Find out if private health insurance in Germany is right for you
We help you understand whether you can access private insurance, what advantages it has over public coverage, and which option best fits your salary, situation and needs.
Clear and free guidance · We help you compare and decide with confidence
Thinking about switching to private health insurance in Germany?
Privatekrankenversicherung (PKV) is Germany's private health insurance system. It offers significantly better coverage than public insurance, shorter waiting times and a much more personalised level of care. However, not everyone can access it — and it is not always the best option for every situation.
At Bramex we help you analyse your specific case, compare real costs and make an informed decision. No pressure, no hidden catches.
When can you take out private health insurance in Germany?
Access to private insurance depends primarily on your income level. Here is the threshold you need to know:
What you need to know about this threshold
- All parts of your salary count — not just your base pay. Bonuses, variable pay and supplements are included.
- If you have just arrived in Germany and your salary exceeds this threshold, you can take out private insurance from day one.
- If you have been in Germany on public insurance and your salary has now gone above this limit, you can also switch.
- If you got a pay rise mid-year that pushes you over the threshold, your total annual salary for the full year must exceed €77,400 gross to be able to switch that same year. If not, the change applies on 1 January of the following year.
- Remember that you must give your Krankenkasse 2 months' notice before your intended switch date.
Private vs public insurance: key differences
An honest comparison so you can understand what each option actually offers before deciding.
Private insurance advantages by medical area
GP visits
- Short-notice appointments
- Longer and more thorough consultations
- More preventive check-ups covered
Specialists
- Direct access without long waits
- Specialist therapies included
- Good coverage with alternative practitioners
Dental
- Far superior coverage for dental treatments
- Implants and crowns with broad coverage
- Dental cleaning included depending on plan
Hospital
- Private single room
- Treated by the senior consultant
- Access to the latest treatment technologies
Insurance tailored to your personal situation
Private health insurance in Germany offers a wide range of plans. You can design a policy that costs less than public insurance, or one that provides much broader coverage — depending on what you need.
This flexibility is one of its greatest advantages: private insurance adapts to you, not the other way around. Before you decide anything, we walk you through all the available options so you have the full picture and can choose with confidence.
View the public vs private comparison toolFrequently asked questions about private health insurance
I just got a pay rise. I now earn more than €6,450 gross per month. Can I switch to private insurance straight away?
In principle yes, but your total accumulated salary for the entire year (your previous salary plus the new one) must exceed €77,400 gross annually. If that is not the case, you will need to wait until the following year and the switch will take effect on 1 January. Also remember that you must give your Krankenkasse 2 months' notice before your intended switch date.
Is private insurance actually cheaper than public?
It can be, depending on three key factors: your age when you switch, the company and plan you choose, and your current state of health. For high earners, private insurance is often cheaper than public, which is calculated as a percentage of your salary. Use our comparison tool to see exactly how much you would save in your specific case.
What specific advantages does private insurance have over public?
The main ones are: far superior dental coverage, access to more doctors and hospitals with shorter waiting times, hospital treatment in a private room by the senior consultant, and the possibility of covering treatments not available under public insurance — such as certain fertility treatments. Before you commit, we go through exactly what each plan covers.
Do I get money back if I do not use my insurance and submit no claims?
It depends on the company and plan you choose. In many cases, if you submit no claims during the year, you receive a refund that can range from €200 to €1,000 or more per year. This is one of the exclusive benefits of private insurance.
I have private insurance. How can my partner get insured?
Your partner can choose between public or private insurance. If they opt for private, your employer can cover up to 50% of the cost, just as they do for yours. For example, if your insurance costs €500/month, your employer pays €250. If your partner's policy costs €420, the employer would contribute up to €203 of that amount. If your partner chooses public insurance, the employer does not contribute to that policy. You can calculate this in our comparison tool.
Want to see how much your private insurance would cost?
Use our public vs private comparison tool to see in seconds how much you would pay and how much you could save based on your salary and situation.
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