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Health Insurance (Krankenversicherung)
Get covered by health insurance after moving: find out which system applies to you, compare insurers, enrol, register with a family doctor and receive your card. Systems, costs and deadlines vary by country.
- Europe
- ~11 days
- 9 steps
- 5 documents
Curated by Raaya · Last reviewed Oct 2026
Steps
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Find out which system covers you
1 dayHealth systems in Europe are funded either through compulsory insurance or through residence-based public services. Which applies to you depends on the country, your job and your residence status. Find this out first, because enrolment deadlines start when you move or start work.
Country specifics: Germany, insurance is compulsory; employees earning up to 77,400 EUR a year in 2026 are insured with a public fund (Krankenkasse), while higher earners, self-employed people and civil servants may choose private insurance. Netherlands, everyone living or working there must take out basic insurance (basisverzekering) within four months. Switzerland, basic insurance is compulsory within three months of arrival. France, workers and residents are covered by the Assurance Maladie (CPAM). Spain and Italy, register with the public system through social security or the local health authority. UK, the NHS is residence-based; most visa applicants pay the Immigration Health Surcharge. Ireland, public care through the HSE, often topped up with private insurance.
Tip: Ask your employer's HR team which route applies to you.
- Online
- europa.eu
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Check what changes when you move
1 dayCover from your old country does not automatically continue once you live elsewhere. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is only for temporary stays, so after you become resident you must join the local system unless an S1 form keeps you insured in another country.
Country specifics: Posted workers and some pensioners stay insured at home and register an S1 form with the new country's insurer. Non-EU citizens applying for a visa usually need proof of cover from day one, sometimes private insurance until the public system takes over. Students may have separate rules or student rates.
Tip: Cancel your old insurance only after the new one has confirmed cover, to avoid a gap.
- Check whether your current insurance ends when you leave
- Ask your current insurer for proof of previous cover
- Ask whether an S1 form applies to you (posted workers, pensioners)
- Keep the EHIC for travel, not as long-term cover
- Check whether your visa needs proof of insurance from arrival
- Note the deadline for joining the local system
Previous Insurance Proof, EHIC or S1 Form -
Gather your enrolment documents
2 daysInsurers and health services need proof of who you are, where you live and why you are covered. Prepare scans, since most enrolments are online.
Country specifics: Germany, your Krankenkasse needs your ID, employment contract or proof of self-employment, and later your pension insurance number, which they can request for you. Netherlands, you need a BSN. France, the CPAM asks for ID, proof of address, proof of work or stable residence, a birth certificate and bank details. Spain, a social security number and padrón certificate. Italy, a codice fiscale and residence or work documents.
Tip: A recent passport photo is needed for some health cards; have a digital one ready.
Valid Passport or National IDResidence Permit or Visa (Aufenthaltstitel)Employment Contract (Arbeitsvertrag)Proof of Address (registration certificate)Previous Insurance Proof, EHIC or S1 Form -
Compare insurers and plans
1 dayWhere you can choose an insurer, compare price, services and extras. Basic coverage is often set by law, so differences lie in supplements, deductibles and added services.
Country specifics: Germany, all public funds cover the same core benefits; contributions are 14.6% of gross pay plus a fund-specific additional rate, which averages 2.9% in 2026, shared with your employer. Netherlands, compare the monthly premium, the voluntary deductible on top of the compulsory one (385 EUR in 2026) and whether the policy is in-kind or restitution; low earners may get a health-care allowance (zorgtoeslag). Switzerland, compare the deductible (franchise) and models with a family doctor. France, choose a complementary insurance (mutuelle); employers must offer one. Ireland, compare private plans from the main insurers.
Tip: Check whether family members can be covered free or at low cost.
- Monthly premium or contribution rate
- Deductible or excess and co-payments
- Dental, vision and physiotherapy cover
- Cover for family members
- English-language service and app quality
- Cover when travelling abroad
- Bonus programmes or optional tariffs
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Get advice or visit the insurer
1 dayIf your case is unusual, such as self-employment, an S1 form, a pre-existing condition or a choice between public and private, talk to someone before signing. Many insurers and public offices answer questions by phone or in person.
Country specifics: Germany, public funds have local service centres; for private insurance use an independent broker and remember that returning to public insurance is restricted, and from age 55 it is generally not possible. France, the CPAM welcome desk helps with registration. Netherlands, the insurer's customer service or the Zorginstituut information pages. UK and Ireland, ask your GP practice or the HSE about public entitlement.
Tip: Ask for any recommendation in writing, including what is excluded.
- Where
- Health insurer / public health insurance office · Bring ID, employment contract or proof of self-employment, proof of address and any previous insurance certificates or S1 form. Ask about start date, cover for family and waiting periods.
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Enrol with your insurer or health service
1 daySubmit your application online or at the office. You receive a membership confirmation, which your employer and, for visa holders, the immigration office need.
Country specifics: Germany, choose a Krankenkasse and give the membership confirmation to your employer, who deducts contributions from your salary. Netherlands, buy a policy online; cover is backdated to the date the obligation started if you sign up within four months. France, apply for your social security number and Carte Vitale through the CPAM. Spain, get your social security affiliation and then the health card from the regional health service. Italy, enrol with the SSN at your local ASL office.
Tip: Write down your insurance number; doctors ask for it before your card arrives.
Employment Contract (Arbeitsvertrag) -
Set up premium payments
1 dayMake sure your premiums or contributions are paid from the start, or your cover can lapse. Employees in compulsory public systems usually pay through payroll, while self-employed people and private policyholders pay directly.
Country specifics: Germany, employees' contributions are deducted from salary; self-employed members and private policyholders pay monthly by direct debit. Netherlands, pay the premium monthly to the insurer. Switzerland, premiums are paid directly and vary by canton. France, contributions come from payroll; the mutuelle is often shared with the employer. Ireland, private premiums are paid directly or via the employer.
Tip: Set up a direct debit so a missed payment does not cancel your cover.
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Register with a family doctor
2 daysIn most countries you get routine care and referrals through a family doctor, so register before you need one. Popular practices may have waiting lists.
Country specifics: Netherlands, register with a huisarts near your home. UK, register with a GP surgery; you do not need proof of address or immigration status to register. France, declare a médecin traitant to get full reimbursement. Spain, you are assigned to a centro de salud. Italy, choose a medico di base at the ASL. Denmark, your doctor is shown on your yellow health card. Germany, you can see any doctor directly, but having a regular Hausarzt helps.
Tip: Save the out-of-hours and emergency numbers for your area.
- Find practices near your home that accept new patients
- Register online or in person with your insurance details
- Transfer your medical records or bring a summary
- Arrange prescriptions for any regular medication
- Save the out-of-hours service and the EU emergency number 112
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Watch for your card and renewal dates
1 dayYour health card usually arrives by post within a few weeks. Until then, use your membership confirmation or insurance number at the doctor's office. Note when you can switch insurer or adjust your plan.
Country specifics: Germany, the electronic health card (eGK) needs a photo; your fund's app can provide a digital card. France, the Carte Vitale. Spain, the tarjeta sanitaria. Italy, the tessera sanitaria, which also serves as an EHIC. Netherlands, you can switch insurer once a year at the end of the year.
Tip: Order your EHIC from the new insurer for trips abroad.
Documents you'll need
| Valid Passport or National ID | Needed to verify your identity when enrolling. EU citizens can use a national ID card. |
|---|---|
| Residence Permit or Visa (Aufenthaltstitel) | Non-EU citizens show their legal residence. Your status can decide whether you join the public system or need private cover. |
| Employment Contract (Arbeitsvertrag) | Shows that you work and your salary. In Germany salary above the 2026 threshold of 77,400 EUR a year allows a choice of private insurance. |
| Proof of Address (registration certificate) | Many systems need your registered address or a citizen number (BSN, social security number) before enrolling. |
| Previous Insurance Proof, EHIC or S1 Form | Proof of earlier cover helps avoid waiting periods. An S1 form keeps you insured in another EU country, for example as a posted worker or pensioner. |
Official sources
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General guidance, not legal, tax or immigration advice. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you act.