Germany Private Health Insurance: Comprehensive Guide for Students

Germany offers a dual healthcare system, allowing individuals to choose between public and private health insurance. Private health insurance (PKV) provides more flexibility and often faster access to care but at a higher cost. It’s particularly suitable for high-income earners, self-employed individuals, and those seeking additional benefits and personalised coverage. Some of the top companies which provide this insurance include Allianz, AXA, HanseMerkur, DKV, HALLESCHE, and many others. To learn more, keep reading this blog post for detailed information.

Read more blogs on Study in Germany here!

Germany Private Health Insurance: Overview

Germany Private Health Insurance, also known as “Private Krankenversicherung”(PKV), is an alternative to the public or statutory health insurance system. This health insurance is available for people who are employed, which could include self-employed, civil servants, high-income earners, and specific professional groups. 

With the help of private health insurance, an individual gets to customise their policy as per their requirements and take the benefit of receiving shorter treatment waiting times. However, one must keep in mind that premium packages of private health insurance are generally higher than statutory health insurance contributions, and coverage for pre-existing conditions may vary.

Here is a quick overview of German private health insurance which will be quite helpful for you.

Also Read: Health Insurance for International Students in Germany

Germany Private Health Insurance: Eligibility

If you are looking to take the benefits of private health insurance in Germany, you must ensure that you belong to either of the following categories:

• Self-employed individuals: All those who are self-employed, have their own business or are freelancers can avail the benefits of private health insurance regardless of what their income is. (Exceptions apply to artists, publicists, and farmers).

• Civil servants: Also known as Beamter are covered under a special health plan, known as ‘the Beihilfe’ which covers 50% of most health care expenses. While the other half is compensated by private coverage.

• Students: All those students who are above 30 years of age or those enrolled in a preparatory or language course in Germany will also need private coverage.

• High-income earners: Finally, all those who surpass the income threshold (EUR 69,300 as of 2024) set up by the statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung or GKV) system can opt for private health insurance.

Also Read: TK German Health Insurance

How to Get German Private Health Insurance?

Availing of a private health insurance plan in Germany is easy, but one must note the following steps.

• Before choosing any health insurance, one should conduct thorough research by checking out some of the top private health insurance providers, including some of the well-known such as Dr Walter or Feather Insurance.  Upon finalising compare the coverage options, the benefits it offers and all the additional services. 

• Check the eligibility criteria for the private health insurance plan that you plan to choose. This will depend on the type of work you do; whether you are self-employed, freelance, a student or have your own business. 

• Once you see that you make it through their eligibility criteria, contact the insurance provider to request personalised quotes. This will only be possible after you provide accurate information such as age,  health history, desired coverage level, and other relevant details.

• Next, you will have to complete their application form and submit it with the required documentation such as identity and proof of income. 
• After this, the health insurance provider will ask you to undergo a health assessment which will involve filling out a medical questionnaire or undergoing an examination. This will help the provider assess any pre-existing conditions.

• If you make it through the exam and the application is approved, the health insurance provider will issue a policy detailing your coverage, the cost of it, and additional terms and conditions. Before signing any papers, you must review and understand the policy carefully.

What if Private Health Insurance Gets Rejected?

This is another common question which arises when planning to buy health insurance. Well, health insurance gets rejected only if there are any reasons. If it happens, here are the alternatives that you can look at:

• Look at another private health insurance provider which is not similar to the previous one. 

• You can even exclude some of the pre-existing benefits from your coverage. By doing so, you are choosing to forgo coverage for specific risks and obtain coverage for other aspects of your health. 

• You can also opt for inclusion in the basic tariff, which offers services equivalent to those provided by statutory health insurance

Can I Cancel My Private Health Insurance Anytime in Germany?

Cancelling private health insurance in Germany is not easy. If you wish to do so, there are some regulations which you must keep in mind:

• You cannot terminate your contract which you have agreed upon before that period expires.

• You can terminate your private health insurance contract at the end of each insurance year with a three-month notice period. 

• In the case of a premium price increase, one can terminate their insurance with a two-month notice period from the receipt of the change notification.

• If you move to a residence within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), your insurance coverage will continue. However, moving outside of this area usually results in the termination of your insurance.

To cancel your private health insurance, you must consult with your health provider to check out their policy as each has different rules and regulations.

Note: In Germany, health insurance is valid for a period of one-year period. The insurance period starts from the date you signed up.

Also Read: Study Medical Courses in Germany After 12th

Germany Private Health Insurance: Coverage

Private health insurance in Germany covers a range of options under its plan which are tailored to the needs and wants of the people. Here are some of the benefits which are covered under this insurance:

• Dental Care: Several private health insurance plans provide coverage for dental treatments and services which include routine check-ups, fillings, and other extensive dental procedures.

• Inpatient Care: Private health insurances mainly cover expenses for hospital stays, room costs, surgeries and other types of treatment and consultations. 

• Outpatient Care: Under this, the coverage plan includes visits to the doctor, specialists, and other treatments such as lab tests, X-rays, and medical procedures outside of a hospital.

• Eye Care: This type of health insurance also covers the cost of eye examinations, prescription glasses or contact lenses, and, sometimes even laser eye surgery.

• Medications: Finally, the private health insurance plan also includes covering the cost of prescribed medicines such as lab tests, X-rays, and medical procedures outside of a hospital.

Also Read: Medical Universities in Germany 

Cost of German Private Health Insurance

Private health insurance providers usually offer a low-cost, mid-range and premium health insurance plan. The excellent services offered are in the mid-range and premium plans. 

Take a look at the cost of German private health insurance which one can avail benefits of:

German Private Health Insurance Plan	Cost
Basic	EUR 350 to EUR 550 per month
Comfort	EUR 450 to EUR 700 per month
Premium	EUR 550 to EUR 900 per month

Take a look at this image which lists the cost of private health insurance in Germany.

Is Private Health Insurance Worth the Extra Cost?

Private health insurance is indeed more expensive than public health insurance as it offers several benefits like short waiting time for doctor visits, extensive coverage for elective procedures, and access to private hospitals and doctors. Private health insurance plans can indeed be more complex and require more paperwork than public health insurance, which may not be ideal for everyone. 

Ultimately, the decision of whether to get private health insurance is a personal one. It’s important to weigh the costs and benefits carefully and consider your individual needs and circumstances.

Also Read: PG in Germany after MBBS

Cheapest German Private Health Insurance

The cheapest German private health insurance can vary depending on several factors, including your age, health status, and the specific coverage you choose. Below are some of the cheapest German private health insurance which will be helpful for you.

Insurance	Cost	Length of Coverage	Travelers Age
Students up to 5 years max.	From EUR 24.50 per month	Min. 1 month to 5 years	12 to 40 years
Foreign guests, visitors and expatriates  max. 2 years(Schengen Visa)	EUR 30 per month (depends on age and insurance period)	1-day max to 2 years	0 to 74 years
Foreign guests, visitors and expatriates   (Long Termmin. 6 months to max. 5 years)	From EUR 58 per month (depends on age)	Min 6 months to max 5 years	0 to 74 years
Foreign guests, visitors and expatriates   (Long TermNo time limits)	Very competitive prices	Long-term, no time limitation	0 to 55 years

Also Read: Medical Assistant Salary In Germany 

Best Private Health Insurance Companies in Germany

Here is a list of some of the top private health insurance companies in Germany from which you can choose the best one as per your eligibility.

Allianz private health insurance	ARAG health insurance	ERGO health insurance
AXA health insurance	HanseMerkur health insurance	VRK Health Insurance Ltd

Fun Fact: Did you know that in some countries, private health insurance can offer luxury perks like concierge medical services, personal health coaches, and even access to exclusive health spas and wellness retreats?

How to Switch from Statutory Health Insurance to Private Health Insurance in Germany?

All those who become eligible for private health insurance in Germany can switch to a private provider. Here are the following conditions which apply to high-income workers depending on their situation:

• If you start a new job or switch employers and your starting salary exceeds the income threshold (EUR 69,300 as of 2024), you can obtain private insurance anytime. Keep in mind this applies only if the increased salary remains above the threshold for the next twelve months after starting the job.

• Secondly, if you receive a salary increase that puts you above the income threshold, you can switch to private insurance starting from 1 January of the following year. 

Can Statutory Health Insurance and Private Health Insurance be Combined?

It is possible to simultaneously have statutory health insurance and private health insurance in Germany. You have to make contributions to both insurance providers, though, if you have dual coverage. It’s crucial to remember that you can only get benefits from one insurance provider for any medical procedure or service after you present your health insurance card. 

Pros and Cons of Private Health Insurance in Germany

The dual framework of private health insurance (PHI) and statutory health insurance (SHI) defines the healthcare system in Germany. In Germany, private health insurance has the following benefits and drawbacks:

Take a look at this image below which enlists some of the pros and cons of having private health insurance in Germany. 

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