The term “Pflichtversicherung” translates to “compulsory insurance” in English.
What is “Pflichtversicherung”?
“Pflichtversicherung” refers to insurance that individuals are legally required to have in Germany. This type of insurance is designed to protect individuals against certain risks and is a cornerstone of the German social security system. Relevant to Berlin and Germany as a whole, “Pflichtversicherung” includes various types of social insurance such as health insurance (“gesetzliche Krankenversicherung”) and nursing care insurance (“Pflegeversicherung”), among others[1][2][3].
More information about “Pflichtversicherung”
The concept of “Pflichtversicherung” was first introduced in Germany in 1883 by Otto von Bismarck, marking the beginning of the country’s social insurance system[1]. In the context of health insurance, for example, all employees earning below a certain income threshold are mandatorily enrolled in the statutory health insurance scheme, while those earning above this threshold can choose between statutory and private health insurance[2][3].
Related to “Pflichtversicherung”
Here are some additional terms that are related to “Pflichtversicherung”:
- Sozialversicherung: The social insurance system in Germany, which includes health, pension, unemployment, and accident insurance[13].
- Gesetzliche KrankenversicherungThe "gesetzliche Krankenversicherung" translates to "statutory health insurance" in English. It is a fundamental part of Germany's healthcare system, providing... More (GKV): The statutory health insurance system that operates based on the principle of solidarity among its members[7].
- Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze (JAEG): The income threshold that determines whether an employee is compulsorily insured or can opt for private health insurance[2][3].
- Künstlersozialversicherung (KSV): A special social insurance for artists and publicists, which functions similarly to the statutory health insurance[20].
Compulsory insurance is an integral part of the social security network in Germany, ensuring that all residents have basic coverage against life’s major risks.