Around 90% of German residents have public health insurance (
Cost of public health insurance
The cost of public health insurance depends on your income. The contributions cost 14.6 to 15.6% of your income. The more money you make, the more expensive it gets. If you make more than 54 450€ per year (in 2019), the cost of contributions stops going up.
If you are an employee, you pay 7.3 to 8.3% of your income, and your employer pays the rest.
- If you make more than 54.450€ per year (in 2019), you will pay around 400€ per month. Even if your salary goes up, you won’t pay more than that. This is the maximum contribution (Höchstbeitrag). This amount changes every year.
- If you are unemployed or make less than 12.460€ per year, you will pay around 150€ per month. This is the minimum contribution (Mindestbeitrag). This amount changes every year. If your spouse or your parents have public health insurance, you can use their insurance for free.
- If you have a mini job, you still need health insurance. If your spouse or your parents have public health insurance, you can use their insurance for free. If not, it should cost around 150€ per month.
If you are a freelancer, you pay 14.6 to 15.6% of your income.
- If you make more than 54.450€ per year (in 2019), you will pay around 815€ per month. Even if your income goes up, you won’t pay more than that. This is the maximum amount for freelancers (Selbstständige Höchstbeitrag). It changes every year.
- If you make less than 12.460€ per year (in 2019), you will pay around 180€ per month. This is the minimum amount for freelancers (Selbstständige Mindestbeitrag) in 2019. It changes every year. If your spouse or your parents have public health insurance, you can use their insurance for free.
If you are a student under 30 years old, you will pay even less: around 90€ per month.
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Benefits of public health insurance
- It’s cheaper when you’re old: Health insurance is based on your income. It will be much cheaper than private insurance when you get older. When you retire, your insurance will become very cheap, because your salary will go down. If you are over 45 years old, public insurance is almost always the best option.
- It covers your dependents for free: Health insurance covers your children and your unemployed spouse. If your spouse only has a mini job, (s)he is covered by your insurance. If you plan to have children, public health insurance is a better choice.
- It matches your income: Public health insurance is cheaper when you make less money. If you lose your job or retire, public insurance will remain affordable. Private insurance will get more and more expensive, even if you become unemployed.
- It requires less paperwork: Public health insurance is simple. The doctors and the insurance companies talk directly to each other, so there is less paperwork to do. The price won’t change as you get older. When you go to the doctor, you just show your insurance card and you’re done. You don’t need to worry about price changes, coverage, refunds or deductibles. Private health insurance requires more paperwork.
Disadvantages of public health insurance
- It’s expensive for young professionals: Public insurance is based on your income, and private insurance is based on your health. If you are young, healthy and have a good income, the public will be much more expensive than private.
- You don’t get the best treatment: Doctors make a lot more money from private patients, so they often treat private patients first. With private insurance, you will get an appointment the next day, instead of in two weeks. It’s also very difficult to find a psychotherapist or urologist who accepts public health insurance.
- Special treatments are not included: If you want special treatments, you will need to pay the extra cost yourself. Private insurance lets you choose the quality of your coverage.
- It’s not available for everyone: If you are a freelancer who just moved to Germany, it’s really hard to get public health insurance. Public insurance companies are not forced to cover freelancers. Many freelancers are forced to choose private health insurance companies because of this.
Which public health insurance should I choose?
Public health insurance companies (Krankenkassen) have very similar prices and coverage. The biggest difference between companies is customer service.
- Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) is very popular among expats because it offers support in English. I have been with TK since I moved to Germany, and I am very satisfied.
- AOK is another very popular option. AOK is the largest community nevertheless. AOK has representatives and offices even in small cities and villages
What does a Public health insurance cover in Germany?
The medical benefits offered include in-patient (hospital) care as a ward patient with the doctor on duty at your nearest hospital, out-patient care with registered doctors (Kassenarzte) and basic dental care.
Please note that there is no coverage for private doctors or surgeons, a private room in the hospital, alternative/homoeopathic medical care, dental subsidies beyond the very basics, and vision products for adults or any medical benefits outside of Europe.
Your nonworking dependents living at your address in Germany are presently insured at no additional cost and simply need to be registered with the same Krankenkasse as yourself as the paying member.
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You can say, everything is covered except
- If your doctor prescribes you medicine, you have a small co-pay.
- A hospital stay has a small payment attached.
- OTC meds are generally self-pay, though they may also be prescribed in certain circumstances.
- Not dental work, not elective surgeries (no breast implants) and only a
part reimbursement for glasses.
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