You are planning a new start in Germany and are bringing the most important thing with you: your family. Whether for your children, your spouse or yourself, one of the first topics that should be on your list of things to sort is health insurance. But don't worry: the German healthcare system and SBK offers you and your family special support that surprises many expats - free family insurance in the statutory health insurance scheme (GKV).
Family insurance is free co-insurance for children and spouses. Children can be insured from birth up to their 25th birthday and spouses from the date of marriage.
The prerequisite for this is that the family member has a monthly income below 535 euros (as of 2025). If this is the case, the contributions of the paying main insured person cover the family member.
For children, this type of insurance is generally limited to the age of 23. If they continue their studies or schooling after their 23rd birthday, family insurance ends at the latest when they reach the age of 25.
What does this mean for you? No additional paperwork for each individual, no high additional costs and yet comprehensive medical cover - exactly the same as the main insured person. Sounds good, doesn't it? Find out more about the contribution-free family insurance from SBK to start protecting your family today.
Free family insurance is one of the major benefits of statutory health insurance in Germany. Under the private health insurance system, each family member needs their own insurance contract, for which the premiums depend on age, state of health and the chosen scope of benefits. The monthly premiums for each individual family member alone are often a heavy financial burden for families with several members.
In addition, a not inconsiderable amount of financial reserves may be necessary. This is due to the fact that, in the private health insurance system, bills from doctors, hospitals and rehabilitation clinics often have to be paid in advance and are only reimbursed by the insurance company afterwards.
With statutory health insurance, you and your family are comprehensively covered - numerous benefits are offered, from which families in particular can benefit. The insurance cover ranges from regular check-ups for children (so-called U-examinations) and adults, to benefits for expectant mothers, and child sickness benefit as financial support if you cannot go to work because your child is ill.
Due to its many additional benefits for families, SBK was named one of the best health insurance companies for families by the magazine Eltern.
You must apply to the health insurance company for co-insurance for your children or spouse. You will need to provide your children's birth certificates, as well as proof of salary and residence documents.
With SBK, your loved ones are not only well insured free of charge, but you also benefit from an English customer advisory service that will be happy to help and advise you - why not visit them directly to find out what's best for your family.