To study in Rome, professionally in London and for retirement in southern Spain – thousands of Germans are regularly drawn abroad for longer or even forever. Around 135,000 students completed the 2012/13 academic year at a foreign university. Between 2009 and 2013 alone, 710,000 Germans turned their backs on their homeland to live in another country. And hundreds of thousands of German retirees have now moved their retirement residence to Spain.
EU makes relocation easier
With freedom of establishment and freedom to provide services in the European Union (EU), moving to another European country has become uncomplicated. Germans can live and work in any EU state. Retirees also receive pension payments abroad. And in the event of illness, the social security systems coordinated in Europe make it easier to receive treatment abroad.
“As far as health insurance is concerned, however, there are a few things to keep in mind when moving to another EU state,” says Anne Bartelt, a social insurance expert at Techniker Krankenkasse (TK).
Study abroad
Those who want to study abroad have two options: a guest semester for a limited period of time, or studying entirely at a foreign university. Related to the question of the type of study abroad is also the question of whether the previous health insurance coverage will continue to suffice.
For Germans who study at a European university through an exchange program and continue to be enrolled at their home university, there is no change in their insurance coverage. In the event of illness, they can use the EHIC, the European Health Insurance Card, to receive medical treatment in all EU countries and also in Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Students who are enrolled exclusively at a foreign university should check with their health insurance provider before leaving to see if insurance coverage is available abroad.
Working abroad
In the 1950s, Italians and Turks came to Germany as guest workers; today it is often the other way around: hoping for better opportunities on the job market or higher wages, many Germans seek their professional fortune abroad. Among job emigrants, there are three types: those who move both their residence and place of work abroad permanently, those who move to another country for work-related reasons only for a limited time, and those who work abroad but live in Germany. Whether health insurance coverage remains in place in Germany depends primarily on how long the professional assignment abroad lasts.
Those who are sent abroad for a limited period of time or for a project generally retain their insurance coverage. The same applies to family members who are insured. On the other hand, anyone who takes up a job with an employer abroad is generally covered by health insurance there – regardless of whether they also live in that country.
For example, someone who commutes between their workplace in Belgium and their place of residence in Germany is therefore treated in the same way as someone who lives and works entirely in Belgium. The following applies to him: he must take out health insurance in Belgium.
Pensioner abroad
To spend their retirement in the sun and by the sea – this dream is fulfilled every year by thousands of German pensioners, for example by emigrating preferably to Spain. If you move within the EU as a compulsorily insured pensioner, receive a German pension and have no further income in your new home country, you will continue to be covered by health insurance in Germany. Such a move also does not change the contributions.
However, the extent to which medical treatment, aids and medicines are covered by the health insurance system abroad depends on the law in the new country of residence.
Conclusion
“Whether student, professional or pensioner – for everyone who wants to move his place of residence abroad, it is advisable to seek advice from his health insurance company in good time. This is the only way to avoid any nasty surprises in the event of illness abroad,” says Anne Bartelt.
