An Easier Path, the Same Choice
EU citizens moving to Germany benefit from freedom of movement, so the residence and work side is far simpler than for non-EU arrivals. What does not change is the health-insurance decision itself. Once you live and work in Germany, you need German cover, and the GKV-or-PKV question applies to you as it does to anyone else.
Coordinating Cover From Home
If you are coming from another EU country, there are coordination rules for health cover during a move, and any existing entitlement in your home country generally does not substitute for proper German insurance once you are resident and working here. The European card covers temporary stays, not living in Germany. Plan to arrange German cover from the point your employment or residence begins.
The EHIC is for visits, not living: your home-country card covers temporary stays. Once you are resident and working in Germany, you need German health insurance, and the private-or-statutory choice follows the standard rules.
Making the Decision
- Employees: GKV unless your salary is above the income threshold, which opens PKV.
- Self-employed: free to choose PKV from the start.
- Health and family: the usual factors, since PKV is assessed on health and prices each person separately.
- Length of stay: a long stay strengthens the case for building PKV reserves; a short posting may point elsewhere.
Your EU status simplifies the bureaucracy, so you can focus on the cover decision itself. Treat it as the long-term financial choice it is, and get the German arrangement in place as your work begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
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