German health insurance is based on two systems. Private health insurance is the second of those systems, and currently covers around 10% of the population, particularly those on higher incomes and the self-employed.
Private health insurance system (private Krankenversicherung - PKV)
Rather than opting for statutory health insurance, you are able to take out a private health insurance plan in certain circumstances. If you wish to take out private insurance and you are employed, you will need to let your employer know so that they don’t automatically register you with a statutory health insurance scheme. You can opt for private health insurance if any of the following apply to you:
- You earn more than 69.300 euros per year.
- You are a freelancer or run your own business.
- You are a civil servant.
- You are a foreign student (exceptions apply - see our page on Student health insurance for more details).
German private health insurance companies
These companies all offer private health insurance policies for expats in Germany:
- KLforExpats (highly-rated independent brokerage for expat professionals)
- Versicherungsbüro Weiss (English-speaking health insurance broker)
- Feather private health insurance (for high-wage earners or self-employed people; insurance provided by Hallesche)
- Expat Brokers (English-speaking broker Berlin/Frankfurt, expert for visas, freelancers, employed persons)
- Ottonova (full support in English | specially designed for expats | get up to 30€ Amazon voucher)
- Feather temporary health insurance (for incoming expats; insurance provided by Advigon)
- MW Expat (Private Health Insurance Broker in English Specialising in Expats)
- Getsafe (Public, private or special expat health plans - our experts cater to your needs)
Private health insurance comparison
There are around 40 private health insurance companies operating in Germany. If you'd like to shop around and compare private health insurance options, Quickity is an easy-to-use coverage comparison and price estimation tool. You get a comprehensive overview of various health insurance options to suit your budget and desired quality of coverage, with the option to further personalise your quote upon request.
International health insurance companies in Germany
The following companies all offer health insurance policies in Germany that are tailored to the needs of expats:
- Cigna
- GeoBlue (for US citizens)
- IMG Global Medical Insurance
What treatment is covered by private health insurance?
Private health insurance offers comprehensive coverage, usually giving you access to all areas of the German healthcare system, including visits to the doctor and specialists, health checks, treatment in hospital, dentistry, and prescriptions and medicines. It is also possible to tailor your plan to meet your needs by choosing optional extras (see below).
Private health insurance premiums
The amount you pay for your private health insurance depends on several factors, including:
- Your occupation
- Your age
- Your pre-existing medical conditions (you may have to submit to a medical examination)
- The healthcare plan you choose
- Your voluntary excess (Selbstbeteiligung - see below)
The average premium is around 400 - 700 euros per month (significantly less for students). If you are employed, approximately 50% of your contributions will be covered by your employer - up to a maximum of approximately 422 euros per month in 2024. If you are self-employed, you will have to cover the entire premium yourself.
Optional extras
You also have the option to purchase additional extras, according to the level of care you wish to be covered by your insurance plan. This might include:
- Additional dental care, such as professional tooth cleaning
- Private hospital rooms
- Consultant doctors
- Sickness benefit or child sickness benefit
- Direct access to specialists, rather than having to go through a family doctor
- Alternative medicine
- Fixed-rate premiums that won’t go up as you get older
- Reduced voluntary excess
Voluntary excess (Selbstbeteiligung)
You can also control the amount of voluntary excess you are willing to pay (i.e. the portion of your medical costs you must pay before your insurance company steps in). Having a higher voluntary excess brings your monthly premium down.
Family insurance
Although statutory health insurance schemes cover your family and kids at no extra cost, private health insurance is usually purchased on an individual basis. If you have a spouse or children you would like to cover as well, you should take this into consideration when deciding whether to opt for statutory or private health insurance.
Private health insurance for pensioners
If you are in receipt of a pension, but you do not qualify for statutory health insurance for pensioners, you can take out private health insurance for pensioners. If you have a statutory pension, you can apply to your pension fund for a contribution towards the costs of private health insurance.
Private health insurance card (Card für Privatversicherte)
Once you have registered with your private health insurance company, you will be sent a private health card (Card für Privatversicherte) in the post. You do not necessarily have to present this card to your doctor, hospital, dentist or pharmacy, but as it contains data about you and your health insurance cover, it will speed up appointments and insurance claims if you do have it with you. Depending on your insurer, you may have to pay upfront for your medical fees and prescriptions, and then apply for reimbursement later.
Changing your health insurance provider
Your private premiums are likely to go up over time. At some point, you may consider swapping to a different private health insurance provider that offers better rates.
If you want to change your health insurance provider, you need to give notice three months before the end of the year (i.e. by September 30, 2021, to change providers on January 1, 2022). An exception to this is if your health insurance premiums have gone up, in which case you can change providers within two months of being informed of the increase.
To cancel your policy and take out a new one, you need to write to your health insurance provider to inform them, before taking out a new policy.
Private health insurance tax deductions
To make tax savings, you can claim your private health insurance contributions as tax-deductible expenses in your annual income tax return.
Sickness benefit
If you are unable to work due to illness, your employer will usually cover your wages for up to six weeks. After that, sickness benefit is covered by your private health insurance provider. You can control the amount of sickness benefit you wish to receive per day, and how soon, after becoming unfit for work, you would like the payments to kick in.
Maternity benefit
If you are employed and covered by private health insurance, during your statutory maternity leave you are entitled to receive maternity benefit from the Federal Insurance Office.
Long-term care insurance
Since 1995, all private health insurance companies have been obligated to offer long-term care insurance as part of their package.
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