Provider
Genki Native Review
Our assessment of the international health insurance from the German insurtech startup
Genki is a German insurtech startup that offers international health insurance specifically designed for digital nomads, remote workers, and long-term travelers. With the Genki Native product, there are two plan levels – Basic and Premium – providing worldwide coverage. We've reviewed this Genki health insurance in depth and evaluate the benefits, service, and value for money from a broker's perspective.
Genki Health Insurance: The Provider at a Glance
Genki is a health-tech startup based in Cologne, Germany, focused on healthcare for frequent travelers and remote workers. The company acts as an insurance agent and policyholder – the actual insurance coverage is provided by Squarelife Insurance AG from Liechtenstein.
Access to the insurance is through the association Nomads for Impact e.V., a mission-driven organization based in Germany. When you sign up, you automatically become a passive member – at no additional cost. For emergencies and hospital stays, MCI Assist (Madrid) is available as a 24/7 assistance partner.
Good to know: Genki is not an insurer but an insurance agent. The actual insurance is provided by Squarelife Insurance AG from Liechtenstein. In practice, this means: customer service runs through Genki, reimbursements and contract matters through Squarelife, and hospital admissions through MCI Assist.
The Product: Genki Native
Genki Native is an international health insurance (group insurance) with two plan levels. Unlike modular providers such as APRIL International, there is no pick-and-choose system – you select one of two plans and the coverage scope is fixed.
The Two Plan Levels
| Plan | Annual Coverage Limit | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Genki Native Basic | €1,000,000 | Outpatient + inpatient, solid essential coverage |
| Genki Native Premium | Unlimited | Full coverage incl. dental, vision, mental health, maternity |
The Basic plan does not cover dental treatment, vision care, outpatient mental health, maternity, preventive care, or alternative medicine. If you need these benefits, you must choose the Premium plan.
Deductible Options
You can choose from three deductible levels:
- €0 (full reimbursement)
- €500 per insurance year
- €1,000 per insurance year
The deductible applies to all covered costs except hospitalization – hospital stays are always covered without any deductible.
Coverage Area and Pricing
Genki does not use a zone system. The premium is primarily based on your age at the start date and your chosen region. There are two regions:
- Worldwide (excluding Canada & USA): Full coverage everywhere, but in Canada/USA only 28 days of emergency cover
- Worldwide (including Canada & USA half-year): Full coverage everywhere, in Canada/USA up to 182 days of full coverage
Coverage by Country
| Region | Basic | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| All countries (excl. country of nationality, CA, USA) | Full coverage | Full coverage |
| Country of nationality (excl. CA, USA) | 182 days full coverage | Full coverage |
| Canada & USA (region excl. CA/USA) | 28 days emergency only | 28 days emergency only |
| Canada & USA (region incl. CA/USA) | 182 days full coverage | 182 days full coverage |
| Max. coverage Canada & USA | €250,000/year | €500,000/year |
Important about coverage in your country of nationality: With the Basic plan, you're only covered in your country of nationality for 182 days per stay. The Premium plan has no such restriction. "Country of nationality" means any country where you hold citizenship – not necessarily where you live. For Canada/USA, you must have been outside the country for at least 91 consecutive days before the 182-day coverage kicks in.
Price Examples
Example: 30 years old, no deductible
| Plan | Monthly Premium | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Genki Native Basic | from €189 | Outpatient + inpatient |
| Genki Native Premium | from €273 | Full coverage |
Note: Prices depend on age and chosen region. Premiums may change annually but remain stable within the insurance period.
Calculate Your Genki Native Quote
Calculate your individual premium directly at Genki – in just a few clicks
Coverage Details
General Medical Care
Both plans provide comprehensive medical coverage:
| Benefit | Basic / Premium |
|---|---|
| Doctor visits (outpatient + inpatient) | Both plans: ✓ |
| Examinations (CT, MRI, ECG, etc.) | Both plans: ✓ |
| Surgeries (minor to major) | Both plans: ✓ |
| Medication (prescription) | Both plans: ✓ |
| Chronic conditions | Both plans: ✓ |
| Cancer treatment (chemo, radiation) | Both plans: ✓ |
| Organ transplants | Both plans: ✓ |
| Free choice of doctors & hospitals | Both plans: ✓ |
Inpatient Treatment
| Benefit | Basic | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital room | Shared room | Single room |
| Direct billing with hospital | ✓ | ✓ |
| 24/7 emergency hotline (MCI Assist) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Home nursing care | – | ✓ (prior approval) |
Rehabilitation
| Benefit | Basic | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Max. days/year | 20 days | 30 days |
| Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation | ✓ | ✓ |
Preventive Care (Premium only)
| Benefit | Basic | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Max. coverage/year | – | €250/year |
| General checkups | – | ✓ |
| Vaccinations (hepatitis, malaria, tetanus, etc.) | – | ✓ |
| Screenings (cancer, colonoscopy, Pap test) | – | ✓ |
Dental (Premium only)
| Benefit | Basic | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Max. coverage/year | – | €2,000/year |
| Checkups, fillings, extractions | – | ✓ |
| Professional cleaning | – | ✓ (max. €200/year) |
| Bridges, crowns, dentures, inlays, onlays | – | ✓ (12-month waiting period) |
| Implants | – | – |
| Orthodontics | – | – |
The 12-month waiting period for crowns, bridges, and dentures is waived if treatment is needed as a result of an accident (proven by a doctor or police report).
Vision (Premium only)
| Benefit | Basic | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic eye examinations | ✓ | ✓ |
| Frames, lenses, contact lenses | – | ✓ (max. €250/year; 6-month waiting period) |
| Laser eye surgery | – | – |
Mental Health
| Benefit | Basic | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting period | 6 months | 6 months |
| Inpatient psychiatry | ✓ | ✓ |
| Outpatient psychiatry | – | ✓ (prior approval) |
| Talk therapy / psychotherapy | – | ✓ (prior approval) |
| Therapy apps | – | ✓ (only if therapy is prescribed & covered) |
Maternity (Premium only)
| Benefit | Basic | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting period | – | 12 months |
| Prenatal checkups, ultrasound, first-trimester screening | – | ✓ |
| Midwives & obstetricians | – | ✓ |
| Childbirth (hospital, birthing center, or at home) | – | ✓ |
| Postnatal care & vaccinations | – | ✓ |
| Preparation courses & postnatal exercises | – | ✓ (max. €500 per pregnancy) |
| Complications (life-threatening) | ✓ (no waiting period) | ✓ (no waiting period) |
Alternative Medicine (Premium only)
| Benefit | Basic | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Max. coverage/year | – | €500/year |
| Acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy, massage, osteopathy | – | ✓ (prescribed or with prior approval) |
Sports & Activities
A true unique selling point of Genki Native: virtually all sports are covered in both plans – with no surcharge and no restrictions.
- Climbing – any kind, no altitude limit
- Diving – any kind and depth
- Skydiving, paragliding, base jumping – all covered
- Martial arts – any kind, including Muay Thai
- Skiing & snowboarding – any kind
- Surfing – any kind
- Motorcycle & scooter – helmet required for drivers, optional for passengers
- All other sports – as long as not professional
Only exception: Professional sports, meaning sports for which you receive regular compensation (salary, sponsorship, etc.), are not covered.
Reimbursement and Claims
How Reimbursement Works
- You pay for treatment and submit the receipt through the Member Center (you.genki.world)
- Genki states that reimbursements are processed within 3 business days
- For hospital stays, MCI Assist handles direct billing with the hospital – you don't need to pay upfront
Important for costs of €2,000 or more: You must submit an itemized cost estimate at least 5 days before starting treatment. Without a cost estimate, only 50% will be reimbursed.
Contact and Support
| Concern | Contact |
|---|---|
| General questions, contract changes | Genki: Member Center, chat, WhatsApp, email |
| Emergencies, hospital stays | MCI Assist: 24/7 hotline |
| Prior approval, reimbursement questions | Squarelife: email |
A nice touch: Genki offers WhatsApp support – often more practical than phone or email when you're abroad.
Customer Reviews
Trustpilot (as of February 2026)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | 4.0/5 stars |
| Number of reviews | 809 |
| 5 stars | 77% |
| 1 star | 14% |
| Response rate to negative reviews | approx. 92% |
What Customers Praise
- Fast reimbursement – sometimes within 24 hours
- Straightforward signup process, even while traveling
- Helpful support via WhatsApp and chat
- Flexible monthly cancellation (after minimum period)
What Customers Criticize
| Criticism | Details |
|---|---|
| Complex responsibilities | Genki, Squarelife, and MCI Assist – three contacts depending on the issue |
| Documentation requirements | Strict proof requirements can delay reimbursement |
| Premium adjustments | Some reports of premium increases at renewal |
| Entry age | Maximum 55 years – below the industry average of 65 |
Our Genki Native Assessment
| Category | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 7.5 / 10 | Premium offers comprehensive protection. Basic is very lean – no dental, vision, or mental health. All sports covered is a clear plus. |
| Claims Service | 7.5 / 10 | Fast reimbursement and direct billing for hospital stays. But three different contacts (Genki/Squarelife/MCI Assist) can be confusing. |
| Customer Service | 7.5 / 10 | WhatsApp support is practical, Member Center is functional. Split responsibilities sometimes make things cumbersome. |
| Value for Money | 8 / 10 | Simple, transparent pricing without zone system. Fairly priced for the digital nomad target audience. |
Pre-existing Conditions
An important advantage: Genki Native can cover pre-existing conditions. A medical evaluation is conducted during signup. Whether and to what extent pre-existing conditions are covered is recorded individually on your Certificate of Insurance.
Requirement: All health questions during signup must be answered completely, accurately, and truthfully. False information can result in loss of insurance coverage.
Who is Genki Native Suitable For?
- Digital nomads & remote workers – the product was built specifically for this lifestyle, with WhatsApp support and simple online management
- Adventure-loving travelers – virtually all sports covered, from diving to base jumping to martial arts
- Long-term travelers under 55 – easy signup, monthly cancellation after the first year
- Expats with pre-existing conditions – individual assessment rather than blanket exclusion
- Families abroad (Premium) – maternity, babysitting, and parent bed included
Our tip: The Premium plan is worthwhile for most policyholders, as it covers dental, vision, mental health, and maternity. The Basic plan suits young, healthy travelers who primarily want solid coverage for emergencies and serious illness.
What Sets Genki Apart from Other Providers?
Genki's Strengths
- All sports covered – including base jumping, diving without depth limit, martial arts. Very few providers offer this
- Simple structure – two plans, three deductible levels, no complex modular system
- Pre-existing conditions possible – individual assessment rather than blanket exclusion
- WhatsApp support – fast and convenient, ideal for travelers
- Monthly cancellation – after the minimum period of one year
- No deductible for hospital stays – even with a chosen deductible, hospitalization is fully covered
Where Other Providers May Be Stronger
| Area | Genki | Market Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Plan variety | 2 plans | APRIL offers 5 plan levels + modular add-ons |
| Canada/USA | Max. 182 days, capped | Other providers with full US coverage without time limits |
| Dental (Basic) | Not included | Some providers include basic dental |
| Entry age | Up to 55 | Industry standard is 65+ |
| Single room (Basic) | Shared room | Some providers offer single rooms in basic plans |
| Telemedicine | No own solution | APRIL offers Teladoc Health 24/7 included |
Which provider is right for you? It depends on your situation – location, budget, desired coverage. Use our quote calculator for an initial comparison or get personalized advice.
Is Genki Native Right for You?
We'll create a personalized comparison for you – free and without obligation
This article is based on the Genki Native Insurance Conditions (July 2025), IPID, Table of Benefits, and our experience as an independent insurance broker. For current rates and personalized advice, please contact us.
