Quick answer: Mawista is a German provider of temporary "incoming" health insurance aimed at people arriving in Germany — language students, au pairs, job seekers, visa applicants, and visiting family. It is affordable (often €30–€110/month) and accepted for many visa and residence-permit applications, but it is not full statutory cover. Once you start regular employment, become self-employed, or enrol as a degree student, you normally must switch to proper German health insurance — either public (GKV) or private (PKV).
What Is Mawista Insurance?
Mawista is a Germany-based insurance intermediary specialising in travel and incoming health insurance for foreigners spending time in Germany and the Schengen area. Its plans are designed to bridge the gap before someone qualifies for — or is required to take — full German health insurance. Because the policies are inexpensive and quick to arrange online, they are widely used by new arrivals who need proof of cover for a visa.
Who Uses Mawista — and When
Mawista's incoming plans are typically used by:
- 1Language students & course attendeesPeople in Germany for a language course or preparatory study who are not yet enrolled in a full degree programme.
- 2Job seekers & visa applicantsThose on a job-seeker visa or awaiting a residence permit who need valid health cover to apply.
- 3Au pairs, interns & visiting familyShort- to medium-term stays where statutory insurance is not available or not required yet.
- 4The gap before GKV/PKVNew arrivals covering the weeks between landing in Germany and starting a job or degree.
What Mawista Covers — and Its Limits
Incoming plans generally cover medically necessary treatment, emergencies, and hospital care during the insured period. However, they are designed as temporary cover and usually come with limits that full German insurance does not have:
Key limitation: incoming insurance often excludes or restricts pre-existing conditions, ongoing chronic treatment, pregnancy, and long-term care. It is not a substitute for full statutory or private cover once you are settled and working in Germany.
Mawista vs GKV vs PKV
| Feature | Mawista (Incoming) | GKV (Public) | PKV (Private) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Temporary / arrival | Permanent primary cover | Permanent primary cover |
| Typical cost | €30–€110/month | ~16–17% of salary | €350–€700/month |
| Pre-existing conditions | Often excluded | Covered | Assessed at entry |
| Accepted for residence permit | Often, short-term | Yes | Yes |
| Long-term suitability | No | Yes | Yes |
When You Must Switch from Mawista to PKV or GKV
Incoming insurance is a stepping stone, not a destination. You generally need to move to full German health insurance when you:
- Start regular employment — you become subject to GKV, or can choose PKV if you earn above €77,400/year (2026).
- Become self-employed or freelance — you can choose private medical insurance (PKV) at any income.
- Enrol as a degree student — you need student statutory cover or an approved alternative.
- Settle long-term — incoming plans have maximum durations and will not renew indefinitely.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mawista insurance?
Mawista is a German provider of temporary incoming health insurance for foreigners staying in Germany and the Schengen area — for example language students, au pairs, job seekers, and visiting family. Its plans are cheap and quick to arrange and are often used to satisfy visa or residence-permit requirements before someone takes full German health insurance.
Is Mawista insurance accepted for a German visa or residence permit?
Mawista incoming plans are frequently accepted as proof of health cover for short-term visas and initial residence-permit applications. However, requirements vary by visa type and local authority, and once you begin employment or studies you will normally need full statutory (GKV) or private (PKV) insurance instead. Always confirm with the relevant Ausländerbehörde.
Does Mawista count as full health insurance in Germany?
No. Mawista provides temporary incoming cover, not full statutory health insurance. It typically limits or excludes pre-existing conditions, chronic treatment, and pregnancy, and has maximum durations. Once you are employed, self-employed, or enrolled in a degree, you must switch to GKV or PKV.
How much does Mawista insurance cost?
Mawista incoming plans are inexpensive — typically around €30–€110 per month depending on age, duration, and the level of cover. This is far cheaper than full private insurance (PKV), but it reflects the temporary, limited nature of the cover.
When do I need to switch from Mawista to PKV or GKV?
You should switch when you start regular employment, become self-employed, enrol as a degree student, or settle long-term in Germany. Employees join GKV (or PKV above the income threshold); freelancers can choose PKV at any income. Incoming plans have maximum durations and are not a permanent solution.
Official Sources & Further Reading
This guide draws on official German government and regulatory sources. Rates and thresholds change annually — always confirm current figures with these bodies or a licensed broker.
- Bundesgesundheitsministerium (BMG) — Federal Ministry of Health.
- SGB V — German Social Code Book V, the legal basis for health insurance.
- BaFin — Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (regulates private insurers).
- Vermittlerregister — verify any German insurance broker's §34d GewO licence.