Germans have sometimes been accused of being world-class hypochondriacs. Actually, they are tempted to be such because they enjoy one of the world's best health care systems. As soon as you get yourself established here, you will also be able to avail yourself of this system.

Germany has one of the best health care systems in the world, providing residents with comprehensive health insurance coverage. Approximately 85 percent of the population is a mandatory member of the public health insurance system, while the rest has private health insurance. As of 2009, health insurance is mandatory for all residents so you will not be able to get a residency permit without proof of adequate insurance.

As in the rest of the world, the costs of the health care system in Germany are immense and rising. Severe demographic problems such as a low birth rate, high unemployment as well as the staggering increase in health care costs worldwide spell trouble for the system's future sustainability.

In recent years, lawmakers have responded by subjecting Germany's world-renowned health care system to a series of reforms, which have been translated into higher costs and reduced benefits for patients in the public health insurance system. The latest wave of reforms in 2009 is supposed to increase competition among the country's 200 state-regulated insurance providers and 50 private insurance companies, but most people are skeptical. What follows might seem quite complicated, but you should take the time to analyze your situation and make the right decision about choosing one of the three health insurance options available while living in Germany:

· State-regulated public health insurance system (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung or GKV)
· Private health insurance from a German company (Private Krankenversicherung or PKV)
· Private health insurance from an international provider (see below for an important caveat)

More articles on health care in this section:

• Government Health System
• Private Medical Insurance


• Sick Pay & Travel insurance
• Doctors & Physicians
• Dentists in Germany
• Emergency Numbers
• Pharmacies
• Hospitals
• Having a Baby