A hospital stay is never pleasant. But it makes a huge difference if you are in a crowded multi-bed room waiting for the next available junior doctor, or if you enjoy the peace of a private room and are treated personally by a specialist. Our Inpatient Supplementary Insurance for expats turns you into a private patient in any German hospital.
Key Facts at a Glance
| What is covered | Treatment by the chief physician or specialists, a single or double room and free choice of hospital, and depending on the tariff a daily hospital allowance. |
|---|---|
| What is not covered | Ongoing or already planned treatment, benefits during waiting periods and usually rehab and spa treatments. Details |
| Who needs it | For people with public health insurance who want to be treated like private patients in hospital. |
| What does it cost | Recommended tariffs cost young adults around €20 to €30 per month; the premium rises with entry age. (source: Finanztip) Non-binding guide value (as of 2026); your premium depends on your situation. You can calculate your exact premium in the comparison calculator on this page. |
| What to look out for | Take it out early while the health questions are still unproblematic; look for ageing reserves and waived waiting periods. |
The Story of Sabine: Healing with a View
Fictional example for illustration; all persons and events are invented.
Sabine is a 52-year-old professional living in Germany. Last year, she faced a complicated knee surgery. Since she had inpatient supplementary insurance, she could choose her hospital freely.
She chose a specialist clinic known for its orthopedic excellence. While other public patients were in 4-bed rooms, Sabine moved into a quiet single room. "Daniel," she told me later, "the peace was half the battle for my healing. I could sleep when I wanted and had my own retreat."
But the most important thing was the medical treatment. Sabine was operated on by the chief physician personally, an expert who has performed this specific surgery hundreds of times. The insurance covered all additional costs. Sabine was back on her feet in a few days. "Without the insurance, I would have likely waited months for an appointment and been treated by a doctor I had never seen before," was her conclusion.
Privacy & Comfort
Single or double rooms for faster recovery and better rest.
Top Specialists
Entitlement to treatment by chief physicians or the best experts in the field.
Why Public Care is often limited for Expats in Germany
Germany has a good healthcare system, but budgets in hospitals are tight. For public patients, treatment must be "sufficient, appropriate, and economical." This often means:
- Multi-bed Rooms: Noise, unrest, and very little privacy.
- Doctor on Duty: You are treated by whoever is on shift, often a junior doctor in training.
- Limited Choice: GKV usually only pays for the nearest standard hospital.
What Inpatient Insurance provides
In our neutral Remote consultation, we find the tariff that meets your standards. Key components:
- Single/Double Room: Peace and comfort for a better healing process.
- Chief Physician: Treatment by the head of the department or a specialist of your choice.
- Free Hospital Choice: Go to any clinic in Germany with the highest expertise for your condition.
- Replacement Allowance: If you waive the private room, you get a daily cash payout.
Requirements for Expats
- Valid German Address (Anmeldung)
- German Bank Account (IBAN)
- Proof of Income
- Medical History (Detailed health check required)
What Is Not Covered
Inpatient supplementary insurance specifically tops up your public health insurance. These points are typically not covered:
- Ongoing and planned treatment: Anything a doctor had already recommended or planned before the policy started is not covered.
- Waiting periods: Many tariffs only pay after a waiting period, usually 3 months and up to 8 months for childbirth and psychotherapy. It usually does not apply to accidents, and some tariffs waive it entirely.
- Rehab and spa treatments: Follow-up rehabilitation and spa treatments are only included in some tariffs.
- Outpatient treatment: Doctor visits outside the hospital are covered by outpatient supplementary insurance.
- Loss of income: Loss of income during illness is covered by sick pay insurance.
How I Help You When You Need to Claim Benefits
Here you deal with the insurer directly for everyday matters, which is usually the fastest way. As your broker, I am legally on your side, not the insurer's, and I step in as soon as something gets stuck:
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1. Contact the insurer directly
If your insurer gave you a hospital card, show it on admission; the hospital then often bills the insurer directly. You submit invoices sent to you to the insurer yourself. The contact details are in your policy document.
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2. Keep your records
Keep invoices, letters and decisions until the money has arrived. If there are queries or a dispute, they are your proof.
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3. Agree on optional services
When you are admitted to hospital, sign the agreement on optional services (Wahlleistungsvereinbarung) for the chief physician and room. For planned procedures, we obtain a cost approval beforehand.
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4. I help when it gets stuck
If the insurer refuses, cuts benefits or takes too long, contact me. I check the settlement and the policy conditions and follow up with the insurer.
Compare Rates Yourself
Use our comparison tool to calculate premiums and find the best rates for your situation. You can sign up directly online.
Tip: Tick Begleitperson für Kinder (Rooming-in) if you have children in the calculator. Also make sure when comparing tariffs that they include: chief physician treatment, a single or double room, ageing reserves and ideally no waiting periods. I am happy to check the tariffs with you.
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