How to Call TK (Techniker Krankenkasse) From Abroad
8/19/2026
Quick answer: For general account and insurance questions, call TK's English-speaking line at +49 40 46 06 62 53 00, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm CET. For medical questions or emergencies while traveling, use the separate TK-ReiseTelefon at +49 40 46 06 61 91 20, staffed 24/7, but it's scoped to medical and travel situations only, not general account questions. TK's domestic toll-free line (commonly published as 0800 285 85 85) won't connect from outside Germany either way.
Why your usual TK number stops working abroad
TK's everyday customer service line is a free 0800 number, and like all German toll-free numbers, it only routes within the country's own phone networks. Once you're on a foreign SIM, it simply won't connect. TK publishes two separate alternatives instead of one, and which one you need depends on what you're calling about.
The verified numbers
| Line | Number | Scope | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| English-speaking customer service | +49 40 46 06 62 53 00 | General account, insurance, and billing questions | Mon-Fri 8am-6pm CET |
| TK-ReiseTelefon (travel line) | +49 40 46 06 61 91 20 | Medical questions and emergencies while traveling, not general account questions | 24/7, 365 days |
| Domestic service hotline | 0800 285 85 85 | General questions | Toll-free within Germany, does not work from abroad |
Sources: TK's official contact page and TK's travel emergency page.
Don't confuse the two lines
The ReiseTelefon looks tempting because it's staffed around the clock, but TK is explicit that it's for medical questions and emergencies while traveling, things like finding a German- or English-speaking doctor nearby, or getting help contacting your home GP. It's not meant for routine account questions like billing, coverage details, or paperwork. For those, the English-speaking line is the right one, even though its hours are more limited.
What to have ready before you call
- Your Versichertennummer (insurance number), found on your TK insurance card
- Your date of birth, used for identity verification
- The specific document, invoice, or claim reference your question relates to
Best time to call
The English-speaking line runs Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm CET.
- UK: Germany is 1 hour ahead, so hours line up closely with your own.
- US East Coast: Germany is 6 hours ahead, so call in your morning to catch their afternoon.
- UAE/Gulf: Germany is 2 to 3 hours behind, so call in your evening.
The cheaper way to actually make the call
Insurance calls tend to involve identity checks and some back-and-forth on paperwork, and roaming rates to Germany can run well over £/$1 per minute. With DialVia, you call the real TK number over Wi-Fi from your browser instead:
- Open DialVia and sign up (about 30 seconds)
- Select Germany as the destination
- Enter the number: 40 46 06 62 53 00
- Hit call
Frequently asked questions
What's TK's number for calling from abroad? +49 40 46 06 62 53 00 for general account questions, English-speaking, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm CET.
What's the difference between the English line and the ReiseTelefon? The English line handles general account and insurance questions during business hours. The ReiseTelefon (+49 40 46 06 61 91 20) is a 24/7 line, but only for medical questions and emergencies while traveling.
Is TK's domestic hotline free from abroad? No. 0800 285 85 85 is toll-free only within Germany and won't connect once you're on a foreign network.
Can I get medical advice from TK while traveling? Yes, through the TK-ReiseTelefon, which can help find a doctor near you or contact your home GP, available around the clock.
Need another German health insurer's number? See the full guide to calling German health insurance providers from abroad, covering AOK and Barmer too.
👉 Try DialVia to call from your browser in 30 seconds. Didn't connect? You don't pay. Or return to the DialVia homepage to learn more.