Is Techniker Krankenkasse [TK] Really a Good Public Health Insurance Option for Expats in Germany?

Whether you’ve already made up your mind, you’re still comparing health insurance providers, or you’re still not sure whether you’d like to take out private or public health insurance here in Germany, we’ve put together this expert interview to give you some more answers about TK (Techniker Krankenkasse) health insurance so that you can decide if it’s the right one for you.

PS: This video was not a paid sponsorship, but TK is one of my long-term affiliates, so if you decide to use the link to apply below, I will make an affiliate commission. 🥰

More interviews with alternative providers should come soon too! 🙃

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#expats #germany #lifeingermany #expattips

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MY TIPS FOR LIVING IN GERMANY ✅

DISCLAIMER: Links included in my descriptions are sometimes affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission - which helps me continue to build the platform & community. There is no additional charge to you!

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00:00 - Intro Chats
01:53 - Meet the Expert, Gordon from TK
02:36 - How does health insurance work in Germany?
04:33 - What are the differences between health insurance providers?
07:13 - How long does the application process take?
07:33 - Can I go to the doctor before I receive my health card?
08:03 - What’s not covered?
09:23 - Is coverage Europe-wide?
11:06 - Are documents in English?
11:42 - Do you offer English support?
12:42 - Outro Chats

[ralf_ka]

The major reason that 88% of the german population have public health insurance is that if their yearly salary is less than 64350 €, public health insurance is mandatory. Only if your income is higher you may choose the private health insurance. There are exceptions for self employed people and for civil servants, as the latter get additional health support. However you should keep in mind, that the public health insurance includes your spouse and your (underage) children with no additional fee as long as they don't earn their own money while with the private health insurance you have to pay a fee for each member of your family. Additionally, in the private health insurance the individual fee depends on the health status at the beginning of the contract which is in contrast to the public system.

[kolli]

If specific health insurances offer special support for English speakers, that's definitely good news.
My general advice as someone who's working in the medical field is:
- Choose public health insurance if possible, especially if you plan to stay in Germany long term
- it doesn't matter what public health insurance you choose. They cover pretty much the same. That means all medical conditions that are not considered to be lifestyle medications and procedures will usually be covered.
- generally speaking, in urban areas people are more fluently at English than elsewhere, young people are better at English than older people, people from the Eastern parts less experienced in speaking English than people from the rest of Germany. So if you go to a service centre of TK e.g. in Neubrandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, don't expect service stuff to speak with you in fluent English.
- In Germany, English is no official language. At the end of the day you cannot expect to get all the support in English all the time. As adults choosing to live in a foreign country, it's your responsibility to help yourself by preparing papertwork and learning the new language as much as you can and it's your responsibility to have someone to jump in for you to translate if you have any problems understanding.

[TunekoLtd]

I think as a new TK customer lot of bullshit was said. No customer service whatsoever. No promises have been kept, we will call back and so on. Service Phone line cuts out after about minute of waiting. So go on try it for yourself choose TK. When you go TK office in the city yes we can see you have been sending emails for 3 months, but it seems we havent answered... And a another week goes by.

Whatever you do send all request normal post and require a answer in written. Germans would still like to use fax rather than emails...

[veronicagonzalez]

I've been with TK since I changed from private insurance and I've been very happy so far. I've called a couple of times and they have helped me in English with a great customer service (which you know it's a rare thing in Germany). I haven't used much my insurance mostly for normal checkups but their info online is very complete for a special situation I had.

[claudiakarl]

I‘m a member of TK. One thing I don’t like is that they up to 100€ per year for homeopathy, which is absolutely useless.

[thorz]

Unfortunately TK is paying for the dumb homeopathy.

[GeorgeSchenker]

I am member of the Hanseatische Krankenkasse. But allmost the public Krankenkasse offer the same services. The only thing I do not like is the underinvestment in dental healthcare, which I have to pay extra insurance for that.

[mattesrocket]

regt mich voll auf, dass in Deutschland extrem viel nicht auf Englisch ist oder Ausländer voll ignoriert werden in den Prozessen, z.B. bei den Banken, wenn man als Ausländer ein Konto eröffnen will, oder Krankenkasse eben oder ...Beratungen oder... oder... Englisch ist doch eine Weltsprache. Die Deutschen (bin ich auch) sind aber bürokratie-verrückt. Am Ende ist es oft gut und freundlich, aber erst mal muss es kompliziert und nicht freundlich beginnen 🙄🙄🙄

[sudiptachatterjee]

Good session. I need to what tk covers free, like doctor visit, medical test, medicine, surgery, admission into hospital for critical treatment.?

[robertzander]

Thanks for the video and all the helpful informations. Well done 👍

[uty]

Thanks for the info. I hope you do a pre-pregnancy clothes video. Has the baby kicking a lot? ❤

[williamsyeboah]

Hi. So I followed the link you provided and I just received my provisional certificate for the insurance, which becomes active on 1st October when my semester begins. I wanted to ask if this provisional certificate can be used to apply for a visa and would allow me to enter Germany before the activation date? I'd love to hear from you asap. Thank you.

[nickname]

Is there a free annual medical massage offered by the public health insurance in Germany? If yes, How it works?

[alighulamshanbani]

If we have kidney disease from our home country then TK will pay our operation fee in germany or not ?

[Ati-MarcusS]

have never heared bad or good things of the TK. i don´t know that one...

[mattesrocket]

I looked up a health insurances for British friends. Online and telephone service of TK was really bad, slow respond and not clear informations. DAK answered immediately, friendly and clearly.