PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE · GKV
Public health insurance in Germany (GKV): we handle your sign-up, in English
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany. We advise you in English, compare the best Krankenkassen for your situation and take care of the entire registration — no German paperwork for you.
Not sure which insurance applies to you? Check your situation ↓
100% free insurance advisory and management service
In Germany, health insurance is a legal requirement for everyone living in the country. Whether you are starting a job at a German company, taking a language course or working for yourself, you need to be covered from day one.
Most residents are insured through the public system (GKV — Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) via a Krankenkasse (statutory health fund). It covers doctor's visits, medication, hospital treatment, preventive care and your family. Your contribution is calculated on your gross salary — and your employer pays half of it.
Not eligible for the public system yet because you are still job-hunting or learning German? There is temporary health insurance from €36/month to keep you covered in the meantime.
At Bramex we guide you through your options, compare the Krankenkassen available for your situation and handle the full registration. Our service is completely free for you: we work as official intermediaries between the insurers and you.
What's your situation?
Each profile has a different insurance and a different procedure. Find yours and go straight to the information you need:
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Employee at a German company
You are starting a job at a company based in Germany and need to be registered before your first day at work.
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Temporary health insurance
You are job-hunting, learning German or in between stages. Not eligible for the public system yet, but you need cover — from €36/month.
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Private insurance (PKV)
You earn more than €6,450/month, or you are self-employed or a civil servant, and prefer private cover with wider benefits.
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Freelancer or self-employed
You work for yourself in Germany. You pay 100% of the contribution — there is no employer to cover half of it.
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University student
You are enrolled at a German university. A special reduced rate applies until you turn 30 or reach your 14th semester.
Insurance finder
None of these quite match your case?
Use our insurance finder to see which option fits your situation best. And if you are still unsure, we will help you make the right call.
Find your insurance
A quick, clear way to get your bearings before signing anything.
Who must have public health insurance in Germany?
Employees
If you work for a German company and your gross salary is between €603 and €6,450 a month (€77,400/year), you are required to join a public Krankenkasse. Below €603 your job counts as a minijob: while you look for a full contract, you may need temporary health insurance. Above €6,450/month you can opt for private insurance (PKV).
Students, self-employed and families
University students up to age 30 or the 14th semester, apprentices (Ausbildung) and pensioners are also part of the public system. Your spouse without their own income and your children are co-insured on your policy free of charge (Familienversicherung). If you are still learning the language or job-hunting and cannot join the public system yet, temporary health insurance covers the transition.
How much does health insurance cost in Germany?
~17.5%
of your gross salary
You pay 50%
Your employer pays the other 50%
Public health insurance in Germany is made up of a general rate of 14.6% (the same for every Krankenkasse) plus an individual additional rate set by each fund: the 2026 average is 2.9%. In total, the contribution ranges from 16.78% (the cheapest funds) to 19% (the most expensive) of your gross salary.
As an employee, you pay half and your employer pays the other half. The amount is deducted automatically from your payslip — you never transfer anything to the insurer yourself.
The gap between Krankenkassen has widened sharply in 2026: choosing well can save you more than €600 a year on an average salary, with the same core benefits. At Bramex we calculate your real contribution before you sign anything.
Public health insurance (GKV) rates in 2026
Last updated: July 2026| Item | 2026 value |
|---|---|
| General contribution rate (same for all Krankenkassen) | 14.6% of gross salary |
| Average additional rate (Zusatzbeitrag, set by each fund) | 2.9% (between 2.18% and 4.39% depending on the fund) |
| Average total rate | 17.5% — half is paid by your employer |
| Maximum salary contributions are calculated on (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze) | €5,812.50/month (€69,750/year) |
| Salary threshold to switch to private insurance (Versicherungspflichtgrenze) | €77,400/year (≈ €6,450/month) |
| Example: gross salary of €3,000/month | Total contribution ≈ €525, of which you pay ≈ €262.50 (your employer pays the rest) |
Official 2026 figures set by the German Federal Ministry of Health (BMG) and published in the Bundesanzeiger. The exact additional rate depends on each Krankenkasse and can change during the year.
The employee contributes half of the total.
The employer contributes the other half.
Your health insurance is paid monthly and deducted directly from your salary — you will see it itemised on your payslip along with the other social contributions. You never pay the Krankenkasse directly: the money is transferred automatically.
How to get health insurance in Germany
through Bramex
1
STEP 1
Check the rates in our Krankenkassen comparison
2
STEP 2
Choose the advisory service you need
3
STEP 3
Fill in the form
4
STEP 4
We check your details and handle the registration
I'm starting a job at a German company
We deal with the German bureaucracy for you. Full insurance management and professional advice in English — fast and at no extra cost. 100% guaranteed.
Other public health insurance scenarios in Germany
If your case is less common — posted worker or remote worker with a contract outside Germany — these are the most frequent scenarios:
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How health insurance works in Germany (for employees)
The Krankenkassen — Germany's public health funds
If you work for a company and earn more than €603 gross a month, you must have health insurance. It is you — not your employer — who registers with a public Krankenkasse; once you have your membership, you simply pass the insurance number on to your company.
There are several dozen public health funds offering different rates and extra benefits on top of the legal minimum: medical, dental and hospital treatment plus additional services (prevention programmes, wheelchairs or hearing aids, for example).
The core benefits are identical everywhere because the law sets them. What changes is the individual additional rate each fund charges: in 2026 it ranges from 2.18% to 4.39% of your gross salary. So the money-saving question is not how the GKV works — it's which Krankenkasse to pick. That's exactly what our Krankenkassen comparison is for.
Why manage your health insurance with Bramex
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Unbiased choice
We help you pick the Krankenkasse that genuinely fits your situation.
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No extra fees
Advice and full management, completely free of charge for you.
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Wide partner network
We work with 95% of Germany's leading insurers.
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Ongoing support
We stay by your side before, during and after you sign up.
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Kept up to date
We let you know about changes and news that may affect you.
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In your language
All support and paperwork handled in English — no language barrier.
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No bureaucracy
We take care of all the paperwork. You only sign where needed.
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Proven experience
Years of helping expats and internationals with their insurance in Germany.
Frequently asked questions about health insurance in Germany
Is health insurance mandatory in Germany?
Yes. Everyone living in Germany must have health insurance, either public (GKV) or private (PKV). The European Health Insurance Card only covers you for the first three months after your Anmeldung.
What happens if you don't have health insurance in Germany?
Going uninsured gets expensive fast. First, you pay every treatment entirely out of pocket (a single hospital night can run into hundreds of euros). Second, when you eventually register, the Krankenkasse can charge you retroactively for the whole uninsured period, creating a serious debt. And third, many procedures (visas, residence permits, contracts) require proof of active insurance. If you are in transition and cannot join the public system yet, temporary health insurance closes that gap from €36/month.
How much does public health insurance cost?
The total contribution is calculated on your gross salary and in 2026 it averages 17.5% of your pay (a 14.6% general rate plus each Krankenkasse's own additional rate, 2.9% on average). As an employee, you pay half and your employer pays the other half. If you are self-employed, you pay the full contribution yourself.
What's the difference between public (GKV) and private (PKV) insurance?
The GKV charges a percentage of your salary, all Krankenkassen provide the same core benefits, and family members without income are insured for free. The PKV charges a fixed premium based on age and health, offers wider cover, and every family member needs their own policy.
For employees earning under €6,450 gross/month (€77,400/year in 2026), the GKV is mandatory. Compare GKV vs PKV with our calculator.
Can I choose any Krankenkasse?
Yes, you have complete freedom to choose among all the Krankenkassen in the country (AOK, TK, Barmer, DAK, HKK, BKK… and many more). Even if your employer offers to handle it, the decision is yours. That's why at Bramex we help you compare before you commit.
Does my insurance cover my family at no extra cost?
Yes. Public insurance covers your spouse without their own income (as long as they earn no more than €565/month) and your children up to 18 (up to 25 if they are studying or doing an Ausbildung) free of charge. This is the Familienversicherung. Unmarried partners are not included.
I don't have a job in Germany yet. Can I still join the public system?
If you are an EU citizen: you need the E104 form, issued by the social security office in your home country, proving your insurance record over the last year and a half. Without it, the Krankenkassen will not process your application.
If you come from outside the EU: you will be asked for an active visa of at least 12 months. If you don't have one yet, the usual route is temporary private insurance until you get the visa, then switching to the public system.
Can my employer handle the insurance for me?
Your employer may offer to, but the final choice is yours. The "default" Krankenkasse your company assigns may not be the best one for you. We recommend comparing before you accept: with the 2026 rate differences, choosing well can mean over €600 in savings per year.
I've lost my job. What happens to my Krankenkasse?
You remain a member and you don't lose your cover. If you receive unemployment benefit (ALG I), the Agentur für Arbeit pays your contributions. If you receive no benefit, your Krankenkasse will send you a letter to reclassify you. Don't ignore it: if you fail to reply, you'll be put on the highest rate and the debt will pile up. At Bramex we help you sort this out.
Can I switch Krankenkasse later?
Yes. After 12 months with the same fund you can switch with 2 months' notice. You can also switch without notice when you change employer or when your Krankenkasse announces a rate increase. See how to switch Krankenkasse step by step.
Does the GKV cover the dentist?
Public insurance covers basic dental care (check-ups, simple fillings, annual cleanings) and a percentage of dentures. For full cover of orthodontics, implants, high-quality dentures or cosmetic dentistry, it usually pays off to add supplemental dental insurance.
Ready to get your health insurance in Germany?
Tell us your situation and we'll check which insurance applies to you, which Krankenkassen are your best options — and we'll handle the registration without you touching a single form.