Techniker Krankenkasse

TK health insurance for expats and students

More than 500 positive reviews

First things first

TK (Techniker Krankenkasse) is a German statutory health insurance company. It offers a good service in English and is well known among expats and students.

The benefits do not differ and only insignificantly from the benefits of other major health insurance companies. The insurance premium at TK is average.

Before taking out health insurance, it makes sense to get professional advice from an expert. The German health care system is not simple.

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TK health insurance

Patrick Oliver Ott

Expert for insurance and finance

23. March 2022

insurance for employees

Why is TK health insurance recommended for expats and students in Germany?

There are a few reasons why the Techniker is recommended for expats and students. First, TK health insurance offers contact in English by phone and chat. In addition, the website is available in English, Spanish, Polish, Mandarin Turkish and Arabic. So expats and students from abroad can get information in their native language and use the English TK contact if needed. And the application process is completely in English. That makes it quick and easy to become a member.

Other reasons why Techniker Krankenkasse is popular are the insurance coverage and the price. TK also offers a TK AppointmentService. With this, your health insurance company helps you to find the right doctor for your complaints. It is even possible to find doctors in your native language. Further the TK health insurance has a really good dental coverage.

What does TK insurance cover?

With TK, you enjoy good insurance coverage in Germany. Here are some of the most important benefits:

At the general doctor (GP): If you are sick, you can see any GP. The only important thing is that the doctor has a license for the statutory health insurance. You can also use the TK AppointmentService to help you find the right doctor.
Hospital coverage: If you need an operation or are hospitalized for other reasons, your health insurance will cover the costs. You only have to pay a co-payment of 10 euros per day if you are in hospital for maximum 28 days. If you want to be accommodated in a single or double room, you have to pay the additional costs yourself.
Dental care: The TK health insurance dental coverage is really good. You can have a preventive dental examination twice a year. The dentist will check your dental and oral health. If you need a filling or denture, your insurance will cover the costs as part of the standard care. For dentures, you pay a maximum of 40 percent of the costs yourself - the rest is paid by your insurance.
Screening examinations: Preventive examinations such as check-ups at the dentist and a yearly visit the gynecologist are insured. With advancing age, you are entitled to further preventive examinations such as cancer-screening.
Vaccinations: The vaccinations recommended by the STIKO (Ständige Impfkomission) in Germany, such as tetanus, are paid by Techniker. In addition, Health insurance members are reimbursed on a pro rata basis for the costs of travel vaccinations. Covid-vaccination is also reimbursed by your health insurance.
Medication: If the doctor prescribes you medicine, you will receive a prescription (German: "Rezept"). With it you go to a pharmacy and get the medicine. For this you have to pay a co-payment of at least 5 euros and a maximum of 10 euros. The rest is covered by your health insurance. Some medications are available without a prescription. For them you pay fully yourself.
Glasses: The costs of glasses are reimbursed on a pro-rata basis. A fixed amount per lens is provided.
International coverage: You also have insurance coverage outside of Germany. This applies in the European member states. Within the country, you have the same insurance coverage as citizens living there.
Cover for family members: Your family members are covered free of charge as long as they have no income of their own or only a marginal income. Children are insured until they reach the age of 18 and beyond that until they reach the age of 25 if they are in initial school or vocational education. If you are a student, you can insure yourself free of charge through your parents if they have health insurance in Germany.

How much is the TK health insurance price?

The health insurance contribution rate is made up of the general contribution rate of 14.6 percent and the health insurance fund's individual additional contribution (1.2 percent). In 2022, the price for TK health insurance will therefore be 15.8 percent of gross income.

Are you an employee in Germany? Then your employer pays (almost) half of the contributions.

The regulation on contribution rates does not apply to students, as they have no income of their own. If their parents also live in Germany and are insured with TK, they can take out insurance free of charge until the age of 25.

If you cannot insure yourself through your parents, you must take out your own health insurance. For this purpose, TK offers a health insurance for students, which includes a discount until your 30th birthday.

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Is TK a private or a public insurance?

TK it's not a private, but a public health insurance company. It is therefore one of the statutory health insurers in Germany, whose benefits and contribution rates are regulated by the state. An important difference is that anyone who is compulsorily insured in Germany can take out health insurance with Techniker. The insurer is not allowed to refuse anyone.

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Where can I find more information?

On the TK English website you can find a lot of informations about insurance coverage, contribution rate and membership. Our experts are also available to answer any further questions you may have.