PKV Knowledge Base

Expert guides on German private health insurance for English-speaking expats, freelancers, and professionals.

203
Articles
12
Topics
2026
Updated
PKV Guide
Moving House Within Germany: What It Means for Your PKV

What moving house within Germany means for private health insurance — the admin to update, why the premium usually stays the same, and the regional factor that can change it.

Providers
Landeskrankenhilfe (LKH) PKV: A Traditional Mutual Reviewed

A review of Landeskrankenhilfe (LKH) private health insurance — a traditional mutual with civil-servant roots, its stability and service reputation, and who it suits.

Coverage
Private Health Insurance for People with Disabilities

How private health insurance treats people with disabilities — underwriting and surcharges, the guaranteed-acceptance safety nets, and the routes that protect access.

Eligibility
Health Insurance for Landlords and Investors Living Off Unearned Income

How health insurance works for people living off rental or investment income in Germany — the status question, how GKV and PKV treat unearned income, and where private cover fits.

Coverage
PKV, Rare Diseases and Off-Label Drugs: How Cover Is Decided

How private health insurance in Germany handles rare diseases and off-label drug use — the medical-necessity and evidence tests, and how to secure cover in advance.

Eligibility
PKV for Management Consultants and Interim Professionals

How private health insurance suits management consultants and interim professionals — eligibility through high income or self-employment, worldwide cover and income protection.

Family
Why PKV Has No Family Insurance (And What That Means for You)

Why private health insurance has no equivalent of statutory family insurance, why each family member needs an individual policy, and how it changes the cost calculation.

Providers
Alte Oldenburger PKV: A Focused Health Specialist Reviewed

A review of Alte Oldenburger private health insurance — a smaller health-focused mutual, its service reputation, tariff approach and the member it suits.

Coverage
Cosmetic vs Reconstructive Surgery: Where PKV Draws the Line

How private health insurance distinguishes medically necessary (reconstructive) surgery from purely cosmetic procedures, the grey areas, and how to get cover confirmed.

Providers
Barmenia vs Gothaer: Health-Focused Insurer Meets Full-Line Group

A comparison of Barmenia and Gothaer private health insurance — health-focused depth versus full-line breadth, and the member each approach fits.

Eligibility
Health Insurance When You Are Part-Time Self-Employed (Nebenberuflich)

How health insurance works when you are part-time self-employed alongside a job — the hauptberuflich test that decides your status, and what it means for PKV.

Expats
Health Insurance for Posted Workers (Entsendung) in Germany

How health insurance works for posted workers (Entsendung) moving to or from Germany — the home-country principle, the A1 certificate, and where PKV fits.