Rachel Carson Center for Environment and Society
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What kind of insurance do I need to organize? Is anything included in my fellowship?

In Germany, social security covers health insurance, pension schemes, unemployment benefits, and nursing care insurance. It is usually mandatory for everyone who lives and works in Germany.

Fellowships at the RCC are exempt from compulsory social security payments in Germany with the exception of health insurance, which fellows must have and organize themselves; the fellowship does not include any social benefits. Therefore, it is very important that fellows maintain their legal, social, and professional position/status in their home country. Fellows are also not entitled to any social security benefits in Germany (pension, unemployment, payments for children ''Kindergeld,'' etc.) as they do not make contributions to this system. 

Fellowships are usally exempt from taxation, as the RCC fellowship stipend is usually tax-free in Germany. Fellows should find out whether a fellowship paid in Germany is subject to taxation in their own country.