- Do Russians need insurance to travel to Germany?
- Insurance requirements
- What risks will the insurance cover?
- Additional options
- What risks will not be covered by insurance?
- What dangers await tourists in Germany?
- How much is insurance?
- Actions of a tourist in the event of an insured event
- Where to buy insurance for Germany?
- How to apply for a visa?
Germany is the land of poets and thinkers, as it is often called. The country is located almost in the very center of Europe and is the keeper of thousand-year-old traditions. Every year, Germany is visited by millions of tourists from all over the world, with the majority of travelers coming to Berlin. But besides the magnificent capital, the country offers vacationers modern ski resorts in the Alps, balneological clinics and beaches, which usually fade into the background compared to everything else.
When planning your trip, don't forget to buy insurance for your trip to Germany. It will help you avoid large medical expenses in an emergency.
Do Russians need insurance to Germany?
Germany is a member country of the Schengen Agreement. This means that to visit Berlin you must submit a visa application to the consulate or one of the specialized visa centers. Having health insurance is one of the mandatory requirements. In the absence of a policy, as well as in the event of a document that does not comply with international registration rules, entry into Germany will be denied.
Visa insurance is needed not only to get the coveted stamp in your passport. The policy will be your protection in a difficult situation in a foreign country. If you have insurance, you can count on timely and qualified medical care and consulting support from service center specialists. This is important because Russian consulates abroad do not have the rights and capabilities to pay bills from German clinics. In case of illness, injury, or other accident abroad, in the absence of insurance, the tourist will have to pay for treatment on his own. Prices for medical services in Europe are quite high, so it is better to insure yourself and your loved ones.
A medical policy to Germany gives the right
By purchasing health insurance in Germany, you will receive:
- immediate medical attention;
- payment of telephone bills related to the insured event;
- payment for transport;
- payment for medicines;
- hospital treatment.
Three rules of insurance in Germany
- a mandatory requirement that the insurance cover not only the entire period of validity of the visa, but exceed it by 15 days;
- the insurance must cover the entire Schengen area;
- The medical care that the victim will receive abroad must be at least 30,000 euros, which means that the cost of insurance coverage must not be lower than this level.
What to do if you get sick in Germany
- Always have on hand the contacts of an assistance company that provides assistance in the event of an insured event; You should always carry a copy of your insurance with you.
- Call the insurance company, even while roaming from your mobile phone - the insurer is obliged to pay your telephone bills.
- Provide information about yourself (full name), policy number, and location.
- Find out how to pay for treatment. If there is no money, you must immediately inform the assistance service. Then you will be offered a clinic where you can get treatment on credit.
In unforeseen cases - loss of company contacts, phone number, etc., you can contact any hospital and save all documents related to the provision of medical care. Having returned to Russia, you need to contact your insurance company, which will help you return the amount spent.
Additional options
Medical insurance for a trip to Germany can be extended. The contract includes additional risks corresponding to the timing and purpose of the trip.
- Lost luggage
. During flights, personal belongings, including quite valuable ones, have to be handed over to the airport baggage service. If suitcases are lost or delayed in transit due to the fault of the carrier, insurance will allow you to receive monetary compensation for losses. - Trip cancellation
. When a tourist is forced to cancel a trip or reschedule it, he loses the cost of a non-refundable hotel reservation and air tickets. Travel cancellation insurance compensates for financial losses associated with trip cancellation due to circumstances. - Civil responsibility
. While on vacation in a foreign country, a person finds himself in an unfamiliar environment. It is difficult to predict all the circumstances in which you may find yourself while traveling. In a hotel, on an excursion, or while walking around the city, a tourist can accidentally damage someone else’s property or cause harm to the health of another person. Extended insurance will satisfy the financial claims of injured persons as determined by the court at the expense of the insurance company. - Active recreation and sports
. The option must be included in your medical insurance for traveling to Germany if you are planning to visit ski resorts, extreme hikes, cycling on equipped trails and other entertainment. Extended insurance gives you the right to receive qualified medical care in the event of a sports injury.
Read about the scope of liability of the insurance company and a detailed description of each option in the contract and in the Insurance Rules.
What risks does the insurance policy cover?
The range of medical services covered by insurance for a national visa to Germany is wide:
- transportation of the patient to the hospital (by car of a medical institution or other means of transport by agreement with the assistance company);
- hospital stay;
- outpatient treatment (consultative work with a doctor, discharge and receipt of prescription drugs);
- transportation of the patient and repatriation of remains to the Russian Federation;
- compensation for telephone expenses for communication with a representative of the insurer.
If a citizen is traveling to the country directly for health purposes - for the treatment of sexually transmitted and chronic diseases (including mental disorders), planned hospitalization, medical insurance for travel to Germany does not cover these cases.
It is important to know! If circumstances are identified that arose before the insurance came into force, as well as alcohol, drug or toxic intoxication that led to injury or illness (road accidents, for example), payments are not made.
Unforeseen incidents (terrorist attacks, mass uprisings, military actions) are not an insured event.
But you can expand the list of risks in the contract with additional clauses:
- accident;
- sports and active traumatic recreation;
- driving a car;
- Civil responsibility.
Added to this list is assistance in cases of alcohol intoxication or complications during pregnancy.
The main thing that a citizen must remember is the absence of initiative and strict coordination of his actions with the assistance officer. Initially, contact the assistance company by phone, or better yet, by email, indicating:
- Full name, insurance number, name of the insurer;
- all the details of the incident;
- your location;
- contacts for feedback.
The employee will inform which medical center. the institution should contact and name the doctor whose services are covered by this health insurance in Germany. At this stage, you need to pay attention to the issue of travel - this is also agreed upon in order to receive compensation.
The hospital itself does not pay for any services without agreement with the assistance company, and they do not leave your passport at the reception desk. Prescription medications must be accompanied by receipts. If the pharmacy has an analogue of the recommended drug, the pharmacist must make a note on the receipt indicating which drug it was given instead.
If situations arise that assistance company employees cannot help with, contact the Unified Rescue Service (phone 112) or the Russian Embassy in Germany.
Insurance for a visa to Germany is issued when purchasing a tour at the office of a travel company or on the portal of insurance companies - cherehapa.ru.
Some of the most popular are: “Help Insurance Company”, “Soglasie”, “Ingosstrakh”, “ERV”. Internet resources allow you to receive all the forms necessary to fill out to the customer’s email address or fill them out online. After the assistance company receives applications, the program will request payment.
The German company Hanse-Merkur Reiseversicherung AG is also in demand in the insurance services market, which has also developed an electronic form of interaction with clients and can offer several options for insurance policies.
An important question is how much medical insurance costs in Germany. It all depends on the period, the scope of the selected options in the contract and the territorial location of the insurance coverage. The simplest two-week insurance will cost around 50 rubles per day. And the most expensive annual rent often does not exceed 150 rubles per day.
- The private agent will not keep you waiting long, but will ask for additional compensation for the services.
- You still need to find an insurance company and also overpay for the work, and if you are unlucky, then stand in line for a certain time.
- The online option is the most acceptable in terms of acquisition time and cost.
The EuroAvia.ru company has been in the tourism services market for many years. Here you can find everything you need for a comfortable trip. Issuing policies, purchasing tickets and booking hotels is not the entire range of services provided. EuroAvia.ru can be trusted in any situation. At the same time, clients are offered the best prices and the possibility of quick processing.
What risks will not be covered by insurance?
Every rule has its exceptions. An insurance contract for a trip to Germany does not compensate for risks in the following cases:
- illness or injury was received by a tourist while under the influence of alcohol/drugs. While on vacation, refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages. Germany is an amazing country where you can get a lot of positive emotions and impressions without alcohol;
- The tourist did not follow the doctor’s recommendations during treatment or took medications without prescription. In severe cases, do not try to help yourself with folk remedies and medications. Treatment must be carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist;
- the traveler grossly violated safety requirements. In every hotel, guidebook, and excursion bus, the rules of safe behavior are always posted in the most visible place. Please re-read them carefully upon arrival. Do not neglect instructions on the ski slope. Violating the rules of safe behavior in public places often leads to dire consequences.
Insurance cases
Emergency situations that will be covered by the insurance policy:
- transportation of the insured person to the hospital;
- outpatient and inpatient treatment;
- visiting the dentist with acute pain;
- evacuation of a tourist to his homeland according to doctors’ indications;
- repatriation of the body.
More detailed information about insured events should be described in the annex to the insurance policy.
Insurance programs
There are several types of insurance programs, but most often they are divided into economy, comfort and premium. The main difference between these programs is the amount of insurance coverage and the number of additional options.
What risks will not be covered by insurance?
Not all emergencies are included in the insurance coverage. Such cases are associated with injuries while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, so it is advisable to refrain from drinking large quantities of alcoholic beverages. Compensable risks also do not include cases when a tourist, during treatment, does not follow the recommendations of the attending doctor, taking other medications without prescription.
This also includes injuries associated with non-compliance with safety precautions.
Additional options
When purchasing health insurance, you can choose additional options that will expand the list of insured events. These include:
- Lost luggage. If passengers' luggage is lost or delayed due to the fault of the transport company, then insurance coverage will allow you to receive monetary compensation.
- Leisure. Ski resorts, extreme hiking, cycling and other outdoor activities pose a danger to tourists. This additional option will allow you to receive qualified assistance for a sports injury.
- Trip cancellation. In cases where the trip is completely canceled or postponed to other dates, the tourist may incur unexpected expenses due to the loss of paid air tickets or hotel reservations (if it is impossible to exchange or cancel them). A valid policy will allow you to receive compensation for financial losses incurred due to circumstances.
- Civil responsibility. While traveling in another country with unknown laws, every tourist may find himself in a difficult situation when someone else's property is damaged or another person's health is harmed. The executed option will allow you to pay financial compensation according to a court decision.
What dangers await tourists in Germany
Germany is considered one of the safest countries for travelers. The climate here is close to Russian, so the flight is easily tolerated even by small children.
As for the quality of drinking water and food, it is carefully monitored. Tourists are recommended to dine in trusted cafes and restaurants. It is better to buy drinking water, and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly. These are basic rules of personal hygiene that will protect you from stomach problems.
Natural hazards include ticks. These insects carry many diseases, including encephalitis. Ticks are common in the southwest of Germany, so it is better to stock up on special sprays for traveling in these areas.
general information
You've probably noticed that when applying for a Schengen visa, there are many conditions, one of which is the availability of health insurance. But why is it necessary and is it possible to do without a policy?
Unfortunately, or fortunately, you can’t do without a policy. Medical insurance is a mandatory document. Germany has high-quality, but at the same time very expensive medicine. The government understands perfectly well that the average Russian will not be able to pay for German medical services. For this reason, all tourists are required to take out insurance to Germany.
How much does insurance cost in Germany?
The cost of health insurance depends on the following factors:
- tourist's age
. To calculate insurance for a child, an elderly person and an adult, different coefficients are used, therefore the price of the policy will be different; - type of insurance
. You can take out a policy for a single trip or for multiple trips to Germany throughout the year; - risk filling
. Extending the insurance contract always increases the price. The difference in cost is insignificant compared to possible payments for insured events; - insurance coverage amounts
. It sets a limit on the financial liability of the insurance company. Bills that exceed this amount will be paid by the tourist himself. Minimum coverage of 30,000 USD. That is, enough for a short trip. For a long vacation, active recreation, and especially for traveling with children, it is recommended to increase the amount to 50,000 or 100,000 USD. e.
Insurance registration procedure
Registration of an insurance policy involves the following actions:
- filling out a standard insurance policy form electronically on the official website of the German embassy or consulate;
- choosing one of the insurance programs;
- indication of personal data, email addresses, contact phone numbers;
- making payment;
- printout of the insurance document.
At the moment, there are several options for obtaining an insurance policy for a trip to Germany:
- through communication via the Internet. This option is quite convenient and not expensive. Payment for services can be made using a plastic card on this service. A list of insurance companies will be provided here. It is best to opt for a company with an average price range. Within 5 minutes after payment, the insurance policy will be sent to the specified e-mail address;
- in one of the German visa centers in Moscow and other large Russian cities. The company’s specialists will advise the applicant and help fill out the standard application correctly;
- at an insurance company. Insurance agents will provide advisory and practical assistance to applicants here. The form must be filled out without errors.
As for the cost part, health insurance does not have a fixed cost. It may vary depending on the following factors:
- time of stay in Germany;
- purpose of the trip: tourism, trip by invitation;
- insurance programs: classic, auto, premium;
- age category of the person crossing the German border. The price of insurance becomes higher if the tourist’s age exceeds 65 years.
Actions of a tourist in the event of an insured event
After registration of the policy, you will receive a memo with a detailed algorithm of actions. If an insured event occurs abroad, you need to:
- call the assistance company’s service center;
- tell the operator what happened to you, tell him your policy number;
- act in accordance with the instructions of a specialist. The service center will select the nearest medical facility for you, where they will provide assistance under the insurance contract.
If you were unable to contact the service center due to objective reasons, contact only official clinics and save all documents. Call the operator as soon as possible. You can submit an application for compensation of expenses within 30 days from the date of the insured event.
Insurance for a visa to Germany
Without an insurance policy, a package of documents for obtaining a Schengen visa will not be accepted. Upon entry, border guards sometimes check for insurance, and its absence may result in a refusal to let you into the country.
Do Russians need insurance to Germany?
You cannot assume that insurance is just a formality that is required solely for obtaining a visa. Having an insurance policy when traveling abroad is the key to your peace of mind and security. Climate change can contribute to the exacerbation of chronic diseases; Unusual food can cause an eating disorder or an allergic reaction, and natural disasters, accidents or outdoor activities can lead to injury. If an insured event occurs without insurance, Russians are not entitled to assistance from the state. According to the law, if the policy is not issued, then the costs of medical care abroad or evacuation, even in an emergency, fall on the traveler himself.
What troubles can a tourist encounter in Germany?
Despite the fact that Germany is considered a generally prosperous European country, there are a number of unpleasant situations that travelers often find themselves in.
- In crowded tourist areas of large cities, there is a chance of getting pickpocketed. Therefore, you need to be careful and exercise caution.
- Car accidents involving tourists are also quite common. If you rent a car, obey speed limits and safety rules.
- Germany is famous for its sausages, and the traditional cuisine is quite fatty and heavy. Therefore, a traveler with gastrointestinal diseases or a tendency to allergies should check the composition of dishes and the method of preparation.
- If you are planning a long stay in nature, then it is worth remembering that in the forests of Germany there is a danger of contracting tick-borne encephalitis. It is recommended to get vaccinated in advance.
- Sometimes a tourist in Germany faces legal problems: for example, any manifestations of Nazism are legally prohibited there - symbols, shouting, as well as Holocaust denial.
What expenses does a basic insurance policy cover?
- Emergency care and subsequent treatment in a medical facility;
- Transportation costs;
- Emergency dental care;
- Examination and diagnosis;
- Purchasing prescription drugs and materials necessary for treatment;
- Help with exacerbation of chronic diseases or allergic reactions;
- Emergency surgical care;
- Repatriation in case of death.
What you need to pay attention to when applying for health insurance in Germany
- The validity period of travel insurance for Germany must fully cover the duration of your stay in the country. Take out a policy for a certain number of days within a specific time period if travel dates may change.
- Insurance valid throughout the Schengen area is required.
- The insurance policy must cover the costs of emergency medical care and transportation for medical reasons or in the event of death.
- The minimum amount of insurance coverage is 30,000 euros.
- If treatment is the purpose of travel to Germany, then the fact of covering such expenses must be confirmed separately.
- It is not allowed to issue a medical policy with a deductible.
What additional options can be included in extended insurance?
If you have clearly planned your vacation, then it is easy for you to foresee possible risks and include them in your insurance.
- Lost Baggage: Knowing that you have a connecting flight, you can include the “Lost Baggage” option in your package. Then, if your luggage is lost or arrives late, you can count on compensation.
- Sports and active recreation: if the purpose of your trip is active recreation, then when applying for a policy you should indicate this, specifying the planned types of activities. In the absence of such an option, in the event of an injury, all treatment costs will have to be borne independently.
- Non-departure, cancellation or interruption of trip: this option allows you to count on a refund of the cost of paid tickets and reservations if you or one of your companions is denied a visa; if you suddenly become ill or encounter an illness/death in the family; if your participation in legal proceedings in Russia is necessary. All these cases fall under the category of insurance.
- Civil Liability: With this option, the insurance company bears the cost of compensating for damage that you may accidentally cause to the property or health of third parties.
What cases are not covered by insurance?
- Injuries sustained while playing sports and trip cancellation (if these options were not added when purchasing the policy);
- Injuries received while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and damage caused in connection with this;
- Driving without a license and violating traffic rules;
- Violation of German legislation and/or safety regulations;
- Health improvement, treatment of chronic diseases (if it is not an exacerbation), treatment of mental disorders;
- Self-medication;
- Ignoring the requirements of the insurance company.
Usually the list of insured and non-insurable events is listed in the contract, so you need to study it carefully before the trip.
Cost of health insurance in Germany
The cost of the policy is not fixed and depends on several parameters:
- Age. Insurance costs vary for children, adults and seniors.
- Duration of the trip. Number of days of stay in Germany or Schengen countries.
- Sum insured. The minimum limit is 30,000 euros.
- Availability of additional options.
Instructions: how to act in the event of an insured event
- Keep calm. Do not call a doctor yourself, do not go to the nearest hospital.
- Call the number indicated in the policy. When preparing for your trip, save it on your smartphone.
- State your name, contract number, and expiration date.
- Describe the situation, tell me where you are.
- Follow the operator's instructions.
- If you paid for transportation or treatment yourself, keep your receipts for reimbursement.
- Provide receipts to the insurance company within 30 days of the occurrence of the insured event.
How to buy insurance to Germany online
In order to buy insurance to Germany online, you need to fill out a form. Bank cards denominated in Russian rubles are accepted for payment. After payment, you will receive a complete set of documents to the e-mail you specified and an SMS message with your policy data.
Where to buy insurance in Germany
You can apply for a policy for traveling abroad online on the website. The purchase will only take a few minutes:
- select the type of policy and period of travel;
- indicate the birth dates of each tourist you will include in the contract. Up to 4 people can be included in one policy. If there are more tourists, take out another insurance;
- indicate the sports you plan to practice in Germany;
- select one of the insurance programs or add individual options;
- enter your contact information;
- pay the amount calculated by the online calculator.
After completing the payment, the policy will be sent to your e-mail. Print it out and save an electronic copy on your phone in case you lose the paper copy.
For online insurance questions, you can consult with hotline specialists at 8-800-333-0-999.
Insurance requirements
Insurance requirements vary depending on the traveler's intentions. The duration of the insurance and its cost depend on the purpose of the visit, what type of visa the applicant is counting on and how long he plans to stay in the country. The coverage amount for a Schengen visa must be at least 30,000 euros. The maximum value of insurance coverage is 100,000 euros. The insurance must cover all Schengen countries, and the duration must include the day of arrival and departure.
A prerequisite is that the policy must indicate 15 additional days in case of unforeseen circumstances.
An example of insurance for a minimum amount.
Design features
We will talk about online registration, since in our opinion this is the most convenient and fastest way to obtain an insurance policy.
Policy registration algorithm:
- Choose an insurance company after studying reviews. We recommend choosing large companies and banks that are interested in their reputation;
- Go to the company’s official website and find the section with online registration. For some companies this is a large button on the main page of the site, and for some it’s worth searching for one or two minutes;
- Fill out the application form in Russian, without skipping any columns;
- Pay for registration. Each company has its own payment methods, but often large companies offer payment using a bank card, Yandex Money, Qiwi, WebMoney and other systems. You can also pay directly in the office, but in this case all the advantages of online registration are reduced to zero;
- Receive the insurance policy to your email and then print it out.
After registration, the printed insurance must be attached to the set of documents. After which you can apply for a visa.
To obtain Schengen visas to Germany, a policy with a minimum set of services is suitable. The main thing is that it meets the conditions that you mentioned above. Additional options are not required.
You decide for yourself whether to pay extra for them or not. You must select and purchase insurance for the needs that are best for you. There's no point in purchasing an active sports plan if you don't plan to do it.
How much does registration cost?
Now let's move on to the most important thing, let's talk about the cost of insurance to Germany. When you saw the coverage amount of 30 thousand euros, you probably thought that health insurance for national visas to Germany costs incredible amounts of money. But that's not true.
The cost of one day of insurance will cost you 1-2 euros per day of stay. That is, a week of insurance will cost only 7-14 euros. Prices are different everywhere, but we do not recommend purchasing insurance for less than 1 euro/day.
The price for the policy may increase if you add additional services to the basic set of options. The more services and the longer the stay in Germany, the more expensive the insurance.
Russians leaving for Germany for at least six months to a year must pay from 150 euros per person. Whereas a policy for a tourist trip rarely costs more than 50-100 euros.
Soberly assess which insurance services will be useful for you and which there is no point in overpaying for. Of course, the easiest way is to immediately buy a package with the largest number of options, paying a considerable amount.
But would you use services for athletes if you are planning trips to museums and evenings in restaurants? Is luggage insurance really necessary if you only take a small backpack with you and plan to move around the city with it? Answer these questions yourself and choose the optimal insurance rate.
Be punctual!
The processing time for a German national visa ranges from four weeks to several months. As a rule, problems arise due to an incorrectly assembled package of documents. Some D visa applicants forget to provide an important form or complete the paperwork inappropriately. All this can cause delays and refusal to issue a residence permit.
Russian citizens are often denied a visa due to an incorrectly issued insurance policy. Not all insurers know which policy is required for a national visa to Germany. Insufficient amount of insurance coverage, incorrect policy validity period, lack of partner clinics in the country and other formalities can work against you.
We save your time and effort - with us you can issue a policy that fully complies with the requirements of the Consulate. And remember: after a national visa to Germany is refused, it is extremely difficult to obtain a German Schengen visa. Trust the professionals - contact Safety & Rest!