Maximum statutory (GKV) contribution 2026
Contributions are income-based up to the ceiling of €5,812.50 gross per month. At 14.6 % plus an average supplementary rate of 2.9 % the maximum health contribution is about €1,017 per month; long-term care adds 3.6 % (4.2 % for childless members), about €209–244. Employees pay roughly half. For 2027 the ceiling is set to rise to €6,375 (cabinet decision, not yet promulgated).
Private (PKV) contributions
No ceiling and no link to income: the premium depends on entry age, health, tariff and deductible. Each family member has their own contract; ageing reserves are built from the start to stabilise premiums later in life.
Twenty-year trend
According to the PKV institute WIP, contribution income per insured rose by 3.1 % a year in private cover and 3.8 % in statutory cover (2005–2025). Private premiums rise in steps – 2026 saw an average increase of 13 % for about 60 % of privately insured people – statutory contributions creep up every year.
Benefits
Statutory benefits are defined by law and can be cut by law (from 2027: dental subsidy 60 % → 50 %, co-payments +50 %). Private benefits are contractual and cannot be cut for existing contracts. Private tariffs typically add chief physician, single rooms and higher dental cover; statutory cover is often stronger for rehabilitation, aids and psychotherapy, and insures non-earning partners and children free of charge.
General information, not advice. Sources: Federal Ministry of Health, PKV association/WIP, consumer advice centres – as of October 2026. Let’s run your numbers.
