In Germany, health insurance is mandatory for all residents and operates primarily under a public solidarity model. This system ensures that everyone contributes based on their income and receives medical care regardless of health status or pre-existing conditions. Most employees, including university staff, are covered by statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung), with contributions automatically deducted from their salary—typically split between employer and employee. Coverage is largely standardized across providers and includes doctor visits, hospital care, and prescriptions. Major public providers include Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse (AOK), Barmer, and Deutsche Angestellten Krankenkasse (DAK), among others. Individuals earning above a certain annual income threshold (as of 2025, around €69,300 gross per year) may choose to opt out of the public system and instead take out private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung), which often offers more personalized services but can be costlier and age- or risk-based. Choosing between the two systems depends on your income, employment type, and long-term plans in Germany.