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Health Guide

The European Health Insurance Card: This is what you need to know

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Editors:
Ricarda Klinkow
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To schedule doctor’s appointments, undergo medical treatment, or access other health insurance services in Germany, you need a national electronic health insurance card or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Here, you will find additional information about these cards, their coverage, and what steps to take in a medical emergency.

Temporary stays: Claiming public health care services in Germany

Even if you are in Germany on a temporary basis, such as for several weeks or months as an international student or foreign employee, holding a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) qualifies you to receive medical treatment and insurance services in Germany.

Should you fall ill or sustain an injury during your temporary stay, you can use the EHIC to claim statutory health insurance benefits. Your card is required for doctor visits, appointments with specialists, or medical emergencies. It covers the costs for health insurance services at contractual insurance providers. Bear in mind that you may need to pay for the services upfront, but you will be reimbursed by the respective insurer.

However, the EHIC should not be considered a substitute for travel insurance, as certain health insurance services are not covered under the public insurance system in Germany. Therefore, to claim such services, such as specific treatments or medicine, you must cover the costs yourself. In such cases, you will be asked beforehand to provide written consent.

Eine Studentin lernt auf dem Boden mit Papierkram

The European Health Insurance Card offers insurance cover in all EU states as well as many other European countries and even some non-European territories.

How do you apply for the European Health Insurance Card?

Two factors determine your eligibility to obtain the EHIC. You must:

  • Be from one of the European Union (EU) member states, the United Kingdom, or countries belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA), like Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
  • As well as be covered by public health insurance in the country of primary residence.

If you meet these criteria, you should contact your public insurance provider to inquire about their specific application procedures and whether it is already included in your international health insurance card.

However, if you are from a country not listed above or are privately insured, and you are temporarily staying in Germany, you are not eligible to apply for an EHIC. In this case, you should also contact your insurer to clarify the extent of your coverage. Taking out additional private insurance may thus be necessary to cover unexpected costs for medical treatments while abroad.

Permanent residents: Using your electronic health insurance card

Under the German health insurance system, permanent residents are legally obligated to enroll in either public or private insurance, given that health insurance is mandatory.

As a member of the public health insurance system, you will be issued the electronic national health insurance card, commonly known as the e-health card. This card must be presented at doctor’s appointments, in emergencies, or for other health insurance services, to confirm your insurance status.

In addition to a photo of the insured individual, the e-health card contains the following information:

  • Name and address
  • Date of birth
  • Details of the insurance provider
  • Insurance number

Ein Patient mit Gesundheitskarte beim Arzt

Two cards in one: e-health and EHIC

Residents covered by statutory health insurance in Germany automatically possess the EHIC card, conveniently printed on the reverse side of the e-health card. This EHIC card includes identical data to that on the front of the card, plus the following information:

  • A logo that the card was issued in Germany
  • The card number
  • A separate date of validity specifically for the EHIC
  • The insured individual’s signature

Subsequently, German residents with public health insurance can utilize this card to access medical treatment or health insurance services abroad, provided the destination is a member country of the EU, the EEA, or the United Kingdom.

Do I get a card for my private insurance?

While private insurance companies are not obligated to provide insurance cards similar to the e-health card in public health insurance, most insurers issue a chip card displaying the insurance status of their members. This card is designed to streamline medical treatments at doctors’ offices or hospitals. However, private insurance cardholders are not entitled to the EHIC and, consequently, it is not printed on the reverse side of their card. This EHIC system is exclusively intended for members of statutory health insurances in Germany.

The electronic health insurance card

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Everybody who has public health insurance in Germany receives such a card: The electronic health insurance card. This card is personalized. It includes your name and your health insurance provider – for example Barmer.

FAQ about the European Health Insurance Card

Your personal ID for emergency medical services in Europe. Your EHIC is located on the back of your Barmer e-health card. It will assist you in most EU countries to receive emergency medical treatment. The EHIC works the same way as the e-health card – show your card to the doctor and the costs are billed directly to Barmer. But some doctors will ask you to pay upfront, and if this happens, you’ll have to settle the costs directly with the doctor and then send Barmer the invoice for reimbursement.

Important: Barmer can only cover costs if the medical services you receive are also included in the public healthcare system of that country. And we only reimburse the amount that the same treatment would cost in Germany. Medical repatriation as well as search and rescue services are not covered by the EHIC. To protect your financial security, it’s important to take out an additional travel health insurance when travelling outside Germany.

It depends on your nationality. EU nationals can use their EHIC within the EU and some other EEA countries (Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). However, in most cases, non-EU nationals cannot use their EHIC in Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Lichtenstein – in this case, an additional travel health insurance is essential when travelling to these countries.

Muster der BARMER Versichertenkarte mit Versichertennummer

It’s easy. When you apply for Barmer membership, a personal contact partner will support you to set up everything you need. There are a few different ways to submit your photo for the e-health card, and we’ll let you know the best option depending on where you are in the world when you apply. You can also call our English Service Hotline, and we’ll send you a special upload code.

After you register your permanent address. Your new electronic health insurance card should arrive a few weeks after Barmer receives confiormation of your permanent address. If you don’t have an address, we can give you a temporary certificate to show the doctor, which works just like the e-health card.
Call our English Service Hotline. Our customer service advisors can send you a temporary certificate to show the doctor or even speak directly with the practice to ensure your treatment. If necessary, we’ll also send you a new e-health card. You can also apply for a new card easily and quickly via the Barmer App.
Yes, very affordable. Additional travel health insurance costs around 20 euro a year, which can provide you with all the additional cover you need in the case of an accident or illness. If you’re a legal resident of Germany, you have the same right to affordable travel insurance as a German citizen.
Contact our partner HUK Coburg Health Insurance. Although there are many companies in Germany that offer affordable and reliable travel health insurance, we recommend our partner HUK Coburg Health Insurance. Barmer members enjoy exclusive rates and conditions for foreign travel health insurance and other additional insurances, too.

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Private or public health insurance in Germany

The costs of health insurance in Germany

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