There are two Health insurance types in Germany: Statutory health insurance (GKV) and private health insurance (PKV). Statutory (or public) health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) is accessible to everyone. However, certain conditions apply to private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung). Up to 90 percent of people living in Germany are covered by statutory health insurance (GKV).
Under the German healthcare system, GKV in Germany is also referred to as public health insurance, statutory health insurance, general health insurance, state-owned health insurance or compulsory health insurance. You might also hear the word in German Krankenkasse, which are public health insurance providers such as Barmer, TK or AOK.
In order to ensure that information is standardized and accurate in all areas, Vasistdas uses the term public health insurance for GKV in all its sources.
Public health insurance in Germany (GKV)
Public health insurance is financed by public, financially and organizationally independent state-owned health insurance funds. The solidarity principle of statutory health insurance guarantees every insured person the benefit of medically necessary statutory health insurance, regardless of income or the amount of premiums paid and regardless of the risk of illness.
The premiums for statutory health insurance are based on the income of the insured person. The calculation of these premiums is based on the gross income of the insured person, with a standard premium of 14.6 percent of this income. The insured and the employer pay this amount together.
In addition, every health insurance scheme requires the employee to pay an additional premium. In statutory health insurance, children and parents can be insured together free of charge through a family insurance scheme. Public insurance is the most common among health insurance types in Germany.
Related article: Statutory health insurance in Germany (GKV)
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Private health insurance in Germany (PKV)
In Germany, not every person can be a member of private health insurance. Only employees whose gross income exceeds the compulsory insurance limit (2025: €73,800 per year) can be covered by private health insurance. In Germany, servants, civil servants and self-employed workers and business owners whose gross income exceeds the compulsory insurance limit can usually be covered by private health insurance.
When applying for private health insurance, the person concerned will be asked detailed questions about his or her state of health, sometimes accompanied by a medical certificate from the family doctor and dentist.
Unlike statutory health insurance, the premiums for private health insurance are based on the health status, age and scope of services provided, regardless of income. The premiums are determined individually for each insured person.
The range of services/payments offered by private health insurance is not subject to statutory regulations and is much more comprehensive than statutory health insurance. In addition, the services/payments can be individually tailored to the insured person.
The insured person first pays for all treatment and medication costs. The insurance company reimburses the insured person upon presentation of an invoice.
In general, with public health insurance, you can receive free health care abroad only in emergencies, but with private insurance, you can receive care at even the most advanced health institutions worldwide as part of your insurance.
So how can you buy health insurance? If you have recently moved to Germany, it will be very difficult to know and compare insurance companies and policy details, especially if you do not speak German.
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Health insurance for students
All foreign students, including students coming from countries outside of European Union, who start their studies at a university or graduate school in Germany must take out health insurance. Students cannot be enrolled without proof of health insurance.
Students over 30 years of age or students who have completed their 14th semester of study are not eligible for public health insurance in Germany; they must take out private health insurance. This rule also applies to students attending language courses in Germany to prepare them for higher education.
Related article: Student health insurance in Germany
