Incoming health insurance - what does that mean?

Incoming health insurance refers to health insurance that applies to people who are temporarily living or working in another country. This type of insurance provides cover for medical emergencies and treatment during the stay abroad. Incoming health insurance can also be referred to as travel health insurance and is particularly important for people who do not have adequate health insurance in the host country.

Incoming health insurance is required if you are temporarily living or traveling in another country. It offers protection in the event of illness or accident and covers the costs of medical treatment, medicines and hospital stays. Without such insurance, high costs can arise that you have to bear yourself. Incoming health insurance therefore ensures that you are well looked after abroad and do not have to worry about the financial consequences of illness or injury.

Incoming health insurance is usually required by people who are temporarily living, working or traveling in another country. These include tourists, business travelers, students abroad, au pairs, interns and expatriates. Incoming health insurance can also be useful for visitors from friends or relatives abroad. It is important to find out about the insurance regulations and requirements of the destination country before you travel and, if necessary, take out suitable incoming health insurance.

When taking out incoming health insurance, you should pay attention to the following points:

• Scope of cover: make sure that the insurance covers all necessary services, such as doctor's visits, medication, hospitalization and repatriation.
• Duration of insurance cover: Check whether the insurance is valid for the entire planned duration of your stay and whether an extension is possible.
• Deductible: Clarify whether an excess is payable and if so, how much.
• Area of validity: Make sure that the insurance is valid in the destination country and also covers possible trips to other countries.
• Additional benefits: Check whether the insurance includes additional benefits such as personal liability insurance or accident insurance.
• Emergency number: Make sure that the insurance offers a 24-hour emergency number that you can use to get help in an emergency.

It is advisable to compare different offers and to be well informed about the conditions of the insurance to ensure that you get the right cover for your stay abroad.

The need for incoming health insurance depends on various factors, such as the destination country, the type of stay and the insurance regulations that apply there. In some countries, health insurance for foreign visitors is required by law, while in others it is only recommended.

In general, however, it is recommended that citizens of all countries who are temporarily traveling or living abroad take out incoming health insurance. This applies in particular to tourists, business travelers, students abroad, au pairs, interns and expatriates. Health insurance offers protection against unexpected medical costs and guarantees appropriate medical care in the event of illness or injury during your stay abroad.