John Gunn
@john g.
English expat in Germany
Forum posts
62
Contacts
5
About me
English
Lives in Hamburg
Speaks English,French,German,Spanish,Portuguese,holiday Greek
Registration: 15 January 2010
Being pregnant and applying for German health insurance by john g.
This is a surprising and welcome development. If you are pregnant and qualify for German public health insurance/gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, you have never had a problem with the maternity costs - it麓s covered. A major problem has always been ...
Good day, Ozdorf! Public insurance covers you, your wife and child-to-be and is the best option for you if your wife is not going to be working Yes, Signal and HanseMerkur would cover her subject to a medical check up AND if she possesses a minimum ... Read More
Being pregnant and applying for German health insurance by john g.
This is a surprising and welcome development. If you are pregnant and qualify for German public health insurance/gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, you have never had a problem with the maternity costs - it麓s covered. A major problem has always been ...
Hi Beppi! Why would someone try to get the private Basistarif if they are an employee? Normal public insurance would be the normal thing to do with the employer chipping in. Read More
Being pregnant and applying for German health insurance by john g.
This is a surprising and welcome development. If you are pregnant and qualify for German public health insurance/gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, you have never had a problem with the maternity costs - it麓s covered. A major problem has always been ...
I know two private German insurers- there may be more- who accept pregnant women without any waiting time as long as they have a general medical check up first and have no serious side effects and, if non-EU citizens, have a minimum 24 month ... Read More
Being pregnant and applying for German health insurance by john g.
This is a surprising and welcome development. If you are pregnant and qualify for German public health insurance/gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, you have never had a problem with the maternity costs - it麓s covered. A major problem has always been ...
I did not know of the existence of such a profession. Could you tell us any contact details? (In case you don't want to post it here in public, you may send Sreekala a PM - and me too, please, for future ... Read More
Being pregnant and applying for German health insurance by john g.
This is a surprising and welcome development. If you are pregnant and qualify for German public health insurance/gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, you have never had a problem with the maternity costs - it麓s covered. A major problem has always been ...
https://www.cecu.de/basistarif-private-krankenversicherung.html Check the real price of the Basistarif!!! PER PERSON! Even to get into is really tough, especially for a foreigner...virtually impossible..you would need the help of a ... Read More
private health insurance in Germany by abcdefghil
Hi, suggestion for private health insurance in Germany, Berlin? a good friend needs some connections Thanks
A way to avoid that in the private system is to sign up for an Anwartschaft (both for price and future health problems in the private system ). Public insurance prices also go up yearly - based on the Beitragsbemessungsgrenze. I麓m actually a ... Read More
private health insurance in Germany by abcdefghil
Hi, suggestion for private health insurance in Germany, Berlin? a good friend needs some connections Thanks
Yes but at the time of applying when they were assessing the risk!!! NOT years later - unless you had provided incorrect health information at the time of applying- so that's a different issue! Read More
private health insurance in Germany by abcdefghil
Hi, suggestion for private health insurance in Germany, Berlin? a good friend needs some connections Thanks
Hello ahoi! Private German insurances don't up their prices based on an individual client's age or illnesses- that is illegal. Price rises in the German system are based on general medical inflation, political decisions and on the general ... Read More
Being pregnant and applying for German health insurance by john g.
This is a surprising and welcome development. If you are pregnant and qualify for German public health insurance/gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, you have never had a problem with the maternity costs - it麓s covered. A major problem has always been ...
I am afraid there is no chance of any insurance acting retrospectively re your pregnancy馃槥 And again , I am afraid you will not be able to get even expensive German insurance given your visa doesn't have long to run.... Fellowship ... Read More
Being pregnant and applying for German health insurance by john g.
This is a surprising and welcome development. If you are pregnant and qualify for German public health insurance/gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, you have never had a problem with the maternity costs - it麓s covered. A major problem has always been ...
Funnily enough, I can actually see these last posts! The lady is privately insured so cannot switch to public insurance. There are no international insurances which cover an existing pregnancy if not already a client and non-pregnant clients are ... Read More
Healthcare in Germany by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Germany ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Germany? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
You didn麓t have to switch to private because you became self-employed, dhitchman , You could have stayed as a voluntary member of public insurance but I assume private worked out cheaper than public without the employer contribution OR you ... Read More
Healthcare in Germany by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Germany ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Germany? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
Good for you, missbeesy! You were lucky. Most public insurers will not have insured you unless you have just come from a public system in a European country. This is only theoretically possible with a public insurance company which is looking for ... Read More
Healthcare in Germany by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Germany ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Germany? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
I get quite a lot of emails/phone calls from non-European but also European artists artists asking about visas and health insurance so I thought I麓d post here on what this means for them. Basically, the German State introduced the Artists ... Read More
Healthcare in Germany by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Germany ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Germany? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
Right then, Julie! I麓ve gathered together some information which I hope will be of use to readers on your forum: key health insurance data for Germany in 2015. I麓ll start with employees: an employee earning under 54,900 euros a year MUST ... Read More
Healthcare in Germany by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Germany ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Germany? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
Hello Julie! I haven麓t been here for a while but am able and happy to provide any information you and visitors to the site would like to know. I麓ll give it some thought and reply later today. Best wishes John Read More
Being pregnant and applying for German health insurance by john g.
This is a surprising and welcome development. If you are pregnant and qualify for German public health insurance/gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, you have never had a problem with the maternity costs - it麓s covered. A major problem has always been ...
Just seen this. Nobody knows your situation, juliabone. Why are you here? Why aren麓t you insured? Have you got a European Health Card from Rumania? Why wait so long for help? If you have a European Health Card from your home country, visit a public ... Read More
Being pregnant and applying for German health insurance by john g.
This is a surprising and welcome development. If you are pregnant and qualify for German public health insurance/gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, you have never had a problem with the maternity costs - it麓s covered. A major problem has always been ...
Hello Maryloh! Beppi is correct - you must be health insured if you come to live here. What is not clear is WHY you are coming here. As Beppi points out, it麓s no problem if you麓re going to be an employee - it麓s public insurance without rejections ... Read More
80% of Germans have it and maybe you should, too! by john g.
Now, I don麓t know if this has been covered on this forum before and I麓m not sure if this is the right place to park it but... I麓ve been in Germany for over 20 years and had never heard of " private Haftpflichtversicherung " (personal liability ...
My profession is in my profile, beppi. I麓m an independent insurance BROKER.Definitely NOT an agent. Do you know the legal difference? It means: "best advice" and that is what the licence is for. I麓m NOT touting for business here as I have no need ... Read More
80% of Germans have it and maybe you should, too! by john g.
Now, I don麓t know if this has been covered on this forum before and I麓m not sure if this is the right place to park it but... I麓ve been in Germany for over 20 years and had never heard of " private Haftpflichtversicherung " (personal liability ...
That is very dangerous advice, beppi, and I麓m surprised to read your opinion. Ask any Verbraucherzentrale here ( Consumer Protection Bureau) about its importance. You麓ll also find these days that most landlords here require the potential tenant to ... Read More
Health Insurance HELP by jesschev
Does anyone have any advice, on getting health insurance within Germany for an Australian with an EU passport/citizenship. Im freelance designing so dont have a permit income and some business' wont cover me because i dont have a job as such. And ...
beppi: http://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_5/__9.html (1)1 The attached is from SGB5 搂 Freiwillige Versicherung and refers to voluntary memberhip of German public health insurance. Voluntary membership in the poster麓s case is what she needs as a ... Read More
Health Insurance HELP by jesschev
Does anyone have any advice, on getting health insurance within Germany for an Australian with an EU passport/citizenship. Im freelance designing so dont have a permit income and some business' wont cover me because i dont have a job as such. And ...
This is not a German health insurance forum - I agree. But this thread started because of a question about health insurance from a lady. She merits correct answers in English as per the language on this forum...as do others asking questions on ... Read More
Health Insurance HELP by jesschev
Does anyone have any advice, on getting health insurance within Germany for an Australian with an EU passport/citizenship. Im freelance designing so dont have a permit income and some business' wont cover me because i dont have a job as such. And ...
You麓ve answered your own issue, beppi! You became an employee and therefore pflichtversichert ( compulsorily insured !). Nothing more, nothing less - you were not an Australian freelancer with an EU passport who had never been in the EU public ... Read More
Health Insurance HELP by jesschev
Does anyone have any advice, on getting health insurance within Germany for an Australian with an EU passport/citizenship. Im freelance designing so dont have a permit income and some business' wont cover me because i dont have a job as such. And ...
Dear beppi! I am not trying to ruffle your feathers! Or annoy you! I am someone who has seen enough false information re health insurance here over the years - and I麓ve been here over 22 years! I agree 100% it is ridiculously complicated here and ... Read More
Being pregnant and applying for German health insurance by john g.
This is a surprising and welcome development. If you are pregnant and qualify for German public health insurance/gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, you have never had a problem with the maternity costs - it麓s covered. A major problem has always been ...
Hello Hadi! Private German insurance is at the moment mostly only available for EU citizens with no visa/residence restrictions either as self-employed/freeelance or for employees earning over 52,200 euros a year. It depends what you would be doing ... Read More
80% of Germans have it and maybe you should, too!
Now, I don麓t know if this has been covered on this forum before and I麓m not sure if this is the right place to park it but... I麓ve been in Germany for over 20 years and had never heard of " private Haftpflichtversicherung " (personal liability ... Read More
Being pregnant and applying for German health insurance
This is a surprising and welcome development. If you are pregnant and qualify for German public health insurance/gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, you have never had a problem with the maternity costs - it麓s covered. A major problem has always been ... Read More
Health Insurance HELP by jesschev
Does anyone have any advice, on getting health insurance within Germany for an Australian with an EU passport/citizenship. Im freelance designing so dont have a permit income and some business' wont cover me because i dont have a job as such. And ...
Totally wrong, I麓m afraid. Insurance for freelancers does NOT have to be German. It has to be registered with BaFin under the so-called European Passport rules. This is a reply to two of Beppi麓s posts: my first comment in the previous post and the ... Read More
Health Insurance HELP by jesschev
Does anyone have any advice, on getting health insurance within Germany for an Australian with an EU passport/citizenship. Im freelance designing so dont have a permit income and some business' wont cover me because i dont have a job as such. And ...
Jesschev has lived in Australia and has an EU passport. This does NOT entitle her to public insurance in Germany - the rules are clear: if she had lived the past 12 months in an EU country with public insurance (eg NHS or in Spain, Denmark etc), she ... Read More
Public or Private insurance??
Hello Sarah! If you are in the public health system in Denmark, you can apply to join public insurance in Germany as a voluntary member ( if you麓re self-employed work earns you more money and you spend more time as a freelancer than as an ... Read More
Healthcare in Germany by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Germany ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Germany? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
Well, Gary..it wasn麓t a wonderful piece of news from me..just the reality. I cannot speak for Italy but you may find they have health insurance regulations, too, for Americans. European countries as a whole are getting stricter on visa requirements ... Read More
Healthcare in Germany by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Germany ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Germany? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
Hello Gary! Are you both American citizens with no German passports? You have, otherwise, zero chance of either public or private health insurance in the German system. The only possibility is a legal international health insurance ( no American ... Read More
Health insurance for artists by john g.
Germany -and especially Berlin - is really becoming a mecca for expat artists of all kinds. The booming scene and what is seen as a city with a relatively low cost of living make it attractive! These artists still have to get health insured, though! ...
yes, the law demands backpayments! No prison -don麓t worry!But they CAN throw you of the country. The other issue now: if you come to Germany and don麓t get publicly insured within 3 months, they will no longer accept applications anyway. So you need ... Read More
Health insurance for artists by john g.
Germany -and especially Berlin - is really becoming a mecca for expat artists of all kinds. The booming scene and what is seen as a city with a relatively low cost of living make it attractive! These artists still have to get health insured, though! ...
Hello Maarja! it is difficult to get into the artists麓insurance - proof of income, proof of your status etc. Even if they take you, it麓ll take months - maybe 6-8. The problem is: you would then get into public insurance and they would say " whoops, ... Read More
Health insurance for artists
Germany -and especially Berlin - is really becoming a mecca for expat artists of all kinds. The booming scene and what is seen as a city with a relatively low cost of living make it attractive! These artists still have to get health insured, though! ... Read More
Healthcare in Germany by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Germany ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Germany? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
Well, beppi, I agree entirely with you that there are exceptions - it is madness here with conflicting rules and interpretations!!! Re foreigners: when you say they can麓t reject you, you are referring to the Basis tariff for the sick and virtually ... Read More
Healthcare in Germany by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Germany ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Germany? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
FAQ German Health Insurance Newcomers to Germany usually find it difficult to understand how and where to get health insured. It is a very complex issue and everyone needs an individual solution. Who can or must join a public聯Kasse聯 or a private ... Read More
Healthcare in Germany by Julien
Hi, how does the healthcare system work in Germany ? Is it efficient ? What are the main differences between public and private sectors? Is it recommended to purchase private health insurance in Germany? Thanks in advance for sharing ...
I麓d like to add a point here: non-EU freelancers/self-employed coming to Germany and who haven麓t been a member of an EU public health system for the past 12 months or for two of the past five years CANNOT get into German public health insurance ( ... Read More
German formalities
You will also, if you come to Germany , need to sort out your health insurance status. Is your husband in the German public system? If so, and if you don麓t work or at least don麓t earn more than 375 euros a month , you can get co-insured on his at no ... Read More
Formalities to bring your pet in Germany by Julien
Hi all, What are the formalities and paperwork required to bring your pet in Germany? How long do formalities & paperwork usually take in Germany? What are the relevant authorities to contact? Which vaccines are compulsory? Do your pets ...
Well, Julien , I only know about dogs because my girlfriend and I " imported " a street dog from Greece a few years ago . He needed: an identity microchip, an EU Animal Passport , and a rabies jab. Certain types of dogs may not be imported at all, ... Read More
living abroad
Well, good luck with the move to Berlin for your retirement! I don麓t know your age and I麓m presuming you麓re American! Please be warned: You may ( or may not ) have Medicare or whatever from the States as a retiree. This is NOT enough for the German ... Read More
Who knows how much health insurance my husband and i will pay? by sarahjackson
hello, i am a British citizen. I would like to move to Germany but scared at the thought of paying very expensive health insurance. We will be self-employed if we live in GErmany. Who knows how much health insurance my husband and i will pay? thank ...
Hello Sarah! If you麓re both self-employed and coming to Germany, there are a number of issues to bear in mind! There are two systems here ( remember, however , there is no equivalent of the NHS ): public insurance companies ( Kassen ) and private ... Read More
Berlin - Germany - working self-employed by kd1972
Hi all, I'm currently self-employed and am soon moving to Germany (Berlin)from another country in the EU. I want to register as self-employed on arrival (I'm a Translator / Copy Writer). Can anyone provide any advice on the process in Germany, ...
Best wishes with that and just ask if you need any advice! Cheers John Read More
Help for TEFL teacher moving to Berlin by SamAllen
Dear Berliners, I am planning on moving to Berlin to teach English and I wondered if you could help me with some of the questions I am having difficulty finding the answers for. Any help you can give me would be gratefully received :) 1. I hear ...
Hello Sam! Unfortunately, you麓ll find Berlin has become a very popular place to live in and has attracted millions and millions of English teachers. Many are earning 8-10 euros an hour. However, don麓t let me put you off the idea! You might find ... Read More
Berlin - Germany - working self-employed by kd1972
Hi all, I'm currently self-employed and am soon moving to Germany (Berlin)from another country in the EU. I want to register as self-employed on arrival (I'm a Translator / Copy Writer). Can anyone provide any advice on the process in Germany, ...
Hello Kevin! Coming from another EU country is not a problem. You need to register your address in the town you end up in. Go to a B眉rgeramt, take proof of your address. I don麓t think translators have to register their profession elsewhere ( but not ... Read More
health insurance advice--what an enigma by twinters
Hello all! I moved to Hamburg 2 months ago from the U.S. and got my CELTA certificate. I got a job, but now I need to get my residency permit and freelance visa. Unfortunately, I don't yet have health insurance. Yes, I now know it's mandatory by ...
Is this still an issue for you? I can help you with your questions and let you have information in English about the laws and solutions. I work on a daily basis with expats with exactly your dilemma. I know what a pain it is! The other problem is ... Read More
Keeping The Receipts by Anonymous654
I don't remember where and from whom I heard this for the first time, but is it true that in Germany we need to keep all the receipts we get, even it is only small amount from groceries shopping? What they are really used for?
Chrans: yes, too bad! As they say in Jakarta.." memble " - too bad!!! Read More
Keeping The Receipts by Anonymous654
I don't remember where and from whom I heard this for the first time, but is it true that in Germany we need to keep all the receipts we get, even it is only small amount from groceries shopping? What they are really used for?
Chrans: you need receipts of many things only if you are a tax payer in the German system and especially if you麓re self-employed. In other words, anything which can help you claim back against tax eg health insurance payments, other insurances, ... Read More
Living in Germany but working remotely for UK company - help needed! by klick
I have just moved from England to Germany to be with my partner and my UK company has luckily agreed to me working remotely (as long as nothing impacts them!). I have still fully employed by my UK company, earning a UK salard and paying UK taxes. ...
Hi click! Sorry, I thought you were a man! Where does your boyfriend have private insurance? In Germany ? That麓s a crucial question. If in Germany, and if he麓s self-employed, he will have to keep it private. Your status depends on whether you麓ll be ... Read More
Living in Germany but working remotely for UK company - help needed! by klick
I have just moved from England to Germany to be with my partner and my UK company has luckily agreed to me working remotely (as long as nothing impacts them!). I have still fully employed by my UK company, earning a UK salard and paying UK taxes. ...
klick: tax issues here are far too complicated for short answers on a forum. You can only get sensible, professional advice from a tax consultant dealing in international taxation and with experience of expats. Health insurance: if you麓ve been ... Read More
Medical Records and other Important papers
Sheltie: do you or your husband actually have employment to come to? This is because of the health insurance issue. Salaried employment is the only way to get into the German public health insurance system ( although it does cost money - it麓s NOT ... Read More
health insurance
Hello filosoffa. I 麓ve just replied to your reply to my article !!!! Your Australian travel insurance does NOT cover you if you want permission to stay and work in Germany on a working permitt. Read More
Is your health insurance in Germany really kosher? by john g.
Greetings,everyone!This is my first blog here!I have a serious question for freelance expats living and working in Germany.Is your health insurance acceptable?Thousands of expats continue to be health insured with international providers such as ...
Hi Filosoffa: if you could send me an email, I can give you the information. It depends on so many things: nationality, visa situation ,how long you麓re planning to stay , age, state of health, how long in Germany already and if registered " ... Read More
Is your health insurance in Germany really kosher? by john g.
Greetings,everyone!This is my first blog here!I have a serious question for freelance expats living and working in Germany.Is your health insurance acceptable?Thousands of expats continue to be health insured with international providers such as ...
Amndalb!My pleasure and thanks for your comment!Most expats still don麓t know the strict rules here and wonder why their visa applications are turned down or why they have to pay backpayments when they change to a German insurance etc!!Best wishes! Read More
Is your health insurance in Germany really kosher?
Greetings,everyone!This is my first blog here!I have a serious question for freelance expats living and working in Germany.Is your health insurance acceptable?Thousands of expats continue to be health insured with international providers such as ... Read More