I will be coming to Berlin later this year for a six month contract (possibly longer if things work out) and I am trying to sort out as much as possible in advance. I've been told I will need health insurance but don't know if it's best to get one in Germany or find an insurer here which will cover me for the duration I'm in Berlin. Is there a minimum term that German insurers will insure for? Anyone else with similar experience?

Hi

I am here as a student on a temporary basis and just have my UK health card - surely that's enough to cover you for your time here?

Get a European Health Insurance Card from the NHS and you're covered for the first three months. Then it looks like you can be covered working abroad for up to five years if you continue to pay UK taxes. If you find out about this please let me know!
After 3 months we've been paying BUPA by the month since we don't know exactly what are status here is going to be. So, if fact, you don't need to do anything ahead of time except get the card. (I believe you can apply for it online and it comes in only a few days). That gives you 3 months to check out the German health insurance options when you get here.
CheersTina

If you're an EU resident then get the EHIC in the place where you are resident, as suggested. Otherwise, if non-EU, your best bet is to shop around for the best priced international insurance that you can get locally where you are now. Or, another easy option is to contact one of the international insurers operating in Germany. English speaking ones are listed here: http://berlin.angloinfo.com/af/423/berlin-health-and-medical-insurance.html

I have a European Health card but wondered if you have to pay up front for any treatment. I've never used it in Germany - only once on holiday in France and I had to pay the cost of the consultation and the prescription fee which I then claimed back. Does anyone know if this is also the case in Germany?

HI, you should find the answers to that here: http://berlin.angloinfo.com/countries/germany/healthcard.asp
Particularly this bit near the bottom of the page:Claiming in Germany with a card issued elsewhere

A card cannot be used for medical care within Germany unless it has been issued from another country.

Doctors and dentists: Patients will pay a small amount towards the cost of the consultationPrescriptions: Patients pay approximately ten percent towards the cost of the medicinesHospital treatment: Patients pay approximately ten percent towards the cost of hospital treatment

for better price, try to get a health insurance from your country.

Claudio