Health insurance in Germany is mandatory for everyone — including expats and foreign nationals — from day one. Every resident must choose one of two systems:
- ≈14.6 % of your salary
- Family insured for free
- Available to all employees
- Fixed premium by age and coverage
- Direct specialist access
- Income ≥ €77,400 or self-employed
Public vs private health insurance in Germany
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Answer 4 quick questions. We'll show your exact public health insurance (GKV) cost and a realistic private health insurance estimate side by side — based on 2026 rates.
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Your health insurance options in Germany
When you arrive in Germany, you'll need health insurance from day one. Most foreigners and expats start on public health insurance (GKV) by default, but depending on your income and situation, private health insurance may be significantly cheaper and better. Here's how to tell the difference.
Public health insurance in Germany (GKV)
Public health insurance (GKV, Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) covers around 90% of people in Germany. Most employees are enrolled automatically when they start a job. Your contribution is a fixed percentage of your gross salary — in 2026, the combined rate with TK is around 20.9%, split equally between you and your employer. At €55,000/year your share is roughly €479/month. Contributions are capped once you earn above €69,750/year.
Key benefit: your spouse and children are covered for free if they have no income. Key limitation: no direct access to specialists, limited dental, no private hospital room.
Full guide: Public health insurance in Germany (GKV) →
Private health insurance in Germany
Private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung) is available to employees earning above €77,400/year in 2026, and to all self-employed and freelancers regardless of income. Unlike GKV, your premium is based on your age and health at sign-up — not your salary. The earlier you join, the cheaper your premium for life.
Private health insurance includes direct specialist access, private hospital rooms, and comprehensive dental. Downside: no free family coverage — each family member needs their own policy.
Full guide: Private health insurance in Germany →
Just arrived in Germany?
If you've just moved to Germany without a job lined up, you can't join GKV or sign up for private health insurance yet. You need a bridge policy — short-term expat insurance (€50–150/month) covers emergency and routine care, is accepted for visa applications, and holds you over until you're employed or registered as self-employed. Popular options: Feather, Expatrio, Care Concept.
EU citizens: your EHIC card only covers emergencies in Germany — not routine care. Don't rely on it as your main coverage once you're a resident.
Health insurance for students in Germany
If you're enrolled at a German university, valid health insurance is mandatory before you can register for your course. Which option applies depends mainly on your age:
- Under 30 (or before your 14th semester): you join public student insurance (studentische Krankenversicherung) at a fixed rate of roughly €125/month in 2026, including long-term care. This is by far the most common route and the cheapest.
- Over 30, or beyond the 14th semester: you no longer qualify for the student rate and must take out voluntary public (more expensive) or private insurance. PhD candidates and many long-term language-course students fall here.
- EU/EEA students: a valid EHIC from your home country can cover you, so you can apply for exemption from German student insurance — but plan for a German policy if you stay long-term.
- Non-EU students: you'll need German public student insurance (or an accepted private/expat plan) both to enrol and for your visa.
You can opt out (Befreiung) of public student insurance to go private, but that choice is binding for your entire studies — so weigh it carefully before signing.
Detailed guides by topic
Each guide below covers one topic in full — costs, comparisons, and step-by-step advice.
Is private health insurance worth it in Germany?
| Your situation | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Employee, salary < €77,400 | GKV | Private health insurance not available |
| Employee, salary ≥ €77,400, age < 40 | Private health insurance | Significant savings + better coverage |
| Employee, salary ≥ €77,400, age > 45 | Depends | Get a comparison, savings shrink with age |
| Self-employed, good health | Private health insurance | GKV costs €900–1,300/month self-employed |
| Just arrived, no job yet | Expat insurance | Bridge until you have employment |
| Family with kids, salary < €100k | GKV | Free family coverage is a major advantage |
How to get health insurance in Germany
If you're joining GKV as an employee
- Choose a provider: TK, Barmer, or AOK are all solid. Go to their website and fill in the application (TK has an English version).
- Receive your membership confirmation: the insurer sends you a letter within a few days.
- Give it to your employer: they handle the rest. Your first contribution is deducted directly from your paycheck.
- Receive your insurance card (Gesundheitskarte): arrives by post within 2–3 weeks.
If you're switching from public to private health insurance
- Check eligibility: confirm you've been above €77,400 for 12+ consecutive months (employees) or that you're self-employed.
- Get quotes: use an independent broker to compare 3–5 providers side by side. Do not go direct; premiums are identical and you get no advice.
- Complete the health questionnaire: be honest. Omitting pre-existing conditions can void your policy later.
- Sign the private health insurance contract: coverage typically starts the following month.
- Cancel your GKV: you need to give 2 months' notice. Your GKV cannot refuse the cancellation once you have a private health insurance confirmation.
If you're self-employed and new to Germany
- Register your business (Gewerbeanmeldung or Freiberufler registration at the tax office).
- Get private health insurance quotes, you qualify immediately, no waiting period.
- Or join GKV voluntarily, you'll pay the full 14.6%+ yourself (~€900–1,300/month). Most freelancers choose private health insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Get a free comparison
The German health insurance market has over 40 private insurers with hundreds of plan combinations. Comparing them yourself takes weeks and requires understanding complex German contracts.
The smarter move: work with a specialist who is not tied to any single insurer, who advises in English, and who can tell you within 15 minutes whether private health insurance makes sense for your situation.