§ Health insurance · Updated: 22 July 2026 · Published by: KEY-FI · 6 min read
Private health insurance in Germany: a practical PKV guide
Understand who can consider private health insurance in Germany, how PKV differs from GKV, and which long-term questions matter before switching.
Private health insurance in Germany, usually called PKV, is an alternative to statutory health insurance for people who meet the eligibility rules. The decision is about more than the first monthly contribution: benefits, medical underwriting, family cover, future income and the route back to statutory insurance all need to be considered together.
PKV and GKV at a glance
| Question | Statutory insurance (GKV) | Private insurance (PKV) |
|---|---|---|
| How is the contribution set? | Mainly by assessable income, within statutory rules | By tariff, age at entry, benefits and medical assessment |
| How are family members covered? | Non-earning dependants may qualify for family insurance | Each person normally needs their own contract |
| What defines the benefits? | Statutory framework and fund-specific extras | The benefits agreed in the tariff and policy terms |
| What happens when circumstances change? | Contribution follows the statutory system | Tariff, income and long-term affordability must be reviewed |
The Federal Ministry of Health explains the basic relationship between private and statutory health insurance. Eligibility and thresholds can change, so current rules should be checked when you are ready to decide.
Who can consider PKV?
Depending on their situation, self-employed people, civil servants and employees above the applicable compulsory-insurance threshold may be able to apply. Eligibility does not mean that PKV is automatically the better choice. A household with children, a planned reduction in working hours or uncertain self-employed income may reach a different conclusion from a single person with stable income.
What should be compared?
Start with the benefits that would actually matter: outpatient treatment, hospital care, dental cover, psychotherapy, aids and rehabilitation. Then check deductibles, reimbursement rules, tariff options and how the contribution would fit the budget over time.
Health questions must be answered completely and accurately. If records are unclear, obtain the relevant information before applying instead of guessing.
How does a switch proceed?
- Confirm that you are eligible to leave the statutory system.
- Define the benefits you need and the monthly contribution you can sustain.
- Prepare your medical history carefully before any formal application.
- Compare complete tariff terms, not only the first contribution.
- Cancel existing cover only when the new protection and start date are confirmed.
What does PKV cost?
There is no single price that applies to everyone. The contribution depends on the chosen benefits, age at entry, deductible and medical assessment. A low initial figure says little unless the tariff terms and long-term household budget are reviewed as well.
Use the English PKV page to request a callback without entering diagnoses or treatment details in the form.
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