Health Insurance Germany 2026: Costs for Students & Employees

Health insurance is compulsory in Germany, and you need proof of it for your visa, your university enrolment and your first job. Most newcomers end up in the public system (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV). This guide explains the numbers for 2026.

Students

Public insurers charge students a flat monthly rate, whatever the insurer. At TK, Germany's largest public insurer, the 2026 rates are:

Situation	Monthly contribution
Under 23, no children	€141.16
23 or older, no children	€146.29
With at least one child	€141.16

These include long-term care insurance. The student rate ends at the end of the semester in which you leave university, or at the latest at the end of the semester in which you turn 30. After that you pay the higher voluntary rate, unless you are employed.

Can students choose private insurance instead?

Students can apply to be exempt from public insurance and take private cover. The exemption cannot be reversed for the rest of your studies, and private premiums rise with age. For most students the public rate is the safer choice, especially if you plan to work in Germany afterwards.

Employees

If you are employed and earn up to €77,400 a year (the 2026 compulsory insurance threshold), you must be publicly insured. Contributions are a share of your gross salary:

Part	Rate in 2026	Who pays
General rate	14.6%	Half you, half your employer
Extra contribution (Zusatzbeitrag)	2.9% on average, set by each insurer	Half you, half your employer
Long-term care insurance	3.6%, plus 0.6% if you are 23+ and have no children	Shared; the childless surcharge is yours

Contributions stop rising above €69,750 a year (€5,812.50 a month). At that cap, with an average extra contribution, the employee share of health insurance is about €509 a month, before care insurance.

Insurers differ mainly in their extra contribution and their service, such as English-speaking support and apps. Compare the Zusatzbeitrag before you choose.

When private insurance makes sense

Employees earning more than €77,400 a year, and self-employed people, can choose private insurance (PKV). Premiums depend on your age and health, not your income, so they can be cheaper for young, healthy high earners.

The catch for families: in the public system, a spouse without income and your children are covered free through family insurance (Familienversicherung). In private insurance, each family member needs their own policy. Returning from private to public insurance later is difficult, and close to impossible after 55.

Before you arrive

For the visa you need cover from the day you land. Students often use an incoming or travel policy until public insurance starts with their enrolment. Employees are covered from their first working day once the employer registers them. Check exactly what your German mission accepts.

Questions people ask

Do I need German health insurance for my student visa?

Yes. You need proof of cover that is valid in Germany. Public student insurance starts with enrolment, so many students bridge the first weeks with an incoming policy that meets visa requirements.

Is my family covered if I am publicly insured?

A spouse with no or very low income and your children can usually join your public insurance for free through family insurance. They must live in Germany.

How do I choose a public insurer?

All public insurers cover the same core benefits by law. Compare the extra contribution (Zusatzbeitrag), English-language service and app quality. You can switch insurer after 12 months.

Sources

Information only. Not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change, so check the official source linked above before you act.

Health insurance in Germany 2026: public or private, and what it costs

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