Can you choose between public and private health insurance in Germany?

Choosing health insurance in Germany is not always straightforward. In this blog post, we will provide some insights that may help you make your decision.

Why does employment have such a significant impact on the choice of health insurance?

Employees need to earn a gross annual income of more than €69,300 (as of 2024) to qualify for private health insurance. Special payments, vacation and Christmas bonuses, bonuses, or benefits in kind such as company cars are also included in this income calculation.

If you are employed and earn less than €69,300 per year, you must be covered by statutory health insurance. German law is very strict on this point, with no exceptions. If you earn more than this threshold, you have the option to choose private health insurance.

Good to know: The obligation for statutory health insurance applies only to employees. If you are self-employed, you can choose private health insurance.

What are the advantages of statutory health insurance compared to private insurance?

If you can choose between both options, here are some reasons why statutory health insurance might be beneficial:

• It is straightforward. Once you are enrolled in statutory health insurance, there is little you need to do. Unlike private insurance, all pre-existing conditions are covered. With private insurance, additional charges for pre-existing conditions may apply. Talk to us to find out how high these might be and whether it makes sense to opt for private insurance.
• You have dependents. If you have children or plan to have them, children are covered free of charge. Private insurance can still be useful. Contact us, and we can discuss what makes the most sense. to my calender

What are the advantages of private health insurance compared to statutory health insurance?

If you have the option to choose between the two systems, here are some reasons why private health insurance might be worthwhile:

• It is generally cheaper than statutory health insurance. This is because premiums are based on your risk rather than a percentage of your income. If you are young and healthy, you will pay significantly less than with statutory insurance.
• You can get money back if you do not use any services. This depends on your insurer, but most major companies offer discounts to members who stay healthy.
• Better service and treatment compared to statutory health insurance.

If you would like more information, please feel free to schedule an appointment here. We can discuss everything together and determine what is best for you.

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