PKV Knowledge Base

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

7
Articles
12
Topics
2026
Updated
PKV Guide
PKV Safety-Net Tariffs: Basistarif, Standardtarif and Notlagentarif

How the Basistarif, Standardtarif and Notlagentarif provide capped, guaranteed PKV cover for those who need a safety net.

PKV Guide
Waiting Periods in PKV: When Your Cover Actually Starts

How general and special waiting periods (Wartezeiten) work in PKV, where they apply, and how a medical exam can waive them.

PKV Guide
Switching Tariffs Within Your Insurer: The §204 VVG Right

How §204 VVG lets you move to a cheaper tariff with the same insurer, keep your full ageing reserve, and reduce your premium without re-underwriting.

PKV Guide
The PKV Health Check: How the Gesundheitsprüfung Works

What the PKV health assessment asks, why full honesty is critical, and how pre-existing conditions, surcharges and exclusions work.

PKV Guide
The Anwartschaft Explained: Pausing Your PKV Without Losing Benefits

How the Anwartschaftsversicherung preserves your PKV entry age, health status and ageing reserve while you pause cover — small vs large Anwartschaft compared.

PKV Guide
PKV vs GKV in 2026: The Complete Comparison

A complete 2026 comparison of private (PKV) and statutory (GKV) health insurance — costs, benefits, family cover and how to decide.

PKV Guide
How to Switch from GKV to PKV in Germany: Step-by-Step

A complete step-by-step guide to switching from GKV to PKV in Germany. Who qualifies, when to switch, what happens to dependents, and common mistakes to avoid.