People rely on you at work, and you can rely on Barmer
All kinds of challenges may arise in your professional life. With Barmer, you can rest assured that you‘re in safe hands with complete health cover. We work with the best medical professionals, and our healthcare and treatment plans are especially varied and flexible. Digital services, like the Barmer App, support you in everyday life, promote your health and improve your work/life balance.
Top cover and professional advice
The best medical care and expertise, nationwide: There are times when only the very best will do. At Barmer, we connect our members to highly qualified specialists throughout Germany with whom we have contractual agreements. You benefit from the highest quality medical care, and depending on the physician, from an additional payment discount of up to 150 euros. If you have a special illness or are in need of an operation, we support you in getting a second opinion and an earlier appointment with a specialist physician via our waiting time management service.
100 percent reimbursement of the costs for travel vaccinations: Are certain vaccinations required for your travels abroad? We cover the full costs for these, so you have more money left over to enjoy your holiday.
Naturopathic and alternative medicine: Do you prefer a natural approach? Then look no further than Barmer! Take advantage of exclusive conditions offered by our health insurance partner HUK-COBURG Krankenversicherung. With additional outpatient cover, you‘re reimbursed up to 80 percent* of the costs for alternative medical treatments, naturopathic therapies and osteopathy.
Your life is digital – and so is Barmer
The Barmer App – manage all important communication from wherever you are: Our online service centre and secure member area Meine Barmer allows you to access many of our services digitally via smartphone app or internet browser. For example, you can use this to review patient records, upload your sick notes or make changes to your personal details. Your personal online mailbox enables you to communicate information directly and securely with Barmer. The integrated health manager also helps you to schedule and keep track of important medical appointments.
Rest well with our sleeping aid: You can work better when you‘re well rested. Our Alexa Skill or GoogleHome Action Schlafenszeit (Bedtime) is the ideal way to relax.
Ways for you to save your hard-earned money
Receive a payout of up to 100 euros or other attractive bonuses each year: The Barmer Bonus Program allows you and co-insured family members to collect bonus points by engaging in health-promoting activities, such as joining an exercise class. You can then redeem these points directly in the app to purchase special rewards.
Optional tariff – up to 100 euros cashback annually: With our Pro Fit tariff, you can be reimbursed up to 100 euros each year if you make no or only a small number of claims.
Lifelong learning - allowances for health-promoting courses: We contribute up to 200 euros annually towards health education courses on exercise and fitness, nutrition, relaxation and addiction.
6 steps for a perfect start as employee
There are only a few things that are absolutely indispensable when you‘re new in Germany as an employee. We walk you through them step by step and tell you where to go to get what you need.
Step 1: Your registration
Once you‘ve found somewhere to live, you have to register your new address with the Einwohnermeldeamt (residents’ registration office). You can usually do this at the Rathaus (town hall) or Bürgeramt (administrative office for citizens). In most cases, you need to present proof of your new residential address. You are then issued with an Anmeldebestätigung (confirmation of address registration), which is a document needed for many administrative tasks in Germany. For any questions regarding address registration, you can call the number 115 or visit www.115.de/en.
Step 2: Your tax ID number
During your first registration at the Einwohnermeldeamt (Residents registration office), a notification is automatically sent to the Bundeszentralamt für Steuern (Federal Central Tax Office). Your steuerliche Identifikationsnummer (Tax ID Number) is then issued and sent via standard post to your registered address, usually within 2 weeks. In some cases, your employer can also apply for this number on your behalf. For employees in Germany who have their main residence (domicile) in another country, a Tax-ID Number can be organized at the local tax office. The Tax ID Number never changes and is required when you open a German bank account or start working.
Step 3: Your health insurance
In Germany, you also need health insurance cover. Barmer is one of Germany‘s largest health insurance companies. In case that you have any question please call our service hotline. A Barmer representative will be able to tell you the quickest and simplest way of joining. You also can use the button “become a member”. We‘ll then take care of informing your employer or university about your health insurance policy on your behalf.
Step 4: Your social security number
You‘ll also need a social security number (Rentenversicherungsnummer or RVNR), so that your employer can pay you and we can process your health insurance contributions. Barmer can apply for this number on your behalf, and you‘ll receive it in the post a few days later. Then you can give the number to your new employer.
Step 5: Your bank account
Next, you‘ll need to open a current account with a German bank. To do this, you will also need your confirmation of address registration and tax ID number. It‘s a good idea to compare offers first, as some banks don‘t charge account maintenance fees for current accounts.
Step 6: Your visa
When you apply for your visa, authorities check whether your educational degrees are recognised in Germany. In the case they are, you will receive a visa for four years upon submission of the relevant documents (employment contract, certificates, passport and passport photo). However, if your degree is not recognised, your future employer and you have to submit your certificates for evaluation by the German authorities. If the result of the evaluation is positive, you can go ahead with the visa application process. Further information can be found at: www.auswaertiges-amt.de/en
