 12 months applies to everybody.

• Value Package
• Blocked Account
• Health Insurance
• Bank Account
• Indian Education Loans
• Expatrio Scholarship
• Studyfinder
• Study Eligibility Checker
• Accommodation
• Learn German

German Visa Solutions

Studying in Germany

• German Universities
• Free Studies in Germany
• Financing your Studies in Germany
• Application Process to Study in Germany
• Study IT in Germany
• Study Medicine in Germany
• Study Nursing in Germany
• Study Engineering

Study in Germany

• Financing Your Studies
• Study Engineering in Germany
• Working in Germany
• German Business Culture
• Best Cities in Germany for Expats
• After your Bachelor's in Germany
• After your Master's in Germany
• Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)

Work in Germany

• GET A BLOCKED ACCOUNT

TK for international students

TK (or   Techniker Krankenkasse ) is one of the most popular health insurance providers in Germany, and it's a great option for students to turn to during their studies. Health insurance isn't an optional extra in Germany. The law requires all residents, and students, to hold some form of policy, but the type you choose can vary.

Let’s look at how to find the best TK plan for your situation as an international student in Germany.

Contribution rate for students

Firstly, students will need to know about how contribution rates work. Basically, this refers to the fee charged by health insurers to provide coverage. By law, German workers must contribute a minimum of 14.6% of their income - which is shared half and half between employer and employee contributions.

However,   this doesn't usually apply to students, who won't have a regular income.   Nevertheless, health insurance is a requirement for enrolling in German academic courses, so how do contributions work, and do students get a better deal than ordinary workers?

What is the TK contribution rate for students?

The good news is that German health insurers must provide subsidized health insurance for all students aged 30 and under.   This takes the form of a "discount" payment which reduces the cost of your chosen healthcare policy to an average of €115 per month.

However,   this subsidy runs out when you hit 30 , and as many of those studying in Germany are mature students, other solutions will be required.

In this case,   sticking with public health insurance options isn't usually the best option,   as they charge higher rates for younger policyholders.   The best value and tailored plans can often be arranged via private health care providers, which are well worth checking out.

Age limitation

If you are turning 30 during your stay   in Germany,   be aware that you will automatically be enrolled in the state-managed health insurance system.   To switch to a private supplier, you'll need to apply within 3 months of turning 30.

Expatrio Value Package

Simplify your move to Germany with Expatrio's Value Package! Get your mandatory Health Insurance, Blocked Account, free German Bank Account, plus other free benefits!

What is covered by TK Student Health Insurance?

When you sign up for a TK Student Health Insurance policy, you will enjoy the same range of benefits as ordinary German policyholders

There are   no limitations or uncovered conditions for students   - and you will be able to access the same range of providers without restrictions.

The features covered by student policies include:

Two dental check-ups per year   for holders and their dependents. Most basic dental procedures will be wholly or partially covered, though some co-payments may be needed.

Policyholders can use their   eHealth card to fund appointments at general doctors , physiotherapists, mental health practitioners, podiatrists, back specialists, and even providers of alternative therapies such as homeopathy.

Most   hospital procedures will be covered , either completely or in part.

The   Bonus Points program delivers extra benefits   such as acupuncture appointments or gym membership for customers who follow healthy guidelines. Health coverage extends across the European Union.

How do I get my TK eHealth card?

TK also offers other services for students, and the   TK eHealth card   is probably the most important.

To obtain a TK eHealth card, policyholders must supply a passport photo via TK's online portal.   After taking out a policy, you will receive documentation from TK detailing how to apply for the card, so don't worry. Just take their advice and provide the photo. Your card should be supplied in a matter of days.

Students are completely covered by their TK health policy, whether they take out an eHealth card or not.   So it's not essential to do so. However, it's a useful addition to anyone's wallet.

The electronic health card

Learn more about the TK eHealth card while watching the video. The TK eHealth card is your identification card when you visit a doctor. It makes it easier for you to utilise medical services in Germany and abroad. Simply present the handy chip card when you receive medical treatment by doctors, in hospitals or by approved therapists.

Make sure to check out the other videos from the   TK YouTube Channel   - they are really helpful. 

TK eHealth card

The TK eHealth Card is a very useful tool for exploring Europe. It entitles you to attend doctors' surgeries and hospitals across Germany, and is also connected to the EHIC network, which provides coverage throughout the European Union.

Working as a student

Many students will need to supplement their grants and savings with employment income during their time in Germany

And there are plenty of posts available, from catering work to   childcare .   But before they take any positions, students need to be aware of how doing so can affect their health insurance situation.

As a rule, EU students will be allowed to work for 20 hours a week throughout their studies.   Those from outside the EU can also work, and have a quota of either 120 full days or 240 half days every year.

Students can earn up to €520 per month tax-free, but over that point income tax will be applied.   If you breach the working days quota, you will also be forced to pay German social security contributions, and your student status can also be removed.

I work alongside my studies. How does this affect my TK health insurance?

As long as you remain under the working days or hours threshold,   your   health insurance premiums with TK   will be limited as German law requires. However, if you breach the guidelines, the price of healthcare (and living costs in general) can rise immediately.

However, don't let this dissuade you from working your way through university or language courses.   Most foreign students in Germany choose to take part-time work or internships, without harming their subsidized health insurance situation.

For more information, be sure to read Expatrio guide to   working as a student . It should provide the background you need to earn and study without complications.

Monitoring your work days

Monitoring how many days you have worked is very important, so keep a spreadsheet and regularly update your working record. Checking your work total every month can help to avoid breaching working limits.

Find the perfect study program in minutes.

Search through 2,500+ courses across Germany's top universities. Tailored for international students like you.

TK for PhD Students

While undergraduates are covered by BAföG and other subsidies, the situation is slightly different for doctoral candidates

In Germany, PhD students cannot receive state subsidies during their studies.  However, this doesn't mean that your healthcare costs need to spiral. Instead,   most PhD candidates opt for health insurance with providers like TK , which cost relatively little and suit their lifestyles.

If you do join academic research teams during your doctoral studies, this may change your health insurance status.   Because your income will be under the limit for switching to private insurance, your employer will probably switch you to a state-managed scheme. In this case, your premiums will reflect the   Beitragsbemessungsgrenze .

PhD course & working

Remember that if you earn over €520 per month during your PhD course, you will be classed as "employed". This means that you will need to pay contributions for nursing care and social security, just like any other German worker.

Student Status at TK Health Insurance

How long can I keep my student status with my TK health insurance?

If you have taken out a student health insurance plan with TK, this policy cannot usually be extended beyond your 30th birthday.   At that point, the subsidies provided to students will run out, and you will need to take out TK's private health insurance policies for the over 30s.

This isn't always a bad thing from a financial standpoint.   Students receive generous discounts, but insurers like TK also take the youth, fitness, and low risk of PhD students into account when calculating premiums. This should keep your payments within reasonable limits.

Catalog of TK Benefits

At its heart, TK is dedicated to providing comprehensive healthcare insurance packages, and it offers products for a range of situations

Whether customers are students seeking medium-term coverage under state subsidies, or a head of household who wants to ensure that their dependents are covered,   TK   is a go-to insurer. It's also an insurer with several unique features that will appeal to new arrivals in Germany. For instance, TK offers:

TK-Appointment Service

The TK-Appointment Service will arrange doctors' appointments for policyholders whenever they need to see a medical expert.   For no extra fee, TK will take care of bookings, making life easier for people who aren't fluent in German.

Travel Vaccinations

Foreign visitors will appreciate the inclusion of travel vaccinations in TK's packages.   If you want to travel to tropical destinations, TK will pay for malaria or hepatitis vaccinations (although there may be a small supplementary fee for the vaccine itself).

Homeopathy and alternative medicine

If you prefer to rely on natural remedies and alternative therapies, TK is a good insurer to use.  TK will happily refer members to homeopathic practitioners in their region, and will cover the first 60 minutes of consultations.

TK App and Online Services

German private health insurers have embraced the smartphone revolution, meaning that virtually everything required to take out a student health insurance policy can be carried out online

The   TK App   is a great example.   Available for Android and iOS phones, the app lets you submit paperwork, download the insurance certificate required by universities, and access special fitness apps for policyholders.

The app links to the   TK Bonus program , which lets policyholders accumulate points for healthy activities   like running, quitting smoking, and attending dental check-ups.   These points can then be cashed in for Euros, or exchanged for discounted premiums.

Get your Health Insurance

With our Health Insurance Plus you will benefit not only from excellent healthcare coverage, but also from additional benefits specially chosen for you.

German Health Insurance for International Students

Costs of health insurance in germany.

Living Costs for a Student in Germany

This might also be of interest to you

International students in Germany are required by law to have some form of healthcare cover. While most university students are eligible to apply for...

TK (or Techniker Krankenkasse) is one of the most popular health insurance providers in Germany, and it's a great option for students to turn to...

Private Health Insurance in Germany

Most residents in Germany are enrolled in the public healthcare system, but some individuals qualify for both public and private, and can choose...

Public Health Insurance in Germany

Germany has an excellent public (statutory) healthcare system, whereby all residents can access comprehensive medical care. The public healthcare...

Activate your TK-Flex and receive up to €90 annually

The newest addition to Expatrio's Value Package: TK-Flex.

Finding a General Practitioner/Hausarzt in Germany [Guide]

Many people choose to migrate to Germany because of its world-class healthcare system. Finding a general practitioner (GP) or Hausarzt should not be...

TK Benefits and Bonus Program

When you take out a policy with the statutory health insurance provider Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), you won't just be fulfilling your legal...

Health insurance is mandatory by law in Germany, which means it’s essential that you calculate how much it is going to cost you when you’re budgeting...

Health Insurance in Germany

The German healthcare system has long been considered one of the best in Europe and is certainly the oldest of its kind. When it comes to funding,...

PFH Private University of Applied Sciences

Envivas Health Insurance

Strong partnership with many benefits - envivas and techniker.

• Top Service and Consulting Benefit from exclusive private plans tailored for TK members.
• 99% Recommendation Rate Join the community of over 1.7 million TK insured individuals who trust us.
• Easy Online Application Experience a seamless process to secure high-quality healthcare coverage.

We're Enhancing Your Experience!

We are dedicated to providing you with an enhanced digital experience. As part of our website improvements, please note that our product pages will not be available in english for the duration of the update. 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and are working diligently to relaunch our full suite of services, including multilingual support, as quickly as possible. 

Should you require assistance or information in english during this period, please reach out to our customer support team who will be pleased to help.  You can reach us: Monday - Friday from 08:00 AM to 8:00 PM.  0221 - 27 14 05 70

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

• Plan Your Studies
• Study Programs
• Universities
• Health Insurance for International Students
• German Blocked Account
• Germany Student Visa
• Accommodation in Germany
• Learn German
• Living in Germany
• Statistics & News

TK Health Insurance for International Students in Germany

When in Germany, do as Germans do: get health insurance! By now, you probably know that all temporary and permanent residents in Germany must have health insurance . This means you must choose a provider that meets your needs and complies with all regulations. 

Enter Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) , one of Germany’s most popular health insurance companies. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know about getting health insurance with TK as an international student. We will cover benefits, costs, documents needed, & more.

Are International Students Eligible for Health Insurance with TK?

The majority of international students are eligible for health insurance with TK. 

There are some main requirements to be eligible:

• You will enroll at a state or state-recognized university in Germany.
• You are not entitled to benefits under foreign law.
• You don’t have a main employment or self-employment activity (only part-time work).
• You don’t have a primary insurance (e.g. as an employee).

Some students don’t qualify for this insurance and must take out another type. These include:

• Preparatory language course, preparatory college (Studienkolleg), or propaedeutic course students.
• Doctoral students with an employment contract.
• Maisterschüler (advanced artistic or craft training) & Graduiertenstudium (graduate studies beyond the typical master’s level).
• Guest auditor at a university (not formally enrolled at the school).
• Students over the age of 30 (they must get voluntary health insurance).

Why Choose TK as an International Student?

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider TK as your student health insurance provider in Germany:

• Widely trusted. Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) is one of Germany’s largest statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung – GKV) providers. About 11 million people in Germany are insured with TK.
• Super convenient. Germany doesn’t have the biggest reputation for digitalized services, but TK will pleasantly surprise you. Everything is streamlined, from their online application forms and eHealth card to 24/7 customer service and medical advice through  TK-MediCall.
• International-friendly. The application process, TK app, and website resources are all available in English.
• Coverage within the EU included. When traveling on weekends or during semester breaks, TK’s EHIC network grants you access to necessary public health services in EU countries + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
• Satisfied insurees . Results from a 2023 customer survey report a 97.0% satisfaction rate among people insured with TK. 
• One of the most affordable insurances. TK charges an additional contribution of only 1.2%, in comparison to a 1.7% national average.

How to Enroll in TK Health Insurance

Registering for TK student health insurance is pretty straightforward. Simply click on this form , and follow the instructions. 

The application form requires you to provide the following:

• Information about your current insurance coverage (if you have one)
• Information for verifying student health insurance (the university you’ll attend, stating if you receive any benefits, employment status)
• Personal details and start of insurance (name, contact information, birth and nationality details, insurance status)
• Payment information (monthly/full semester contributions)
• Photo for the TK eHealth card (you can choose to upload it later)
• Registration confirmation (Anmeldebescheinigung)
• Birth certificate of your child(ren), if applicable

You can choose to upload these documents later. After sending your application, you’ll receive a 7-character application ID, so write that down somewhere.

How Long Until I Receive My TK eHealth Card?

You will receive the TK eHealth card around two weeks before your insurance starts . TK will send you a letter in advance with instructions on submitting your passport photo online. After you do so, it takes around four weeks for them to produce your card.

You can check your application status on TK Boarding . Simply type the application ID provided to you after completing the online application form.

What Does TK Health Insurance Cover?

Since Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) is a statutory health insurance provider, their student health insurance covers all health services and treatments required by law. 

According to section 70 of the Sozialgesetzbuch (SGB) Fünftes Buch (V) (Book 5 of the Social Code):

“The health insurance funds and service providers must ensure an adequate and consistent supply of services to the insured, corresponding to the generally recognized state of medical knowledge. The care of the insured must be sufficient and appropriate, must not exceed the necessary level, and must be provided with the required professional quality and economically.”

This means that every one insured with public health insurance receives the same benefits. 

These include coverage for: 

• Hospital treatment – necessary in-patient and out-patient hospital visits are fully or partially covered.
• GP and doctor’s visits – including specialists such as when you’re referred by a general doctor.
• Prescription medication – usually with a small co-payment of €5 to €10 maximum.
• Preventative care – including vaccinations, check-ups, and early detection screenings.
• Primary dental care – bi-annual check-ups and coverage for basic and necessary dental treatments and surgeries.
• Vision care – eye specialist visits + glasses (cover ranging from €19.31 to more than €100 per lens) for severe vision defects, significant astigmatism, or severe visual impairment.
• Hearing care – including hearing aids costing up to €1,775.30.
• Maternity care – comprehensive health care by statutory health insurance doctors and midwives.
• Osteopathic treatments – up to three sessions per calendar year (€40 per session).
• Rehabilitation – TK covers costs of contractually agreed treatments, including trips to the rehab center, meals, etc.
• Mental health services – systemic therapy, behavioral therapy, analytical psychotherapy, and depth psychology-based psychotherapy.

For the full list of covered services, read more here.

How Much Does TK Health Insurance Cost?

The cost of student health insurance with TK ranges from €112.22 to €125.21 per month.  

How much you’ll pay with TK depends on three factors:

• Whether you’re taking it as statutory health insurance (most students fit this category) or as voluntary health insurance
• Whether you have children and, if yes, how many children you have

Here is the entire breakdown of monthly costs depending on your circumstances:

Cost of Insurance for Students Over the Age of 30

Students aged 30 and above don’t qualify for the more affordable statutory health insurance and must instead opt for voluntary health insurance (freiwilligen Versicherung). 

How much you pay depends on whether you have an income and if so, the type of income you have. For more details on how it’s calculated, visit TK’s website .

Here is the minimum amount you can pay if you don’t have an income:

Cost of Insurance for Employed PhD Students

In the case that you start your PhD before completing your master’s degree, diplom, or state examination, you can register with TK for student insurance. Otherwise, you will have to be compulsorily insured. Since PhD students are usually employed and have a contract with the university where they’ll be researching, the following contribution rates apply:

• 14.6% general contribution rate.
• 1.2% TK additional contribution rate (Zusatzbeitragssatz).
• 2.4% – 4.0% long-term care insurance * (the more children you have, the lower)

= from 18.2% to 19.8% of your gross monthly salary . Half is paid by your employer, and half is deducted from your paycheck.

For example, if your monthly gross PhD salary is €3,500 and you don’t have any children, you will pay half of 14.6%+ 1.2% + 4.0%= 9.9% which is €346.5 per month.

How to Use TK Health Insurance

After you register and receive your TK card, accessing healthcare services is easy. All you have to do is have the card with you and present it when you receive medical treatment.

To set up an appointment, check out the TK Doctors guide to find a medical doctor or psychologist. You can also find them on your own, but make sure to inform them of your insurance beforehand. 

After the treatment, the doctor will directly bill TK through your TK card.

Using TK in Pharmacies

If you are prescribed medicine, they will issue it as an E-prescription that you can access via your TK app. 

Some medicine categories aren’t yet issued as E-prescriptions: stronger medicines written on yellow prescription papers, which are subject to stricter regulations, and T-prescriptions , issued for drugs with the highest safety precautions.

If the doctor recommends a medicine and writes it on a green paper, that is usually considered non-prescription medication and is not covered by TK. 

For prescriptions, you will pay 10% of the drug’s price per pack (this can’t be lower than €5 or exceed €10), while the rest is billed to TK. For example, you will €5 for drugs that cost €10. However, you will only pay €10 for a drug that costs €400.

What if I Can’t Find an Appointment With a Doctor?

TK has designed the TK-AppointmentService to help ease the burden of arranging an appointment with a doctor. All you need to do is call 040 – 46 06 61 92 20 (Monday to Friday from 7 AM to 10 PM). This service is suitable for emergency appointments, though.

FAQs about TK Health Insurance for International Students

Here are answers to some more frequently asked questions about TK health insurance for students:

What Happens if I Have a Pre-existing Medical Condition?

Public health insurance cannot deny coverage or charge extra fees for pre-existing medical conditions. Therefore, if you meet all the criteria to be insured as a student and have a pre-existing medical condition, you are still eligible for insurance with TK.

Can I Switch to TK Health Insurance From Another Health Insurance Provider?

Yes, you can apply to enroll with TK as instructed in our article. Generally, you need to have been with your current provider for at least 12 months, but there are exceptions. There’s no need to terminate your prior insurance, as TK will inform them of your change. 

Usually, a two-month notice period is required for this change, but it can vary due to legal rules and special circumstances.

Are There Discounts or Special Programs for International Students with TK Health Insurance?

The TK student health insurance is subsidized for students up to the age of 30. This means that the payment is already cheaper than if you were employed in Germany.

Plus, apart from essential healthcare services required by law, TK offers additional benefits as an incentive to promote well-being and preventative care. Those include but are not limited to:

• TK Bonus Plan – receive cash bonuses for participating in preventative activities (exercise, regular doctor’s appointments, health & nutrition classes, and more).
• TK-Fit – benefit from the fitness program within the TK app and win money for meeting exercise targets.
• Health courses – TK covers up to 80% of courses found on their website (Gesundheitskurssuche).

What Happens to My TK Account if I Have to Leave the Country?

If you’re permanently leaving Germany, you need to terminate your insurance with TK. All you need to do is fill out and attach this form . You also need to attach proof that you will be moving out of the country if you’re from a non-EU country. 

This can include:

• Deregistration certificate from the residents’ registration office (Abmeldebescheinigung)
• Deregistration certificate from the university
• Flight ticket, etc.

What Is the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?

You will find the European Health Insurance Card on the back of your TK eHealth card. The EHIC grants you access to public healthcare services free of charge or at a reduced rate in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom*.

*The United Kingdom has replaced the EHIC with the UK GHIC. If you have an existing EHIC, you can use it up until its expiry date on the card.

Studying-in-Germany.org is the largest information portal about studying in Germany for foreign students.

We publish news about the latest German higher education system changes and education policy updates, as well as a vast amount of informational content, articles, and research about studying in Germany for international students.

Learn more about us

Quick Links

• 8 Steps to Study in Germany
• German Education System
• Requirements
• Universities in Germany
• International Programmes
• Funding Your Education
• German Student Visa
• German Health Insurance
• Germany Blocked Account
• Learn German Guide
• Cost of Living

Latest News and Statistics

German universities receive €220 million to improve international mobility for students & staff, german universities registered 9% increase in guest students in winter semester 2023/24, bachelor students in germany more likely to drop out within first academic year, higher education in germany: key trends & statistics, new study reveals high level of satisfaction among students at german universities.

© 2012 - 2024 - Studying in Germany - All Rights Reserved.

• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy

Press ESC to close

Bureaucracy » Health insurance in Germany: the intro you should really read first » Techniker Krankenkasse health insurance – A long term review

Techniker Krankenkasse health insurance – A long term review

I was as confused as you when first looking at health insurance options in Germany. The system is pretty damn complex. And then comes the time to pick a Krankenkasse. If you are reading those lines, you may have already decided to go for public one. TK or AOK are probably high on your list.

This Techniker Krankenkasse review is aiming at providing enough elements so you can make your own informed decision. It is based on 10 years-long membership, on real-life and on additional research. Dive in and feel free to leave questions in the comments.

Techniker Krankenkasse review: TL;DR

These points are the main take away of this Techniker Krankenkasse review:

• It has been rated the best public health insurance option consistently for 14 years.
• Techniker Krankenkasse does offer customer support in English, although it may take more time or be more difficult to get to an agent.
• It is also the largest Krankenkasse with more than 10 millions members.
• It is not the cheapest public Krankenkasse, but it is priced below national average.
• I have been personally satisfied with it for 10 years (through 1 surgery, 3 pregnancies, as an employee, unemployed and as a freelancer).
• Sign-up is easy and fast. You can even do it completely digitally and in English here too.

Still undecided? Full Techniker Krankenkasse review below :)

A few words of context

The largest public health insurance company in Germany is the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). It was founded in 1884 as the “Registered Auxiliary Fund for Architects, Engineers and Technicians” and was only accessible to these professional groups until 1996. Today it is open to everyone and has around 10.5 million insured persons.

The headquarters of the TK is based in Hamburg and nationwide it employs almost 14,000 staff in its around 200 branches across Germany. It is not the cheapest but it still has a relatively low contribution rate at 15.3 percent and provides a strong service offer with good additional benefits, such as alternative medicine. 

As you might already know, f ees for public insurance is set by law. They range between 14.80 – 16.30 % of your gross income but are capped at €66,600. Any income higher than that point will you pay the maximum possible fee (around €470 per month as an employee and €920 as a freelancer). You can expect to pay a minimum indirect or direct contribution of €220 per month unless you are a student under 30 years old. Here are more details:

Costs for TK health insurance for employees

If you’re employed, your contributions are half paid by your employer , with the rest coming out of your salary (7.3 – 8.3 % of your income). If you’re an Azubi (apprentice), you will also be treated as an employee, unless you earn less than €325 per month, in which case the employer must pay your health insurance.

If you are unemployed, you pay the minimum contribution at €220 per month, or you can use your spouse’s or parent’s health insurance for free. Otherwise, you can register as unemployed and the government will pay it for you.

Costs for TK health insurance for self-employed

If you’re self-employed you are responsible to bear the complete amount yourself. The costs are based on your estimated income (15,30% of that). You will either get reimbursed if you pay too much or have to pay more if you don’t pay enough. if you make less than 1,131.67€ per month , you pay the minimum price ( Mindestbeitrag ) around 210€/month.. The same applies to a Minijob.  Please note that those costs are deductible .

Costs for TK health insurance for students

If you are a student under 23 years old you can expect to pay around €105 per month, unless you make less than €520 per month in which case you can use your parents’ or spouse’s health insurance . Otherwise, if you are an Erasmus student from an EU country you can use your EHIC card to temporarily cover you during the duration of your studies. However, if you were to start working you’d have to get on your own health insurance. For students between 23 and 30 years old, the same applies – you can use you relatives’ policy, otherwise you must contribute around 106€ per month.  The fee includes a contribution to nursing costs and is related to long-term care.

Students over 30 years old can expect to pay around €220 per month. If you’re a new arrival in Germany, you might need to get private insurance (l ike an incoming insurance ) if refused by public providers. Students in preparatory or language courses are also not entitled to public health insurances providers like TK.

An additional contribution rate, typically less than 1 percent, is added to the state contribution by public health insurance companies – TK has one of the lowest at 0.7%. Unless you are freelancing, it is equally divided between employers and employees – just like the state contribution rate. 

Techniker Krankenkasse review: what’s covered, what’s not

Techniker Krankenkasse offers its policyholders a variety of advantages while providing a wide range of benefits tailored to each person’s situation and needs . It covers the cost of services like GP (general practitioner) appointments, basic dental care, in-hospital treatment and out-patient treatments, among others.

TK provides a good overall service. If you place value on additional examinations during pregnancy, extensive early cancer detection and professional tooth cleaning, you may find the services insufficient. A report by The Finanztip (in German ) discovered that other providers offered a wider range of services here.

TK insurance covers the following:

• GP Appointments. You can book an appointment with whichever doctor you like, via the TK Appointment service or directly with the doctor, as long as they are licensed to treat patients covered by public insurance. Any paperwork will be settled between the doctor and TK. Specialists appointments, medical telephone consultations and second medical opinions are also available.
• Hospital Treatment. Hospital care is always included, besides a co-payment amount of €10 per calendar day with a maximum of 28 days per calendar year
• Pregnancy. If both you and your partner are TK insured, artificial insemination costs an additional €250 per attempt. Pregnancy examinations are included only within the scope of the regional “BabyFocus” care contracts. A midwife on-call service can set you back a maximum of €250.
• Basic dental care. The insurance covers basic dental examinations twice a year. Via the bonus program, you can also seal your front molars.
• Medicine and Medical Dressings. Prescribed medical prescriptions are included, besides a co-payment of at least €5 (maximum €10) at a pharmacy.
• Vaccination: Any vaccinations recommended by the Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO), including those required for private holidays, are covered.
• Screening examinations. Preventative examinations are also covered by the insurance scheme. From the age of 20, for example, you will be able to get bi-yearly checkups for skin cancer.
• Glasses and lenses. Glasses/ lenses are also covered to a fixed amount between €10 and €113 per glass.
• Free family insurance. Immediate family members, such as children or spouses, can be included in the costs of the insurance with no additional charges.
• Travel insurance . The TK Health card includes a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) on the back which covers the cost of temporary and emergency treatment whilst travelling abroad in an EU country (as well as Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Switzerland). It also has special contracts with hospitals in various European and non-European countries, to ensure you get the medical assistance you need everywhere.
• Alternative medicine. Homeopathic treatments are available with participating doctors. If prescribed by a doctor, alternative medicine can be obtained with a maximum price of €100 and osteopathy can cost €40 per session for a max 3 sessions per year.
• Prevention classes : You can even signup for certified courses (like Yoga for example) and have up to 80% of the fee covered.

My experience with TK in Germany

Everyday routine stuff.

In my personal experience, I’ve found the system to include a a bit more paperwork than I’m used to, but besides that everything is handled for you pretty smoothly . In other countries, I’ve found that the interaction was solely with the doctor or medical practitioner as opposed to a third party administrator. That said, I can say I always felt in good hands when calling the hotline. The support agents are always patient and helpful.

For women’s sexual health, however, I’ve been told that the offering in Germany to be very behind what I’m used to elsewhere – with often expensive costs charged and not subsidized in the price of the health insurance. This would not be the case in Britain or in France where all contraception, such as the pill, or tests are free and easily accessible.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that basic dental examinations and some work is included in the price of the insurance . In other countries, this service might be subsidized or not covered at all.  However, devil is in the details. For dental treatments for example, some stuff is only partially covered and may super expensive. In this case, a n additional dental insurance might be smart. Or else, only inferior materials may be covered.

I had all my wisdom teeth removed as well, and it all went fine.

I was a TK member as an employee, unemployed and as a freelancer, I didn’t find it had major impact with my relationship with them. They were helpful during transition periods.

Going to specialists

I cannot honestly report accurately on this from my personal experience as I needed to go see a specialist only twice during my time in Germany (still young and fit!). However, you will hear often that privately insured patient will experience less waiting times to see specialists (or GP for that matter). It is true that I had to wait a few weeks in my case for each appointment. That might stretch for months in some other cases, but t hat drawback is not unique to TK .

As I had consulted with my GP first, all my appointment with specialists were covered by TK with no issue .

During that time with them, I also went through an abdominal surgery and never felt like a second-class patient or anything like that. The major highlighted benefit you supposedly don’t have with a public Krankenkasse is to have access to the “chief surgeon”. That’s reserved in priority to privately insured patients. This never really bothered me personally because the surgeon doesn’t have to be the most experienced in the room to do well. But yeah sure: maybe if I were privately insured, I could have stayed the night or gotten a better private room.

I also became a parent thrice and again, never felt like the care and treatment was any worse because we were with TK. Both times we were able to have a single room (for both of us, a family room) after the births for some privacy and rest. There were also no problems transitioning both my kids under my own policy.

My experience with TK’s customer service

TK’s customer service is available 24/7 via online chat and over the telephone, with English language support for those who need it. A customer-oriented approach follows cases from the beginning up until completion with clear and detailed advice at every step. According to an internal assessment, the average waiting time was only 29 seconds . This is in line with my own experience but you may wait longer if you are waiting for English-speaking advisors.

If you’d prefer to discuss health concerns face to face, you can get advice at one of the many branches too. However, those branches tend to be spare in east Germany.

How to sign-up for Techniker Krankenkasse, fast

To get TK health insurance in Germany, you can use this form to fast track the process and 100% in English. You will receive an email confirmation of insurance within 2 working days. Then you just have to submit a passport photo for the insurance card, and receive it by post a few days later.

A quick look at the website: fairly bare-bones, but does the job

No Techniker Krankenkasse review would be complete without looking at the digital offering. First some good news: as wtih customer service, parts of the website including application forms are available in English. Unfortunately, the rest of the website, such as the members’ area (Meine TK), and all correspondence is officially in German. Support is available and easily accessible if you get stuck, this time in English too.

The English homepage consists of a very clean interface. It is customer-oriented and clearly structured featuring all the information you may need and spaces to click if you want to find out more. For instance, if you click “Learn more” you are automatically directed to a page that aims to encourage you to become a member of TK with simple facts and links to the application form.

The home page also features: frequently asked questions, ways to get in touch, links for the application form, as well as additional benefits to being a member.

In the members’ area, Meine TK , there is space for you to update your personal information and check your online messages – you can opt to receive all mail online. You will be notified by email of any new messages, which you can access by entering an SMS code. Documents or downloads can be submitted online – there is rarely the need to send something by mail. You can also download documents for your employer, the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) and BAföG (state funding for students) straight from TK’s website.

Techniker Krankenkasse review – App: a genuine use case.

Besides the website, there is an app you can download for your smartphone to deal with any health insurance related concerns. The app has received a 4.8 star rating on the Apple store. 

Upon download, an interactive interface gives you the option of English or German before guiding you through the use of the app. 

After following the introduction you are then asked if you would like to “Start now” or “Become a TK member”. “Start now” leads you to data consensus forms and then a login form requiring your insurance number and password. 

You can easily download important certificates, documents for your employer, reorder your insurance card, contact support, participate in the TK bonus program and more. 

https://youtu.be/YLUqGJ6pOMs

Extras: the TK bonus program

Reviewing the Techniker Krankenasse made me actually discover this, after 10 years at TK! . TK’s bonus scheme motivates members to stay fit and healthy, with a rewards scheme that enables them to earn money or support towards health services, such as dental care, massages, or gym membership, or even hard-cash! ( Full list here ). Every action taken to stay healthy can be credited to your points account, including the use of apps like GoogleFit, Fitbit or AppleHealth.

If you are using the TK-App, this is all very easily done. You need to first sign-up for this program via your account or calling the hotline.

Techniker Krankenkasse health insurance review: what are ratings saying?

Surveys conducted by the Techniker Krankenkasse indicated a 96.8% overall satisfaction ratin g with its services. It has been nominated as “Germany’s best Krankenkasse” for the last 17 years and ranked #1 in the both the Deutsche Finanz-Service test and the Testsieger-Berichte test .

Techniker Krankenkasse review – FAQ

Techniker Krankenkasse also fulfills all the health insurance requirements for a German visa application .

It costs 15,30% of your income. The contribution is split between your and your employer. As a freelancer, you bare all costs yourself but they are deductible. As a student, you only pay around 105€.

If those relatives don’t have any resources of their own, you can take them on free of charge. This would spouse, children, stepchildren, adopted children, grand parents.

Yes, but it may take a little longer to reach English-speaking agents.

Yes. You do not need to pick from an official certified list of certified doctors. However, some treatments may need preapproval from TK.

TK covers all routine checks and appointments, as well as most treatments, at least in part. Only certain treatments are not covered by TK at all. Full list in this post here.

I hope this TK review helped on your way to pick health insurance in Germany. If you need to a bigger introduction to the topic of health insurance in Germany, check this page. Otherwise, feel free to ask questions in the comments.

Share Article:

Bastien - settle in berlin.

Active since 2011, I help any newcomer tackle all practical aspects of moving to Germany. Everyday, up to 2500 visitors come find answers on registration, tax returns, unemployment, insurance, visa applications and more. Over the years, the value of this work has been recognized and featured on Expat.com, Vice, Berliner Zeitung, Financial Times & more.  

Elterngeld: this is how you can claim parental benefits in Germany

N26 review: the banking champion for newcomers.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

What a wonderful website. Thanks for the support and effort you put into this website.

Hey Samuel. Thanks a lot for that comment! It means a lot!

Hi thanks for the information. Where does the 180€ per month come from for unemployed people? I’ve been with TK for a few years and was unemployed, registered as unemployed but not receiving benefits for 2,5 months. The bill for this is about 2300€!

Hey Rach. Here is the source . What was your income level before going unemployed?

Hey! Thanks for this. I wanted to double check this: Glasses and lenses. Glasses/ lenses are also covered to a fixed amount between €10 and €113 per glass. Ive asked TK in english, and they told me they dont cover except I am basically legally blind. Is that so in your experience? Thanks

Hey Andres. I only have a slight myopia/nearsightedness in on eye so I didn’t even check if TK would cover it. What you heard from TK is right, its also what they state on here . I’m glad there are cheaper providers out-there like MrSpex thankfully.

Thank you a lot Bastien!

Hey Jonas. No problem. : )

Insurance for travels to Germany and Europe

For foreign visitors

For au pairs

For students and educational travel

Bot Protection Firewall

Blocked because of Malicious Activities

Reference ID: 150954799866c023e538ffa

• How do I find a doctor near me?
• How do I get an appointment with my doctor?
• How and when do I get my TK eHealth card?

What are the health insurance cont­ri­bu­tions for students?

As a compulsorily insured student, you pay a standard contribution (applies throughout Germany) based on the maintenance need (requirement rate) defined by the BAföG [German Federal Education and Training Assistance Act] - regardless of whether or not you receive BAföG assistance yourself. 

More details

Health insurance for students in germany.

* Statutory contribution for students made up of 82.99 EUR plus the TK-specific supplementary contribution rate of 9.74 EUR.

* Statutory contribution for students made up of 87,38  EUR plus the TK-specific supplementary contribution rate of 10,26 EUR.

** How much do I have to pay for long-term care insurance

When you reach the age of 30

We can only extend the insurance beyond your 30th birthday under certain circumstances.

When your student insurance expires, you will need to pay the regular contributions for voluntarily insured persons. The amount is based on your income. If you have no income you pay the minimum contribution:

* includes the TK-specific supplementary contribution rate of 13,58 EUR

To calculate your contributions individually, we will be happy to send you an application - just contact us to request one. You can reach our TK-ServiceTeam by phone at +49 40 - 46 06 62 53 00  (24 hours a day, 365 days a year). 

Pay contributions monthly using direct debit

The easiest and convenient way is to set up a Direct Debit Mandate with us. We will then debit your contribution from your bank account every month. Otherwise, you have to pay the entire semester contribution in advance. 

Reasons for extending the student health insurance

Under certain conditions, we can extend the student health insurance.

Reasons for extending the insurance past the qualifying age limit:

• birth of a child
• providing care for a disabled or sick relative
• member of a committee or council pf a higher education institution
• non-admission to a study programme
• basic military service or alternative community service
• voluntary social year
• second chance and further education
• Bundesfreiwilligendienst (BFD) [German state voluntary service programme]
• comparable approved voluntary service (e.g. Internationaler Jugendfreiwilligendienst (IJFD) [International Youth Volunteer Service]
• attendance of a Studienkolleg [preparatory college] as a mandatory requirement for admission to a study programme
• registration with a preparatory language course as a mandatory prerequisite for admission to a study programme

• Travel Planning Center
• Ticket Changes & Refunds
• Airline Partners
• Check-in & Security
• Delta Sky Club®
• Airport Maps & Locations
• Flight Deals
• Flight Schedules
• Destinations
• Onboard Experience
• Delta Cruises
• Delta Vacations
• Delta Car Rentals
• Delta Stays
• Onboard Wi-Fi
• Delta Trip Protection
• How to Earn Miles
• Ways to Redeem Miles
• Buy or Transfer Miles
• Travel with Miles
• SkyMiles Partners & Offers
• SkyMiles Award Deals
• SkyMiles Credit Cards
• SkyMiles Airline Partners
• SkyMiles Program Overview​
• How to Get Medallion Status​
• Benefits at Each Tier
• News & Updates
• Help Center
• Travel Planning FAQs
• Certificates & eCredits
• Accessible Travel Services
• Child & Infant Travel
• Special Circumstances
• SkyMiles Help

Tropical Storm Ernesto

Due to forecasted path of Tropical Storm Ernesto, travel may be impacted to/from/through the destination(s) listed below. Check flight status frequently for up-to-the-minute information about your flight plans, or get updates sent directly to your mobile device or by email with  One-Time Notification.  

Future Travel Rebooking Options:

• A fare difference may apply when the waiver is class to class restrictive and the original booking class is not maintained in the rebooked itinerary.
• When rebooked travel occurs after August 18, 2024, a difference in fare may apply.
• If travel is not able to be rescheduled within these guidelines, customers may cancel their reservation and apply any unused value of the ticket toward the purchase of a new ticket for a period of one year from the original ticket issuance.  Applicable fare difference may apply for new travel dates. Final travel must be completed by end of ticket validity.

Conditions and Restrictions

Eligibility only for customers with an Original Ticket Issue Date on or before August 12, 2024. Changes to origins and destinations may increase fares. Any difference in fare between your original ticket and the new ticket will be collected at the time of booking.

• Investor Relations
• Business Travel
• Travel Agents
• Comment/Complaint
• Browser Compatibility
• Accessibility
• Booking Information
• Customer Commitment
• Tarmac Delay Plan
• Sustainability
• Contract of Carriage
• Cookies, Privacy & Security
• Combatting Modern Slavery (PDF)