Private Medical Insurance in Germany: The 2026 Guide

What Is Private Medical Insurance in Germany?

In Germany, "private medical insurance" almost always refers to private Krankenversicherung (PKV) — comprehensive, primary health insurance provided by private companies as a full alternative to the statutory public system, gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV). This is an important distinction for people arriving from countries like the UK or US: in Germany, PKV is not an optional extra you buy on top of a national health service. For those who qualify, it replaces public insurance entirely and becomes your main cover.

There is also a separate, smaller category called private supplementary insurance (private Zusatzversicherung) — top-up policies that public (GKV) members can add for extra dental, hospital, or international benefits. This guide focuses on full private medical insurance (PKV), which is what most expats and higher earners mean when they ask about going private.

Who Can Get Private Medical Insurance in Germany?

Access to private medical insurance is controlled by law. You can choose PKV in 2026 if you fall into one of these groups:

• 1
  Employees Earning Above €77,400/Year

  Employees become free to leave GKV once their gross salary exceeds the Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze (JAEG) — €77,400 per year (€6,450/month) in 2026. See our full PKV eligibility guide for the qualifying-period rules.
• 2
  Freelancers & Self-Employed

  The self-employed can join PKV immediately at any income level — no threshold applies. You only need to prove your freelance or business status. This is one of the most common routes into private medical insurance.
• 3
  Civil Servants (Beamte)

  Civil servants receive a state subsidy (Beihilfe) covering 50–80% of their medical costs, so they only privately insure the remainder — often for as little as €150–€250/month.
• 4
  Students & Newly Arrived Expats

  Certain students and many newly arrived expats can access private cover — sometimes specialist incoming plans first, then full PKV once employed or self-employed. See our guides for expats and students.

What Does Private Medical Insurance Cover in Germany?

PKV is modular — you choose a tariff that sets exactly what is covered and at what reimbursement level. A comprehensive private medical tariff in Germany typically includes the following, often well beyond what GKV offers:

How Much Does Private Medical Insurance Cost in Germany?

Because premiums are based on your risk profile rather than income, costs vary widely. The table below shows typical 2026 monthly premiums for comprehensive private medical cover. For a deeper breakdown of premium factors, deductibles, and the no-claims bonus, see our dedicated PKV costs guide.

Private Medical Insurance (PKV) vs Public Insurance (GKV)

The right choice depends on your age, income, health, and family situation. The summary below highlights the core differences — for a full side-by-side comparison see our guide on the difference between public and private health insurance.

How to Choose the Right Private Medical Insurance

PKV is a long-term commitment, and the difference between a well-chosen and poorly-chosen policy can be tens of thousands of euros over a lifetime. The key steps:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is private medical insurance in Germany?

Private medical insurance in Germany — private Krankenversicherung or PKV — is full primary health cover offered by private insurers as an alternative to the public system (GKV). It is not a top-up: for those who qualify, it replaces public insurance entirely. Premiums are based on your age and health at entry rather than your income, and tariffs typically offer faster specialist access, private hospital rooms, and broader dental and international coverage.

Who can get private medical insurance in Germany?

You can choose PKV if you are an employee earning above €77,400 gross per year (the 2026 income threshold), a freelancer or self-employed person at any income level, a civil servant (Beamter) with Beihilfe, or in some cases a student or newly arrived expat. Everyone else is generally required to remain in the public GKV system.

How much does private medical insurance cost in Germany?

In 2026, private medical insurance typically costs €350–€700 per month for a comprehensive tariff. A healthy 28-year-old pays around €320–€420, a 40-year-old expat around €520–€680, and civil servants with Beihilfe as little as €150–€250. Premiums depend on your entry age, health, chosen coverage level, and deductible — not your income.

What does private medical insurance in Germany cover?

Comprehensive PKV tariffs generally cover GP and specialist treatment with direct access (no referral needed), private or semi-private hospital rooms, chief physician treatment, extensive dental including crowns and implants, prescription medication, vision care, and worldwide emergency cover. The exact scope depends on the tariff you choose, since PKV is modular.

Is private medical insurance better than public insurance in Germany?

For young, healthy, higher earners and the self-employed, private medical insurance usually offers better benefits and often lower premiums than public GKV. However, GKV provides free coverage for non-earning spouses and children, which can make it more economical for families. The right choice depends on your age, income, health, and family situation.