German Health Insurance —
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Employees earning above the Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze (JAEG) of 77,400 EUR gross per year in 2026 can switch to PKV. Freelancers and self-employed professionals can join PKV regardless of income. EU citizens, non-EU visa holders, and other expats working in Germany are all eligible if they meet these criteria.

For healthy young professionals in their late 20s, PKV premiums typically range from 300 to 400 EUR per month, depending on the plan and provider. Your exact premium depends on your age at entry, health status, and chosen coverage level.

Yes. If you are employed, your employer contributes toward both your private health insurance (PKV) and your private care insurance (PPV). The PKV subsidy is capped at 508.59 EUR per month, and the PPV subsidy at 104.63 EUR per month, giving a combined maximum employer contribution of 613.22 EUR per month in 2026. This is the equivalent of what your employer would pay toward public insurance (GKV), so there is no financial disadvantage for them.

The BBG is the income ceiling used to calculate public health insurance contributions. In 2026 the BBG is 69,750 EUR gross per year. Any income above this threshold does not increase your GKV premium, which is one reason high earners often find PKV more attractive.

Yes, all of it. The first call, the full market comparison, the application and paperwork, and every question in the years after you sign. As independent brokers (Versicherungsmakler), we are paid by the insurer you eventually choose, and German insurers charge the same premium with or without a broker, so your price does not change. If PKV is not the right fit for you, we will tell you honestly.

For employees, a return to GKV is only possible if your income drops below the JAEG threshold of 77,400 EUR in 2026. After age 55 it becomes practically impossible altogether: by then most long-term PKV members automatically meet the legal conditions that close the door: five years outside GKV, at least half of it self-employed or otherwise free of compulsory insurance. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of the German insurance system, which is exactly why getting independent advice upfront is so important.

GKV (statutory/public): Income-based contributions of roughly 17.5% split with your employer, free family coverage for non-working spouses and children, and standardised benefits. PKV (private): Risk-based premiums not linked to income, individual contracts per family member, generally faster specialist access, better hospital accommodation, and broader dental, vision, and alternative medicine coverage depending on tariff. PKV is not automatically better. The right choice depends entirely on your situation.

No. Unlike GKV, private insurance does not offer free family coverage. Every family member requires their own separate contract. Children's premiums typically range from 100 to 180 EUR per month per child. Your employer pays no contribution toward your children's or partner's premiums. This is an important cost factor to weigh before switching, especially for larger families with a non-working partner.

If you leave Germany, you can suspend your PKV contract for the duration of your absence, preserving your accumulated age reserves. Some tariffs offer international coverage extensions. When you return, your prior health status and accrued reserves stay intact. We advise reviewing your specific tariff before any extended absence.

There is no physical medical examination. PKV underwriting is based on a written health questionnaire covering pre-existing conditions, medications, and recent medical history. Pre-existing conditions may lead to risk surcharges, exclusions, or in some cases a declined application. We can run an anonymous risk pre-assessment across multiple insurers before you formally apply, protecting your record.

It depends heavily on your income, age, and health status. As a freelancer, you receive no employer subsidy and pay 100% of your premium. PKV is often more cost-effective than voluntary GKV for younger, healthy freelancers with higher incomes. The GKV minimum contribution for the self-employed is around 281 to 320 EUR per month even at low income levels. PKV can beat that for the right profile. We run the numbers for your specific situation.