PKV Anwartschaft 2026: Keep Your Private Health Insurance Spot in Germany Without Paying Full Premium
With a PKV Anwartschaft, you pause your private health insurance without losing it. Pay 5 to 45 percent of your normal premium depending on whether you choose small or large coverage. Keep your health status, entry age, and (in the large option) your age reserves intact.
- Small Anwartschaft: about 5–10 % of your PKV premium. Health status frozen.
- Large Anwartschaft: about 20–45 % of premium. Includes age reserves and entry age preservation.
- JAEG 2026 = €77,400 gross yearly income (Social Insurance Threshold Ordinance 2026).
- Waiting periods: 3 months general, 8 months for dental, childbirth, psychotherapy (§ 197 VVG).
- Heilfürsorge-eligible (military, police): from €1/month with Debeka, DBV.
What is a PKV Anwartschaft?
An Anwartschaft is a dormant private health insurance contract. You pay a reduced premium, receive no benefits, but preserve the right to reactivate your old plan later. No new health exam needed. No surcharges for illnesses that appear while the contract is paused.
The Anwartschaft is anchored in § 146 VAG. The model terms (MB/KK) allow it as an optional contract feature; each insurer sets its own terms in the general policy conditions (AVB).
Common reasons to choose an Anwartschaft: a year abroad, parental leave, a stint in statutory health insurance (if your income drops below the JAEG), or a move into civil service with Heilfürsorge benefits.
Small vs. Large Anwartschaft — the difference in one table
Two options, two price tiers, two very different use cases.
| Feature | Small Anwartschaft | Large Anwartschaft |
|---|---|---|
| Premium (% of PKV) | ca. 5–10 % | ca. 20–45 % |
| Health status frozen | Yes | Yes |
| Entry age preserved | No | Yes |
| Age reserves build | No | Yes |
| Best for | Short break (1–3 years), younger age | Longer pause or late-career restart |
| Heilfürsorge eligible | from €1/month (Debeka, DBV) | individual pricing |
Sources: Policy terms from Allianz, BarmeniaGothaer, Debeka, DBV, HUK, Für-Gründer (May 2026).
Rule of thumb: Under 35, small Anwartschaft usually works. If you plan to return at 45 or 55, the large option often saves you money because it locks in your current entry age and builds reserves against future premium spikes.
How much does the Anwartschaft cost in 2026?
Small Anwartschaft typically runs 5 to 10 percent of your full PKV premium. On a €500/month policy, that is €25 to €50. Large Anwartschaft costs 20 to 45 percent – about €100 to €225/month. BarmeniaGothaer quotes 30–45 %; Für-Gründer quotes 20–45 %.
If you qualify for Heilfürsorge benefits, special rates apply. Debeka and DBV offer Anwartschaft starting at €1/month for military and police trainees. If you are in one of these professions, ask your insurer directly. It is not always the default offer.
| PKV Group (2024 Data – PKV-Verband) | Avg Premium/Month |
|---|---|
| Adults without civil service subsidy | €559 |
| Civil service plans (with Beihilfe) | €239 |
Source: PKV-Verband updated PKV data 2024 + industry figures 2025 (8.79 million full-coverage insureds).
When the Anwartschaft pays off (and when it does not) — 4 scenarios
Four life situations where Anwartschaft makes sense:
Working abroad, then returning (expats)
You leave Germany for one to five years. Instead of cancelling, the Anwartschaft keeps your contract warm. When you come back, your old plan kicks in immediately. No new exam, no waiting.
Civil service trainee with Heilfürsorge
During Heilfürsorge, you do not need private insurance. An Anwartschaft locks in your future move to private with civil service subsidy – without health-related penalties later.
Switching to statutory insurance temporarily
If your income drops below JAEG, you become mandatory statutory insurance. Park your PKV in an Anwartschaft for the day you become self-employed or earn above JAEG again.
Parental leave or sabbatical
Full premiums are tough when income drops during family leave. Small Anwartschaft costs a fraction and keeps your plan ready when you go back to work.
Less suitable if you are leaving Germany for good, never want PKV again, or are already over 60. Cancellation or switch to the standard tariff might be better.
JAEG 2026 — the income threshold to enter PKV
The JAEG (Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze – Annual Income Threshold) is the salary limit that determines if employees can choose private insurance. For 2026, the general JAEG is €77,400 gross per year, or €6,450 per month. This is set in § 6 (6) SGB V and in the Social Insurance Threshold Ordinance 2026 (Bundesgesetzblatt, November 26, 2025).
Existing cases (insured before 2003) have a special JAEG: €69,750 per year or €5,812.50 per month (§ 6 (7) SGB V).
Self-employed, freelancers, and civil servants are not bound by JAEG. They can switch to PKV without an income threshold and can set up an Anwartschaft whenever they take a break.
PKV waiting periods — and what happens during the Anwartschaft
When you first start a PKV policy, you face statutory waiting periods under § 197 VVG:
| Service | Waiting Period |
|---|---|
| General benefits | 3 months |
| Dental (treatment, prosthetics, orthodontics) | 8 months |
| Childbirth | 8 months |
| Psychotherapy | 8 months |
| Accidents | usually no waiting period |
If you switch directly from another plan (statutory or another PKV), many insurers credit that time toward your waiting period. With an Anwartschaft that you reactivate, the waiting period is waived entirely. You get full benefits right away. This is one of the biggest advantages over cancelling and re-enrolling later.
How to apply for an Anwartschaft — step by step
- 1Identify your current PKV plan: policy name, number, and insurer.
- 2Ask your insurer for the policy terms (AVB) for Anwartschaft insurance.
- 3Decide: small or large Anwartschaft, based on how long you plan to pause and your age.
- 4Submit the application. Deadline is usually 2 months after the triggering event (e.g., becoming statutory-insured).
- 5Do not cancel your main policy. Cancellation loses your age reserves and makes restart harder.
- 6Switch your long-term care insurance (Pflegepflichtversicherung) too. It is a separate contract, but coordinate the timing.
- 7When you return to Germany, notify your insurer 1–3 months ahead to reactivate. Plan early.
Key terms around PKV Anwartschaft
Know your vocabulary for insurer talks
PKV
Private Krankenversicherung (private health insurance for self-employed, freelancers, civil servants, and high earners).
Anwartschaft
Dormant PKV policy with reduced premium. No benefits while paused, but reactivates later without new health exam.
JAEG
Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze – €77,400 gross/year 2026. The salary threshold for PKV eligibility in Germany.
Altersrückstellung
Age reserve fund that builds automatically in the large Anwartschaft. Cushions premium increases in old age.
Wartezeit
Waiting period after contract start before benefits are paid. 3 or 8 months under § 197 VVG.
Beihilfe
State subsidy for civil servants. Usually 50–80 % cost coverage (BBhV § 46).
Heilfürsorge
Full healthcare for active soldiers and police trainees. Small Anwartschaft available from €1/month via Debeka, DBV.
Standardtarif
Industry-standard social tariff for long-term insureds. Emergency option, not a preferred plan.
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Tip: Decide on Anwartschaft well in advance
Tip: Decide on Anwartschaft well in advance
Read more about private health insurance
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Full PKV guide for 2026.
PKV Plans in Detail
Coverage, deductibles, cost breakdown.
Health Insurance Guide for Expats 2026
Statutory vs. private explained.
Subsidized PKV for Civil Servants
50–80 % cost coverage, plan options 2026.
PKV for Students
Under-30 rates, Anwartschaft options.
PKV for Civil Service Trainees
Heilfürsorge Anwartschaft from €1/month.
Frequently asked questions
Häufig gestellte Fragen
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Date: · meinetarife24 Editorial Team
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