sign up for KK before starting my new job?

[alison]

Hello all,

Sorry for my so so many questions. I will start a new job in Berlin on Feb. 15, 2026. As of yesterday, I am unemployed here in the US and have no health insurance. My question is, should I sign up for the KK before I go to my Wohnsitz/Meldebescheinigung appointment on 3 Feb.? My German is pretty good, but when I look at

https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/file ... EN_neu.pdf

I see "valid health care insurance" listed as a requirement. Does this mean that I must already sign up for KK before the Wohnsitz/Meldebescheinigung appointment? I still have the health insurance card from the US, which is now cancelled by my employer, but the Bürgeramt won't know that. Obviously I want health insurance, but am just a bit puzzled by the order in which to undertake these activities.

Thanks,
Alison

[Franklan]

You might want to read this. It is from "Techniker Krankenkasse", the only German health insurance to have customer support in English available.

And here is the link to join them.

[bethannbitt]

Hello all,
I see "valid health care insurance" listed as a requirement. Does this mean that I must already sign up for KK before the Wohnsitz/Meldebescheinigung appointment? I still have the health insurance card from the US, which is now cancelled by my employer, but the Bürgeramt won't know that. Obviously I want health insurance, but am just a bit puzzled by the order in which to undertake these activities.

We started with a travel Insurance for the Meldebescheinigung and that Insurance was immediately replaced and discontinued once we got into the KK. I don't believe that your US insurance, even it were valid in the US, counts at all, because it's not usable here if something happens. I would think that your employer can steer you on this too.

[alison]

You might want to read this. It is from "Techniker Krankenkasse", the only German health insurance to have customer support in English available.

And here is the link to join them.

Thank you. While my German is pretty good, I certainly could use a service which "answers all your questions about German
health and long-term care insurance by phone or mail."

I looked into the travel health insurance, but it's very focussed on trip cancellation, which is not happening in my case. Perhaps I will need trip insurance as a stopgap anyway.

Thanks,
Alison

[JN53]

Wouldn't your employer just help you with insurance when you arrive? You won't be a freelancer, right? I had TK. I don't remember, though, how it all worked, but I assume I did my Anmeldung first and then everything else, but it was kind of doing everything as soon as possible. I did everything in German, so I'm not sure how it is with English, but many other Toytowners have dealt in English with TK, as you have heard.

[LeonG]

I remember insurance being some kind of headache when I arrived here a million years ago. TK would not insure me because I didn't come here from an EU country and I did not have a job yet so I am guessing that you need your employer to take care of your insurance.

[alison]

You might want to read this. It is from "Techniker Krankenkasse", the only German health insurance to have customer support in English available.

Wow Franklan, that link has the first clear explanation I've read anywhere:

As an employee, you don’t have to worry about insurance cover, but you do have to decide which health insurance provider you want to insure you. Your employer will register you with your chosen provider when you start work,

I'll go ahead and get the travel insurance even though it's a mismatch with emigration and wait until my job starts for the KK.

Thanks again everyone,
Alison

[snowingagain]

I think the approved route for health insurance when arriving before job starts, is interim private insurance (Mawista, anyone?). Until registered, job started, etc, then public via employer. Though as Leon G said it is not always straightforward, eg were you insured when you were living here previously?

There is a LOT of conflicting advice online, with firms trying to flog insurance. I miss John G.

[alison]

Just in case it helps anyone else, I ended up registering with IMG Patriot Exchange. The plan has the advantage of not requiring trip cancellation insurance which I don't want. With a high deductible and a high cover limit, the fee is still less than $200 for one month. IMG has also provided me a form letter which confirms that I have coverage in DE.

-- Alison