Should you fall ill while in Germany, your employer will usually pay six weeks’ full salary; after that, the government scheme health insurer (Krankenkasse) pays a percentage of your income, up to approximately 2,295 euros per month as statutory sick pay (Krankengeld) for up to 78 weeks. If you earn more than this, it would be worth considering the purchase of supplemental sick pay insurance, which is available at reasonable rates. This is particularly important if your fixed living costs are higher than the 2,295 euros. If you purchase private medical insurance, you should also consider purchasing adequate sick pay insurance. Please note that neither sick pay insurance nor the government scheme covers permanent disability.

The public health insurance system provides limited coverage for travel within the EU. If you need medical care while traveling to another EU country and are covered by the state-regulated insurance plan, you will be required to pay the medical costs yourself and then to fill out the necessary EU forms to be reimbursed by your German insurance provider. But you will only be reimbursed for the amount that the German system would have paid for the treatment - sometimes only a fraction of the actual costs. If you wish to be covered for medical expenses within the EU, or if you plan to travel to non-EU countries, you should purchase a travel insurance policy before your departure. Be aware, however, that not all travel insurance policies cover medical evacuations, so always check the fine print before signing.If you are privately insured, you will need to check with your health insurance provider to find out what kind of coverage you have when traveling outside of Germany.

By Cathy J. Matz-Townsend, an independent advisor on international insurance and investments. For more information, consult her website at www.insure-invest.de.

(Foto: AOK-Mediendienst)