PKV Knowledge Base

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

21
Articles
12
Topics
2026
Updated
PKV Guide
How to Read Your PKV Leistungsabrechnung (Reimbursement Statement)

A plain-English guide to reading your PKV reimbursement statement: what each line means, why an insurer pays less than the bill, and how to challenge it.

PKV Guide
Your Health Data and Your Insurer: What PKV May Ask, See and Share

What PKV insurers may ask, see and share: the Schweigepflichtentbindung, claim verification, GDPR rights and the walls around your health data.

PKV Guide
How to Read PKV Tariff Conditions: An AVB Survival Guide

A survival guide to PKV tariff conditions: the document hierarchy, ten clauses to check line by line, and the wording that signals quality or trouble.

PKV Guide
PKV Application Rejected? Your Realistic Options From Here

Rejected by a PKV insurer? Why declines happen, how to protect your record, and five realistic routes: other insurers, surcharges, Öffnungsaktion, Basistarif, GKV.

PKV Guide
Voluntary GKV vs PKV: The Real Choice for High Earners

Above the salary threshold you become a voluntary GKV member by default. What that costs at the ceiling — and how the real PKV comparison works.

PKV Guide
The Reimbursement Principle: How Paying and Claiming Works in PKV

PKV runs on reimbursement: doctors bill you, the insurer pays you back. How the money flow works and how to handle large hospital bills.

PKV Guide
Pflegepflichtversicherung: The Mandatory Care Insurance Beside Your PKV

Every PKV policy comes with mandatory private long-term care insurance (PPV). What it covers, what it costs and how it compares to the GKV equivalent.

PKV Guide
PKV in 2026: Key Figures and What to Watch

The key PKV figures for 2026 — salary threshold, ceilings — and the trends every policyholder should watch this year.

PKV Guide
Before You Join PKV: The Essential Checklist

A practical pre-join checklist for PKV — eligibility, health, benefits, income protection, long-term cost planning and getting advice.

PKV Guide
7 Common Myths About PKV in Germany

Seven common PKV myths debunked — unaffordable old-age premiums, no way back to GKV, losing all cover, and more.

PKV Guide
Your Annual PKV Review: A Simple Checklist

A simple annual PKV review checklist — premium, benefits, deductible, income protection and tax — to keep your cover optimal each year.

PKV Guide
Switching Your PKV Insurer: When Is It Actually Worth It?

When switching PKV insurer is worth it, why you usually lose most of your ageing reserve, and why an internal §204 switch is often better.