Is travel insurance separate for medical emergencies?

Within Germany: GKV/PKV fully covers emergency health situations → travel insurance is not required. Outside Germany: GKV provides limited coverage → travel insurance is essential.

#Emergencies Within Germany

• GKV card is sufficient — Notaufnahme (emergency room) is free
• Ambulance call (112) is free
• Hospital stay: 10 €/day co-payment for 28 days/year (then free)
• Medication: Prescription medication 5-10 € co-payment

#Within the European Union (EHIC)

• ✓ EHIC on the back of your GKV card (European Health Insurance Card) — emergency health coverage in EU countries
• ✓ Hospital during holidays in Spain, Italy, France, etc. → payment with EHIC
• ✗ Hospitalization + return costs are not fully covered (only emergency services)

#Outside Germany/EU

GKV coverage is very limited or non-existent

• If you get sick during a trip to Turkey → GKV partially reimburses
• USA, Japan, Turkey, etc. → additional travel insurance is essential

#Travel Insurance (Auslandskrankenversicherung)

#Annual Package (Single Person)

#Single Trip (Short Term)

• For 1-2 weeks holiday: 5-15 € policy
• Easy to purchase online (Check24, Verivox comparison)

#When Is It Necessary?

Annual package recommended if:

• you travel to Turkey 2x/year
• you travel outside Europe (USA, Asia)
• you are a young + frequent traveler student

Single trip insurance is sufficient if:

• you travel to Turkey once a year
• EHIC is enough for holidays within Europe

#Turkey Specific Situation

If you are a Turkish citizen + traveling to Turkey:

• You might still be registered with SGK in Turkey (if you haven't deregistered)
• With an SGK + GKV combination, hospital care in Turkey is free
• If SGK is closed or delayed → additional travel insurance is essential

Recommended combination:

• GKV (in Germany)
• HanseMerkur Auslandsreise (18 €/year, 56 days worldwide coverage annually)
• Total additional cost: ~18 €/year

#Emergency Numbers (in Europe)

• 112 — Emergency services throughout the EU (fire, ambulance, police)
• 116 117 — Germany non-emergency medical on-call service
• +49 30 11 22 33 44 — Turkish Consulate emergency line (for Turkish citizens in Germany)

#Which Insurance for Which Scenario?

#Important

• Attach your insurance policy to your phone cover — Quick access in an emergency
• Insurance number + emergency hotline must be known (usually written on the policy)
• Claim form (Schadenformular) documents must be sent to the insurance company within 30 days for completion

Related: Monthly insurance fee.