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Germany is a country that values security and stability. That’s why there are many types of insurance available to cover almost every risk you can think of. However, not all insurances are mandatory or necessary for expats living in Germany. In this article, we will give you an overview of the most important insurances in Germany for expats, and help you decide which ones you need and which ones you can skip. If you are planning to move to Germany, or if you already live there as an expat, you might be wondering what kind of insurance you need. Insurance is a very important topic in Germany, as there are many risks and liabilities that you might face in your everyday life. In our experience living in Germany from 2015, we've came across 8 essential insurances that expats in Germany must consider, from health insurance to personal liability insurance. We will also explain which ones are compulsory and which ones are optional, and how to find the best deals for your situation. Health Insurance Health insurance (Krankenversicherung) is the most essential and compulsory insurance in Germany. You need to have health insurance to get a visa, a residence permit, or a job in Germany. There are two types of health insurance in Germany: public (gesetzliche) and private (private). Public health insurance covers most of the medical expenses and treatments in Germany, and it is funded by social security contributions from employers and employees. You are eligible for public health insurance if you work in Germany and earn less than €66,600 per year (as of 2023). You can choose from over 100 public health insurance providers, such as Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), AOK, or Barmer. Private health insurance offers more flexibility and options for medical services and doctors, but it is also more expensive and selective. You can opt for private health insurance if you earn more than €66,600 per year, or if you are self-employed, a freelancer, a student over 30 years old, or a civil servant. You can compare and choose from various private health insurance companies, such as Ottonova, Allianz, or AXA. If you are not sure which type of health insurance is best for you, you can consult an independent broker like MW Expat Solutions or use an online comparison tool like Tarifcheck to find the best deal. Personal Liability Insurance Personal liability insurance (Private Haftpflichtversicherung) is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended for expats living in Germany. This is because in Germany, you are legally liable for any damage or injury you cause to another person or their property, whether intentionally or accidentally. This can result in huge financial claims that can ruin your life. Personal liability insurance protects you from these claims by covering the legal and compensation costs up to a certain limit (usually between €5 million and €50 million). It also covers your family members, your pets, and your rented apartment. Personal liability insurance is very affordable, starting from €3 per month. You can find many English-speaking and digital providers online, such as Getsafe, or Feather. Car Insurance Car insurance (KFZ-Versicherung) is mandatory if you own or drive a car in Germany. There are three types of car insurance in Germany: third-party liability (Haftpflicht), partial coverage (Teilkasko), and comprehensive coverage (Vollkasko). Third-party liability insurance covers the damage or injury you cause to other people or their property with your car. It is the minimum legal requirement for car owners in Germany. The cost of third-party liability insurance depends on various factors, such as your car model, your age, your driving experience, and your location. Partial coverage insurance covers the damage to your own car caused by natural disasters, theft, fire, vandalism, or collision with animals. It does not cover the damage caused by collision with other vehicles or objects. Partial coverage insurance is optional, but it is advisable if your car is relatively new or valuable. Comprehensive coverage insurance covers all the damage to your own car, regardless of the cause. It also includes partial coverage and third-party liability insurance. Comprehensive coverage insurance is optional, but it is recommended if your car is very new or expensive. You can compare and choose from different car insurance providers online, such as Check24, Verivox, or Tarifcheck. Other Optional Insurances in Germany There are many other types of insurances in Germany that are optional for expats, but they might be useful depending on your situation and preferences. Here are some of them: Dental Insurance (Zahnzusatzversicherung) Dental insurance in Germany covers the costs of dental treatments that are not fully covered by the public health insurance. In Germany, dental insurance can be useful for expats who want to have access to high-quality dental care and cosmetic dentistry. For example, if you need braces, implants, crowns, or veneers, dental insurance can help you pay for them. Dental insurance is not compulsory in Germany, but it is beneficial for expats who care about their oral health and appearance. Legal Insurance (Rechtschutzversicherung) Legal insurance covers the costs of legal disputes, such as lawyer fees, court fees, and compensation claims. Legal insurance can be useful for expats who face legal issues related to their work, housing, family, or traffic in Germany. For example, if you have a conflict with your landlord or employer, or if you are involved in a car accident, legal insurance can help you defend your rights and interests. Legal insurance is not compulsory in Germany, but it is highly recommended for expats who want to avoid high legal expenses and stress. Bicycle Insurance (Fahrradversicherung) Bicycle insurance in Germany covers the damage or theft of your bicycle. Bicycle insurance can be useful for expats who use their bikes as a main mode of transportation or as a hobby. For example, if your bike is stolen or damaged by vandalism or an accident in Germany, bicycle insurance can help you repair or replace it. Bicycle insurance is not compulsory in Germany, but it is advisable for expats who own expensive or custom-made bikes. Income Protection Insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung) Income protection insurance covers the loss of income due to illness or disability that prevents you from working. In Germany, income protection insurance can be useful for expats who depend only on their salary to maintain their lifestyle and obligations. For example, if you suffer from a chronic disease, a mental disorder, or a physical impairment that makes you unable to work, income protection insurance can help you replace your lost income until you recover or retire. Income protection insurance is not compulsory in Germany, but it is essential for expats who want to protect their livelihood and their family’s stability. Term Life Insurance (Risiko-Lebensversicherung) Term life insurance pays out a sum of money to your beneficiaries in case of your death within a specified period of time. In Germany, term life insurance can be useful for expats who have dependents or debts that they want to take care of after they pass away. For example, if you have children, a spouse, or a mortgage that you want to support or pay off in case of your death, term life insurance can help you provide them with financial security and peace of mind. Term life insurance is not compulsory in Germany, but it is recommended for expats who want to leave behind a legacy and a safety net for their loved ones. Conclusion Insurance in Germany can be confusing and overwhelming for expats, but it is also important and beneficial. By knowing the types of insurances in Germany and choosing the ones that suit your needs and budget, you can protect yourself and your future in Germany.

With the fictional certificate, the immigration authorities are able to prove that the applicant has a provisional right to reside in the federal territory. This is frequently required for the issuance or extension of a residence permit. In order for a foreigner to reside legally in the federal territory, a legal regulation is necessary for the period between the application for a residence permit and the decision of the foreigners authority.The foreigner, therefore, is given a Fiction certificate for the processing period, which proves that he is legally and not punishable for remaining on federal territory. The following cases are essentially regulated in the provisions of the law on foreign nationals: 1. Residence with a residence title (Fortgeltungsfiktion) If the foreigner has a residence title and applies for an extension or another residence title in good time before it expires, the previous residence title is considered to continue to exist until the foreigners authority has made a decision This circumstance has the consequence that all effects linked to the residence permit continue to apply, including the permit to work and travel across Schengen and non Schengen countries. In concrete terms, this means that the foreigner is treated as if he had a residence permit, with all the legal consequences. In addition, Fortgeltungsfiktion entitles you to (re-)enter Germany (also without a visa). 2. Late application (Duldungsfiktion) Foreigners who submit their applications late are considered to have suspended deportation from the time they apply. As a result, foreigners are treated as if they had a toleration certificate. The person cannot be deported until an official decision is made on the application, even if he does not have a residence permit. 3. First-time application for a residence title (Erlaubnisfiktion) The stay of a foreigner who is legally resident in Germany and applies for a residence title without having one is considered permitted until the application is decided. The so-called positive states, who were able to enter the federal territory without a visa, are regularly affected by this regulation. For foreigners applying for their first residence permit, gainful employment is prohibited until the application is decided. The fictional permit does not entitle you to (re-)enter Germany. 4.Electronic residence permit (eAT) and employment Upon issuance of the eAT for training or employment, this residency title includes training and employment to the extent permitted by the foreigner's residence authority. The fictional certificate will include this permission. In addition, this regulation also applies in the event of a change of employer, continued employment after a previously fixed-term employment relationship or even first-time employment. The fictional certificate is issued on a standard form. Special case: Recognized persons entitled to protection Due to the special legal situation, the fictional effect for the group of persons recognized as entitled to protection (persons entitled to asylum, recognized refugees and persons entitled to subsidiary protection) does not only arise when they apply for a residence permit, which is why the provision on the fictional certificate is not directly applicable. A fictional certificate will be issued to those affected to demonstrate the lawfulness of their stay, retaining their previous residence permit. With the help of the fictional certificate, the residence permit and the proof of application from the immigration authorities, people who are affected can open a basic current account or apply for social benefits among other possibilities. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi

If you are an Indian citizen and your baby is just born in Germany, here are the things you need to do as soon as the baby has arrived. A newborn always brings joy to the family. The first hours and days are always exciting and overwhelming to the parents. To avoid confusion and organize your post delivery life easier, check out our checklist once you are settled. Citizenship Expatriates often wonder whether their newborn born in Germany receives German citizenship or Indian citizenship. A child born in Germany after 1 January 2000 may acquire German citizenship even if neither parent is German. However, one parent must have lived legally in Germany for eight years and have an unlimited residence right or an unlimited residence permit for three years. Between the ages of 18 and 23, children who become German citizens in this way must decide whether to retain German citizenship or their parents' citizenship. Your child will automatically become an Indian citizen if you do not fall under any of the categories pointed out above. However, the child will officially become an Indian citizen only after you register him / her in the Indian consulate. Read FAQs on the website of The Federal Foreign Office for more info. How do I get my child's Indian citizenship? Get the German birth certificate first Within seven days of delivery, you are required to register your baby's birth at the local registry office (Standesamt) where the baby is born. Nowadays, you can do this online through the hospital. It is also possible for the mother to register the birth of the child herself. As an alternative, you can also have the father, the midwife, a relative, or a close friend register the birth on behalf of the parents with an authorization letter. Documents required to register the birth at Standesamt A copy of both the parents’ birth certificate (A translated version if not in English). Marriage certificate (A translated version if not in English). Copy of the passport of both the parents Application form (you will get the application form either when you register at the hospital for the delivery or when you arrive at the hospital at the time of the delivery) After submitting your application online, you can apply for a birth certificate on your city's citizen portal (muenchen.de for people in Munich or berlin.de for berliners). It may take a week or two to send it to you by post. Usually, multiple copies of the birth certificate (Geburtsurkunde) will be sent to you. You may use them to apply for the child benefit (kindergeld), health insurance, parental allowance (elterngeld), etc. You’ll also have the possibility to request for additional copies and international versions of birth certificates which you may use to apply for the passport and other purposes. If the online submission is not possible in your city, you or the representative you authorize will be able to do the same at the local citizen's office. How to register my child as an Indian citizen in Germany? Registering your child as an Indian citizen in Germany is a four step procedure. An online application form has to be filled on the web portal of Government of India You also need to upload the below documents to complete step Photograph of the child (Indian passport size (35x35 mm / 2 x 2 inch), white background, JPG format, the size should not exceed 20 KB) Signatures of the both the parents (JPG format less than 20 KB in size) Birth Certificate of the child issued by local German Authority (PDF format, less than 1 MB) Copies of passport of both parents (first and last page of the passport) [ PDF format, less than 1 MB] Print out of the form that was submitted online to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Before submitting it, make sure both parents have signed it. You may submit the form in person at the Office of the Consulate General of India in the city you live or send it to the consulate along with the supporting documents as per the checklist mentioned below. If there’s no Indian consulate in the city you live in, you can go to the Indian consulate in a nearby town. Alternatively, you can also post the application to the Indian consulate nearest to you. An application Fee must be paid at the counter if you are visiting the consulate in person. If you send the application by post, you can make a bank transfer. However, the payment may be made in advance (as it may take 2 to 3 working days to get reflected in their bank account). Ensure that the supporting documents include proof of payment. Otherwise, the application will be sent back to you without processing. Documents required to register my child as an Indian citizen in Germany Print-out of the form filled online Copy of Birth Certificate issued by the local German Authority Copies of passports of both parents Copy of Address proof (Meldebescheinigung/ Personalausweis) Self-addressed envelope with stamp of Euro 4.05 (if applicants requests for dispatch of Birth Certificate by Post) Please refer to the respective Indian consulate’s website for the information about the fees and bank account details. Please note that: The child is eligible for registration as Indian Citizenship by “Descent” only if any of the parents of the child (or both the parents of the child) hold Indian nationality at the time of the birth of the child. The Indian Consulate reserves the right to contact you for any additional documents, if necessary. The applicant may be called for a personal-interview or the verification of original documents if necessary. Please also note that the application for Indian citizenship must be made within one year of the child's birth on the prescribed form How to get Indian Passport for my child born in Germany Upon receiving Indian citizenship, you can apply for your child's Indian passport. Checklist of Documents and procedure to apply for Indian passport: Go to ‘Passport Seva at Indian Embassies and Consulates’, website, select Germany from the list of countries, and fill out the application form on behalf of your child. Print-out of the field passport application form. Instead of signature, take a thumb impression of your child in the signature box on the first and last pages of the application form (Note that the left thumb impression if the child is a boy and right thumb impression in case of girl) Copy of birth certificate issued by the local German authority Copy of the Indian birth certificate 2 photographs of the child (one pasted on the designated place in the application form and other stapled on the last page of application form) Self-attested copies of parents' passports and residence permits / visas Copy of Meldebescheinigung (Proof of residency/address) A Consent Letter from parents (please refer to your respective consulates website for the form) Annexure G – applicable if either one of the parent has not given consent (please refer to your respective consulates website for the form) As mentioned above, you may submit the form in person at the Office of the Consulate General of India in the city you live or send it to the consulate along with the supporting documents as per the checklist mentioned below. If there’s no Indian consulate in the city you live in, you can go to the Indian consulate in a nearby town. Alternatively, you can also post the application to the Indian consulate nearest to you along with the supporting documents. A processing fee must be paid at the consulate if submitting the form in person or transfer the corresponding amount to the consulate’s bank account if you are sending the application via post. You may check the consulate’s website for the fee info. For sending the new passport by Post, please also send a medium sized self addressed and stamped (EUR 4.05) envelope along with your application Please note that the child’s presence may not be necessary at the consulate. Processing Time Depending on the rush at the consulate, it may take around 6-8 weeks for issuing the new passport. You can also apply for both Indian citizenship as well as Indian passport in one go. However, make sure you include both applications as well as separate copies of supporting documents in the envelope. The Indian consulate will send back the applications if separate copies of supporting documents are not included in the envelope when you send them. In our experience, applications sent to the Indian consulate by post are considered as prioritized as in person applications. Therefore, we recommend sending all your applications by post to avoid any unnecessary waiting time at the consulate. Apply for the residence permit for the child in Germany When you receive your child's passport, the rest of the process is the same for anyone residing in Germany. Requirements If both parents (in the case of shared parental responsibility) or the parent with the sole parental responsibility are in possession of a valid residence title when the child is born Your baby was born in Germany and is registered as living in a household with the custodial parents The residence permit for the child can be obtained from any local citizens office (Bürgeramt) in Germany if you meet one of the above criteria. While the condition is the same in most cities, some Bürgeramts will require you to meet additional criteria as well. Therefore, before your appointment, you should check with your local citizen's office. The Bürgeramt may refer you to the local foreigner's office (Ausländerbehörde) if your family's situation differs, such as if one parent is a European citizen. You can get a free consultation at your local foreigners office if you're not sure where to begin. The section 33 of the residence act (Aufenthaltsgesetz - AufenthG) defines every scenario for residence permit in Germany. On your way to Germany You can find all the information you need about living and working in Germany at www.expatova.com. If you enjoyed the content and feel like you learned something from it, consider supporting us by buying us a Ko - fi