Health Insurance for Employees

Public Health Insurance (GKV)

Contribution Calculation:
The contribution to the public health insurance (GKV) depends on your gross income — in total, around 21% of your gross salary:
• 14.6% for health insurance
• an additional income-based contribution (average 2.5%, depending on the insurer)
• approx. 4% for long-term care insurance

Examples:
🔹 Family with one income of €6,500 → approx. €1,200/month
🔹 Couple, both earning €6,500 → approx. €2,400/month
🔹 Single earning €6,500 gross → approx. €1,200/month

💡 The employer pays 50%, you pay 50%.

Advantages:
➡️ Cost-effective for large families with one income (family members are co-insured at no extra cost)
➡️ No health check required
➡️ Affordable for people with lower income
➡️ Based on social solidarity – higher earners support those with lower income

Disadvantages:
➡️ The range of benefits is legally defined and cannot be customized
➡️ Longer waiting times for specialists
➡️ High out-of-pocket costs for services outside the standard coverage
➡️ Expensive for high-income earners

Contribution Calculation:
Premiums for private health insurance (PKV) depend on several individual factors such as age at entry, health condition, occupation, and chosen plan.

The contributions are highly personalized, but as a general tendency:
🔹 Entry age 25: €300–€700/month
🔹 Entry age 35: €450–€900/month
🔹 Entry age 45: €550–€1,300/month

💡 The employer pays 50%, you pay 50%.

Your entry age is crucial — premiums do not increase with age later on, as ageing reserves (Alterungsrückstellungen) are built into the premium from the beginning.

Advantages:
➡️ Access to high-quality medical care and free choice of doctors
➡️ Faster appointments and shorter waiting times
➡️ Flexible plan options, e.g. coverage for alternative practitioners
➡️ Often lower premiums than in the statutory system (GKV) for young professionals and high earners

Disadvantages:
➡️ Strict health assessment during the application process – older individuals or people with pre-existing conditions may be declined
➡️ No free family insurance – each family member requires an individual contract, making it more expensive for single-income families
➡️ Switching back to the statutory system (GKV) is only possible under specific conditions that trigger mandatory public insurance

Making the Right Choice: GKV or PKV

An overview of the main differences between the two systems:

Private Health Insurance (PKV)

The choice between statutory (GKV) and private health insurance (PKV) in Germany is complex and should not be based solely on premium differences. Your personal life situation, career plans, health condition, and long-term outlook all play a crucial role in finding the right solution.

Eligibility for private health insurance depends on your current health status, which is why an early entry is often essential.

A qualified, independent consultation is therefore indispensable to avoid costly mistakes and ensure a decision that fits your individual needs — both now and in the future.

Contact Form