Travel Insurance For Germany - What To Take Note of

As of 10th January 2023, Singaporeans will require to do a PCR test before departure and also upon arrival. Should the person test positive, isolation and quarantine regulations are applied for 14 days. Furthermore, transport will wholly depend on the traveler to find accommodation during the 10 days of quarantine.

Please note that there will be a context of random checks from your carrier before departure if you have spent time in an area with a potentially high risk of Covid-19 infections. This could come from before and after arriving in Germany, where a PoC antigen test will be undergone.

Germany is a member state of the Schengen Area, it has allowed the nationals of 62 countries to enter Germany without a need to obtain a visa.

Of all the 62 countries, Singapore is considered one of them which allows them to reside in Germany for 90 days within 6 months, visa-free. 

When it comes to accommodation, Germany has a wide variety of options for all types of travelers. From luxurious hotels and apartments to budget hostels and camping grounds, there is something for everyone in the country.

If you’re looking for a luxurious stay, then some of the best 5-star hotels in the country include the Adlon Kempinski in Berlin, the Park Hyatt in Munich, and the Le Meridien Grand Hotel in Frankfurt.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for budget accommodation options then there are many hostels to choose from in Germany such as A&O Hostel Hamburg Reeperbahn, Wombat’s City Hostel Munich, and Generator Berlin Mitte.

For those who prefer to stay in self-catering apartments, there are plenty of furnished apartments available for rent all across Germany. Some of the most popular cities with furnished apartment rentals include Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Frankfurt. 

Before you leave for Germany, it is prudent to purchase travel insurance which will cover expenses such as medical or hospital fees, lost luggage, and other emergencies. Travel insurance may also provide financial coverage in case of flight cancellations or delays. Having travel insurance before embarking on your trip can provide invaluable peace of mind and ensure that you are protected in the event of any unexpected expenses or circumstances.

Without travel insurance, you may be liable to pay all of the costs associated with medical treatment or other emergency services out of pocket. 

Getting around Germany is relatively convenient as it has multiple public transport at your disposal. A list of these transportation options is the usual taxis and buses. The more unheard of these are u-Bahn and s-Bahn.

U-Bahn (Untergrundbahn or Underground Rail) is a local, urban rail network that has been around since the end of the 19th century. This mode of transport offers frequent services in almost all cities in Germany and is often the most convenient way to get around. It runs mostly underground but sometimes also overground. The u-Bahn service operates 24 hours a day in some major cities like Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, etc., while other cities may have limited hours of operation on Sundays or at night.

S-Bahn (Stadtschnellebahn or City Rapid Railway) is a regional railway network connecting different cities and towns in a region. It runs overground and is usually more economical than the u-Bahn, although it may take longer to get to your destination. S-Bahn trains are less frequent than u-Bahn train services, so you should always plan your journey ahead of time. Many cities in Germany have s-Bahn service and it is usually divided into zones. The s-Bahn operates from early in the morning until late at night.

Tickets are usually obtained from the ticket offices during normal business hours. There are also available online if you download this smartphone app. Validations must be confirmed before boarding and in Germany particularly, you can also buy a ticket from the bus driver as well.

Validation for the ticket in one direction goes for two hours via all of the public transports listed above. Validation ends after arriving at the destination, and if you want to return to your previous destination, you will be required to buy a new ticket.

If you are planning to rent a car to explore Germany, then you should be aware of international driving permits. All international drivers must have an international permit for them to drive legally in Germany. This can be obtained from your local post office, motor vehicle, or automobile organization depending on the country that you’re coming from.

You should also know that Germany introduced environmental stickers in 2016, which come in the colors green, yellow, and red.

What these stickers are for is that the German government applies emissions limits to all vehicles to reduce pollution levels. With green stickers, you can drive into most of Germany's cities while there are limitations to the yellow and red stickers. The sticker is affixed to the lower left corner of your windshield.

Germany is widely known for its healthcare system which is one of the best in the world. Otto von Bismarck created the German healthcare system in 1883, who was also responsible for creating Germany's social security system. His vision was to provide a comprehensive healthcare system for all German citizens, which has been in place ever since.

Travelers to Germany have access to the same healthcare benefits that German citizens have, with some restrictions. Healthcare in Germany is divided into three levels: statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung), private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung), and complementary health insurance (Zusatzversicherung).

Statutory health insurance is Germany's most common form of healthcare and covers around 90% of the population. Everyone who works and earns less than a certain amount per year must be enrolled in statutory health insurance, though travelers may have to pay additional fees. Statutory health insurance covers basic medical expenses such as doctor’s visits, hospital stays, medications, and certain types of preventative care.

Private health insurance is an option for those who earn more than the statutory limit and choose to supplement their coverage. Private insurance often offers more comprehensive coverage than public plans, but travelers may have to pay additional fees depending on their chosen plan.

Complementary health insurance is also available for travelers who want to cover additional treatments, such as alternative therapies or homeopathic remedies. It is important to note that complementary health insurance does not replace regular health insurance, but rather supplements it. 

It may not be a requirement to get travel insurancecoverage, but we highly advised that one should get sufficient coverage when traveling abroad.

At Allianz Travel, we offer Single Travel Insurance with varying degrees of coverage, including optional Covid-19 related coverage. Be sure to check our multiple insurance packages to see which suits you the most.