When you join a statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) in Germany, you will receive an electronic health insurance card (elektronische Gesundheitskarte, eGK). This card serves as proof of your health insurance coverage and is required whenever you seek medical treatment.

What Information is on the Card?
The electronic health insurance card contains essential personal details that are necessary for medical billing and ensuring proper healthcare access. These include your full name, date of birth, address, and insurance policy number. Additionally, it shows your insurance status, indicating whether you are covered or not. The card also includes a photo of you, which is a safeguard against misuse and ensures that it is only used by the rightful holder. This card is vital for directly billing medical expenses to your insurance provider, saving you from paying upfront and later requesting reimbursement.

Where and How to Use Your Health Insurance Card?
Present your health insurance card when visiting general practitioners, specialists, dentists, hospitals, or purchasing prescribed medications from a pharmacy. It allows your insurance provider to be directly billed for covered services, so you won’t need to pay out-of-pocket for most treatments.

Using Your Health Insurance Card in Other Countries?
Your German health insurance card, which integrates the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), is valid in all 27 EU countries and several other European nations, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. This allows you to receive medical treatment under the same conditions as residents of those countries, without needing to purchase separate health insurance for short-term stays. Presenting the EHIC enables you to access necessary healthcare services abroad, including emergency care, with the same ease as when you are at home in Germany.

Important Travel Considerations?
Before traveling, confirm your health insurance coverage with your provider. Statutory health insurance may not cover certain treatments or repatriation, so consider additional travel insurance. Always carry your card as proof of coverage. If lost or expired, contact your provider for a replacement or temporary certificate.