Gillian1974

Hello,

I'm not sure this is the correct forum (or even the appropriate message board ) but maybe someone can help.

I was born in the US, my father was American and my mother is British and I have an American passport and a British passport.

Now here's the problem...
Next year I'm moving to Berlin, Germany. I know I don't have to worry about getting a visa/work permit because I am part of the EU BUT they require you to have health insurance. I currently have health insurance through work here in the states but i'm not covered overseas. I tried doing some research and it appears you have to live and have worked for at least a year in the UK to obtain health insurance. Would I have to purchase health insurance in Germany in order to live in Berlin? I'm so confused!!!

Any help would be much appreciated!!!
Thanks!
Gill

Jerseygirl

Maybe someone in the Europe forum can help you with your question about Germany. There are some USCs here that have lived in Germany but I think it's mainly with the US military so health insurance wouldn't be an issue.

Elvira

Who is requiring you to have health insurance? Germany has universal healthcare which you get through employment. Do a search for Krankenkassen.

Giantaxe

To be covered by the UK NHS you would have to be "ordinarily resident" in the UK, which you are clearly not. It has nothing to do with nationality. I suspect this would also form the basis of any reciprocal benefits you'd be entitled to in Germany on the basis of UK coverage. So you will need to find out whether Germany itself provides coverage based on your residence/employment (I thought it did?) there. Probably the wrong forum to get a good answer on that.

mrcusa

You will receive full health coverage in Germany through your employment, by law.

No issues.

It has nothing to do with residence in Germany. That is the UK that bases coverage on residency.

Martin

MsElui

when i lived in germany i remember the tax being quite a high proprtion of my income and was told that was to cover the healthcare etc. i lived there a year and had no issue getting into a doctors.

Gillian1974

I probably won't be getting a job until I get settled in a bit.

Thanks everyone!

JAJ

Bear in mind that as you are a British citizen "by descent" (presumably - you must have a Certificate of registration as a British citizen, if you were born in 1974), if you have a child born outside the United Kingdom (eg in Germany), the child will not automatically be a British citizen.

englishinfl

You'll enjoy Berlin, and living in Germany, I loved it.