The cheapest health insurance in Germany depends on your situation, because German law requires different types of coverage in different circumstances. The lowest monthly contribution is not always the cheapest overall, since a policy can cost you more if it does not cover treatment you need. Public health insurance (GKV), Private health insurance (PKV), Expat health insurance, and Long-term expat health insurance each fit different eligibility and income situations. Cost should be weighed against coverage and against what the law requires in your case.
What is the cheapest health insurance in Germany?
The cheapest health insurance in Germany depends on your situation, because German law requires different types of coverage in different circumstances. The lowest monthly contribution is not always the cheapest overall, since a policy can cost you more if it does not cover treatment you need. For example, Expat health insurance at €72/month is not the cheapest option if you end up paying out of pocket for a pre-existing condition that Public health insurance (GKV) would have covered. Weigh cost against coverage and against what the law requires in your case.
Which health insurance can I get if I'm employed at a German company?
Employees of a German-registered company who are under 55 and earn at least €603 per month and no more than €77,400 per year gross are enrolled in Public health insurance (GKV) and accepted without further requirements. The combined health and long-term care contribution is around 21% of earnings, and your employer pays half of it. Employees earning above €77,400 gross per year can stay in Public health insurance (GKV) or choose Private health insurance (PKV) instead.
Which health insurance can I get if I'm self-employed, employed abroad, retired, or living on investment or rental income?
People in these situations are usually voluntary members of the German health insurance system rather than compulsory members, which means they can choose between systems but must meet the entry requirements of whichever one they pick:
Public health insurance (GKV), if your state coverage in the EU/EEA, Switzerland, or the UK ended less than 3 months ago and ran for at least 12 consecutive months, or for 24 months within the last 5 years. Contributions are around 21% of income, with a minimum of roughly €260/month.
Private health insurance (PKV), if you are in generally good health and your gross annual income is above the freelancer threshold, which also applies if you are employed by a company outside Germany. The income thresholds for Private health insurance are updated each year and listed separately.
Expat health insurance, from €72/month, for people who qualify for neither Public health insurance (GKV) nor Private health insurance (PKV) and are staying in Germany for up to 5 years.
Long-term expat health insurance, also for people who qualify for neither Public health insurance (GKV) nor Private health insurance (PKV), for stays beyond 5 years or when a policy with no time limit is required.
What health insurance can students get in Germany?
Students under 30 enrolled in a degree program at a state-accredited German university are covered by Public health insurance (GKV) at the discounted student rate of around €160/month. They can take Expat health insurance instead, but only once a public provider has exempted them from Public health insurance and confirmed it to the university with the M10 form — and that exemption cannot be reversed for the rest of their studies. Students over 30, students at a non-accredited university, and those attending a Studienkolleg usually do not qualify for the student rate and typically take Expat health insurance instead.
Can I add my spouse or children to my health insurance as dependents?
With Public health insurance (GKV), the main policyholder can add a spouse and children free of charge if each dependent earns less than €565/month from sources such as a pension, rent, or interest, or less than €603/month from a mini-job. Dependents receive the same coverage as the main policyholder, which often makes this the cheapest way to be insured in Germany. With Private health insurance (PKV), you can also add dependents, but each one must pass a health check and is charged a full premium. Expat health insurance and Long-term expat health insurance have no family coverage, so every person — including a spouse and each child — needs an individual policy.
What are the eligibility requirements for public and private health insurance?
For Public health insurance (GKV), employees of a German-registered company who are under 55 and earn below the Private health insurance (PKV) threshold are accepted without further questions, and pre-existing conditions never affect eligibility. Everyone else joins as a voluntary member and must show prior state coverage in the EU/EEA, Switzerland, or the UK that ended less than 3 months ago and ran for at least 12 consecutive months, or for 24 months within the last 5 years. Separate rules apply to PhD researchers, employees over 55, and high earners, and are set out in full in who is eligible for Public health insurance. For Private health insurance (PKV), you must be in generally good health and meet the income threshold for your situation.
Do providers and plans differ within the same system, and how do I choose?
Differences depend on which system you are in:
Public health insurance (GKV): the general contribution is set by the state, so basic coverage is identical across providers. Each provider adds its own contribution of about 2–4% of your income — TK is among the lowest at 2.96%, a spread of roughly €5–20/month depending on income. Because the cost difference is small, English-language customer support and processing speed matter more, and we generally recommend TK, then BARMER or DAK.
Private health insurance (PKV): eligibility, premiums, and coverage are tightly regulated, so providers differ little, and the practical differences come down to customer support and ease of use.
Expat health insurance: an option for people who qualify for neither Public health insurance (GKV) nor Private health insurance (PKV). Incoming policies are broadly similar and last up to 5 years. They generally exclude pre-existing conditions and preventive checkups, so they mainly cover emergencies and conditions that arise after the policy starts. Our Expat health insurance starts at €72/month.
Long-term expat health insurance: a separate product, also for people who qualify for neither Public health insurance (GKV) nor Private health insurance (PKV), used for stays longer than 5 years or when the immigration office requires a policy with no time limit.