When working or living in Germany, health insurance is mandatory — but it's not the only cover you need. This guide explains Privathaftpflicht (personal liability) and Hausrat (household contents) for people from the Middle East, Pakistan and Turkey.
If you accidentally damage someone else's property or injure a person while living in Germany, you are personally responsible for all costs — which can run into hundreds of thousands of euros. Privathaftpflicht covers you. Germans consider it the single most important insurance to have.
If you knock someone off their bike or scratch a parked car with yours, Haftpflicht pays for the damage and any injury claims.
Left a tap running and flooded the flat below? Your liability insurance covers the cost of your neighbour's damaged belongings and repairs.
Dropped a friend's phone or broke something borrowed? Most policies cover accidental damage to items belonging to others.
If you own a dog and it bites someone or causes property damage, dog liability insurance (Hundehaftpflicht) is often bundled or available as an add-on.
Accidentally injure someone while playing football or running? Haftpflicht covers third-party bodily injury during everyday activities.
Caused damage to your rented apartment — a broken window, a burnt carpet, a cracked wall? Your liability policy often covers this too.
| Situation | Covered? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Damage you cause to your own belongings | ✗ No | Hausrat insurance covers your own items |
| Intentional damage | ✗ No | Only accidents are covered |
| Car accidents (as driver) | ✗ No | Requires separate Kfz-Haftpflicht |
| Work-related incidents | ✗ No | Covered by employer's insurance |
| Damage to items you borrowed | ⚠ Depends | Check your specific policy |
| Accidents abroad in Europe | ✓ Yes | Most policies include EU coverage |
Important for renters: Many landlords in Germany now ask for proof of Privathaftpflicht as part of the rental application. Having it before you move is a strong advantage when moving to Germany and looking for an apartment.
Good for expats: Most Privathaftpflicht policies can be signed up for online within minutes, in English. Providers like FRIDAY, Feather, and Getsafe all offer English-language liability insurance tailored to expats living in Germany.
Hausrat covers everything you own inside your home — furniture, electronics, clothing, jewellery, musical instruments — against theft, fire, storm, flooding and vandalism. If your apartment is burgled while you're visiting family back home, Hausrat pays to replace what was stolen.
Sofa, TV, gaming console, bookshelves, carpets, decorations — all covered against theft and damage from fire or flooding.
Laptops, smartphones, tablets, headphones, cameras — high-value electronics are one of the main reasons people claim on Hausrat.
Your wardrobe, shoes, and jewellery are covered if stolen. Expensive jewellery may need to be listed separately for full cover.
Fridge, washing machine, microwave, dishwasher — large appliances you own are covered if destroyed by a covered event like fire.
Beds, wardrobes, bedding and mattresses. Particularly important if you've invested in high-quality furniture since arriving in Germany.
Textbooks, study materials, and academic equipment. For international students moving to Germany, this is a valuable cover.
| Event | Covered? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Burglary / break-in at home | ✓ Yes | Core cover in all Hausrat policies |
| Fire, smoke, explosion | ✓ Yes | Includes neighbour's fire spreading to your flat |
| Storm (min. Force 8) and hail | ✓ Yes | Standard in all policies |
| Water damage from burst pipes | ✓ Yes | Tap water damage — not flooding from outside |
| Street theft (bag snatching) | ⚠ Depends | Only if "Außenversicherung" option is included |
| Natural flooding / earthquakes | ✗ No | Requires separate "Elementarschutz" add-on |
| Deliberate self-damage | ✗ No | Insurance never covers intentional acts |
How much cover do you need? A good rule of thumb is €650–€700 per square metre of living space. For a 50m² apartment, that's around €32,500 in cover — costing roughly €80–100 per year.
Bicycle theft: Germany has very high rates of bicycle theft. If you own a bike worth over €500, it's worth choosing a Hausrat policy that explicitly includes bicycle cover (Fahrraddiebstahl), usually as a small add-on.
Here is a quick overview of both to help you decide what you need when moving to Germany.
International student? You also need a blocked account (Sperrkonto) for your student visa — but that is a separate financial requirement, not an insurance. See our dedicated guide.
Every person living and working in Germany needs statutory health insurance. Sign up with DAK-Gesundheit online in under 5 minutes — and get instant confirmation for your visa or residence permit.
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