Health Insurance Germany Compared
2026: Public (GKV) vs Private (PKV)
In Germany, health insurance is mandatory. There are two systems: public (GKV) with an income-based contribution (in 2026 around 14.6 percent plus an average supplementary contribution of 2.9 percent) and private (PKV) with an individual contribution. This overview compares both systems and shows you which path suits your situation before you dive into the details.
No plan confusion, no empty promises: we explain the reliable key figures for 2026 and link to the right in-depth guides for public and private health insurance.
Key Takeaways
- Two systems: GKV (contribution based on income) and PKV (contribution based on age, health and plan).
- GKV contribution 2026: 14.6 percent plus an average supplementary contribution of 2.9 percent, around 17.5 percent on average.
- Employees may only enter the PKV from 77,400 euros gross per year (JAEG 2026); self-employed people and civil servants are free to choose.
- Big GKV advantage: family members without income are covered free of charge.
What to expect
GKV and PKV side by side
Both systems cover medical care, but they start from a completely different logic. Public health insurance distributes costs in solidarity according to income, while private insurance calculates individually according to risk. This table compares the most important points, with the reliable figures for 2026.
| Criterion | Public (GKV) | Private (PKV) |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution principle | Based on income (solidarity principle) | Based on age, health and plan |
| Contribution 2026 | 14.6 % + avg 2.9 % supplementary (≈ 17.5 %) | Avg around 623 €/month (2025), highly individual |
| Access | Open to all; mandatory up to the JAEG | Employees from 77,400 € (JAEG), self-employed/civil servants free |
| Family | Partner & children without income covered free (Section 10 SGB V) | Separate contribution for each person |
| Benefits | Statutory catalogue, similar across all funds | Depends on plan, often extended (e.g. senior physician, single room) |
| Contribution in old age | Remains income-based | Can rise; ageing reserves soften the trend |
| Return | — | From 55 hardly possible to return to the GKV (Section 6 (3a) SGB V) |
As of June 2026. Sources: Federal Ministry of Health (contribution rates), GKV-Spitzenverband, PKV association (average contribution), Section 6 and Section 175 SGB V. The average PKV contribution is an industry figure and is not an indication of your personal contribution.
Note: „Comparing health insurance“ first means choosing the right system. Only afterwards does it come down to comparing the funds within the GKV or the plans within the PKV.
Public health insurance (GKV)
Most people in Germany are publicly insured. The contribution is based on gross income, not on your state of health. The statutory benefit catalogue is largely the same across all funds; the differences are mainly in the supplementary contribution, in voluntary extra benefits and in service.
How the contribution is made up
General contribution rate of 14.6 percent plus the fund-specific supplementary contribution (in 2026 around 2.9 percent on average). For employees, employer and employee share the contribution. On top of that comes long-term care insurance at 3.6 percent, or 4.2 percent for childless people aged 23 and over.
Up to what income?
Contributions only apply up to the contribution assessment ceiling of 69,750 euros per year (5,812.50 euros per month, as of 2026). Whatever you earn above that remains contribution-free. Which fund offers the lowest supplementary contribution and the right extras is the real comparison question within the GKV.
Go deeper: Which public fund suits you is shown by the guide compare public health funds. Gaps in GKV cover for dental, glasses or alternative practitioners are closed by a private supplementary insurance.
Private health insurance (PKV)
The PKV is not open to everyone. Employees may only switch once their gross annual income exceeds the income threshold of 77,400 euros (2026). Self-employed people, freelancers and civil servants can choose regardless of income; civil servants additionally benefit from the allowance (Beihilfe) of their employer. The contribution depends on entry age, state of health and the chosen plan.
Go deeper: Plans, benefit levels and for whom the PKV is worthwhile are explained by the guide compare private health insurance. A weighing of the pros and cons can be found under advantages of the PKV.
Compare health insurance without obligation
Get an overview of suitable plans, free of charge and without obligation. Ideal if you want to check whether private health insurance is an option for you.
Advertising notice (affiliate): independent, free comparison. meinetarife24 is financed through provisions from the providers; no additional costs arise for you.
Which path suits your situation
Whether you can choose freely at all depends on your stage of life. This overview helps you place your case before you decide on a system.
| Your situation | What applies to you |
|---|---|
| Employed up to 77,400 € gross | GKV is mandatory, but you can freely choose among all open funds. |
| Employed above 77,400 € gross | Choice between voluntary GKV and PKV. Many deliberately stay in the GKV. |
| Self-employed / freelance | Free choice between voluntary GKV and PKV, regardless of income. |
| Students | Usually an affordable GKV student rate or family insurance via the parents. |
| Civil servants | Usually PKV plus allowance (Beihilfe); the GKV is possible as a voluntary option. |
| Partner / children without income | Free family insurance via the GKV member (Section 10 SGB V). |
Still unsure between public and private? The step-by-step decision aid with all selection criteria can be found in the guide choosing health insurance: GKV or PKV?. Especially for newcomers, the guide for foreigners explains the system from the start.
Family insurance: the cost advantage of the GKV
An important difference in the comparison: in public health insurance, spouses and registered partners without their own income, as well as children, are covered free of charge (Section 10 SGB V), as long as the income limit is observed (in 2026 generally 565 euros per month, or 556 euros for a minijob). In the PKV, by contrast, each person needs their own contract with their own contribution.
Families with one earner
Anyone with children who is insured in the GKV pays the same contribution as a childless person with the same income. That makes the GKV considerably cheaper for many families.
Dual earners and singles
Without dependents to co-insure, this advantage matters less. Then what counts above all is the desired scope of benefits and the long-term contribution trend.
Switching, deadlines and the decision
Within the GKV, switching funds is straightforward: you register with the new fund, which handles the rest. Only the deadlines matter. A detailed walkthrough can be found in the guide switching health fund: instructions and deadlines.
Still unsure: public or private?
This overview shows you the differences. If you want to go through the decision step by step and weigh your personal selection criteria, our decision aid will take you further.
To the GKV or PKV decision aidFor expats and newcomers
The German health insurance system seems complicated at first. The most important insight is simple: first you decide between public and private, then you compare funds or plans. For most employees and families, the GKV is the obvious starting point.
meinetarife24 explains these topics in German, English and Turkish, so that you can make a good decision even if German is not your native language.
Frequently asked questions
Sources and methodology
All contribution rates, thresholds and legal details in this comparison have been checked against official sources (as of June 2026). The most important ones:
- Federal Ministry of Health – general contribution rate of 14.6 % and average supplementary contribution of 2.9 % (2026)
- GKV-Spitzenverband – supplementary contribution rates and reference figures of public health insurance
- PKV association – average monthly contribution for full private health insurance (2025)
- Section 6 SGB V – exemption from insurance, income threshold and return from the PKV
- Section 175 SGB V – binding period, termination and special right of termination
- Finanztip – independent assessment of GKV and PKV
Further articles
Compare public health funds
Supplementary contribution, extra benefits and service: how to find the right GKV.
Compare private health insurance
For the self-employed, civil servants and high earners: PKV plans compared.
Choosing health insurance: GKV or PKV?
The step-by-step decision aid with all selection criteria.
Compare supplementary health insurance
Close GKV gaps for dental, glasses and alternative practitioners in a targeted way.
Compare health insurance at your own pace
Get an overview of your options and find the cover that suits your situation, free of charge and without obligation.
Free · Independent · SSL-encrypted