Private Health Insurance in Germany Good and Afford­able Coverage for Expats

Independent and unbiased: Stiftung Warentest

Stiftung Warentest is Germany’s best-known consumer organization. We are independent, non-profit and provide fact-based analysis – completely free from intrusive affiliate links. We are funded solely by our readers’ willing­ness to pay for exclusive content. We receive no commissions, nor do we have any part­nerships with insurance providers or other companies beyond data collection.

To throw a spot­light on our health­care system, we commisioned a representative survey to special care. Faster access to specialist care is a critical factor in health­care systems, with appointment availability playing a key role.

Empirical evidence suggests that privately insured patients receive medical treat­ment significantly quicker than patients covered by statutory health insurance. Our study supports this finding, indicating that respondents with private insurance reported reduced waiting periods for their most recent specialist appointments.

So it’s no surprise that many people wonder whether switching to private health insurance is worthw­hile. But is it truly beneficial? For those interested in first-class health­care coverage, there are many providers and an overwhelming number of plan combinations. Stiftung Warentest tried to find the best value and evaluated 1 245 plan combinations.

The results were indeed surprising: Private health insurance does not automatic­ally offer superior coverage compared to statutory insurance. Two-thirds of the plans, 861 in total, failed to meet our criteria or required policyholders to cover more than 660 euro in out-of-pocket expenses annually. These plans were excluded from our evaluation. Only 384 from 22 providers met our strict criteria. These plans meet our 16 criteria for well-rounded coverage and, in some cases, offer more than statutory health insurance.

What we did

After having identified 384 acceptable plan combinations for employees, self-employed and civil servants, we rated them. Since civil servant plans are usually not relevant for expats, we have excluded them from our tables.

After activation, you will receive the table with all recommended tariffs (as of January 2025) to download as pdf file.

What expats should consider before closing a contract

• Carefully evaluate your indivi­dual circums­tances, including income, family size and length of stay, before deciding on private or public health insurance. Long-term financial implications, strict eligibility criteria and lack of family benefits may make it less suit­able for you than for others.
• Be aware that private health insurance is only financially attractive at a young age. Insurance premiums will continue to rise in the future. Private health insurance is therefore particularly worthw­hile if you join while you are young and heal­thy – and plan to leave Germany after a few years, before premiums become too high in old age
• Employees can only switch to the private health insurance system if they earn at least 73 800 euro gross per year. For self-employed indivi­duals there is no limitation.
• Statutory health insurance does not require any health assess­ment, whereas private health insurance does. It is crucial to provide accurate information, as incorrect answers could result in losing coverage. We offer guidance on completing the application correctly.

Health insurance: What the law requires

• If you live in the EU, the European Economic Area or Switzer­land, you do not need a visa to stay and work in Germany. On entering you only need to register at the local residents‘ registration office.
• Citizens of all other countries, who want to live, work or study in Germany for more than 90 days must apply for a visa before their entry. This is required to obtain a work permit. People from Australia, Israel, Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland or the USA, can apply the visa after entering Germany at the Immigration Office.
• The visa or residence permit is issued by the authority along with the work permit. To obtain both, you must prove your residence in Germany with a rental contract.
• Foreigners from visa-required countries must provide proof of health insurance in order to obtain a visa for entry into Germany. The insurance must be valid for the entire duration of the planned stay. The insurance needs to meet the stan­dards of statutory health insurance.

Statutory or privat health insurance?

• Foreign students in Germany are generally covered by statutory health insurance and benefit from a reduced contribution rate. Upon request, they may opt for private health insurance instead.
• Foreign nationals who take up employment subject to social security contributions in Germany are required to join the statutory health insurance system. However, if their annual income exceeds 73 800 euro (as of 2025), they have the option to switch to private health insurance.
• EEA citizens working as free­lancers must join statutory health insurance if they were previously insured under a public health system in their home country. If they were privately insured, they must take out private health insurance in Germany as well.
• The cost of statutory health insurance is based on income. Contributions apply to all earnings up to the contribution assess­ment ceiling of 5 512.50 europer month (as of 2025), with employers covering half of the total contribution. For self-employed indivi­duals, the minimum contribution assess­ment base is 1 248.33 euro per month (as of 2025). They must pay contributions on at least this amount if enrolled in statutory health insurance.

System comparison: Key differences between Germany‘s statutory and private health insurances