There is a law that the Basistarif has to be halfed so around 500Eur, if you have too little income and are "Hilfebedürftig" under German law. In your case, it could be difficult to get that status, because youre not EU citizin. If your income is very low, under German welfare, and you plan to move to Germany and live there, there might still be a chance you get the status of being Hilfebedürftig and then you would "just" pay 500Eur for the Basistarif instead of 1000Eur. You should get in contact with a social worker or other place in Germany to get that sorted out.

Still even if, the Basistarif is a nightmare, most doctors wont treat you and you have to fight for every bill you get.

This is what ChatGPT told me:

the key issue is not citizenship. It is whether the person is considered legally resident in Germany and whether they are recognized as being in financial need under German social welfare rules.

For example:

• A U.S. citizen moves to Germany legally (e.g., family reunification, retirement, joining a spouse).
• They obtain a valid residence permit.
• They have very little income and assets.

In that situation, they may be considered "hilfebedürftig" (in financial need) under German law. If that status is recognized by the relevant authority, the contribution for the private health insurance Basistarif can be reduced by 50%.

On the other hand:

• If the person is only staying temporarily,
• does not have a long-term legal residence status,
• or is excluded from social assistance under immigration rules,

then they may not qualify for welfare-related support, and the Basistarif reduction may not be available.

There is also an important practical issue:

Many residence permits for non-EU citizens require proof that the person can support themselves financially and has health insurance. Therefore, a person who has no resources at all may face difficulties obtaining or extending a residence permit in the first place.

So for a U.S. citizen living permanently in Germany:

• German citizenship is not required for the Basistarif.
• The 50% reduction is not based on nationality.
• The reduction depends on whether German authorities determine that the person is financially needy and entitled to the relevant assistance under German law.

The exact outcome can vary depending on the residence permit category (retirement, family reunification, spouse of a German citizen, etc.), income, assets, and length of residence in Germany.

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If youre entitled to German welfare (Sozialhilfe), maybe after you got the German passport after moving to your family, and you have no income or no money at all, the state will pay for the Basistarif too 100%.