Private health insurance (PKV) premiums in Germany are based on the plan you choose, your age when your policy starts, and your health at the time of application. Once coverage begins, your premium does not increase because you get older or because your health changes. German employers contribute up to 50% of your monthly costs — for you and for a non-working spouse or children on your policy — up to a monthly cap. Nursing care insurance and sick pay add-ons qualify for the employer contribution, while travel add-ons do not.
How are Private health insurance (PKV) premiums calculated in Germany?
Private health insurance (PKV) premiums are based on three factors: the plan you choose, your age when your policy starts, and your health at the time of application. Premiums are generally lower for younger and healthier applicants. Once your coverage begins, your premium does not increase because you get older or because your health changes.
What does my German employer contribute toward my Private health insurance (PKV)?
German employers pay up to 50% of your monthly Private health insurance (PKV) costs, up to a fixed monthly cap. The contribution works as follows:
The employer contribution also covers a non-working spouse and any children included on your policy.
Nursing care insurance (Pflegepflichtversicherung) qualifies for the employer contribution.
Sick pay add-ons qualify for the employer contribution.
Travel insurance add-ons do not qualify for the employer contribution.
As of January 1, 2026, the employer contribution is capped at €613.22 per month: up to €508.59 for Private health insurance (PKV) and up to €104.63 for nursing care insurance.
Full details on the cap and the income thresholds are in Income threshold for private health insurance.
This contribution comes from German employment law, so it applies to employers based in Germany. If you live in Germany and work for an employer outside Germany, you pay the full monthly cost yourself, the same as a self-employed customer, unless your employer agrees to contribute voluntarily. More detail is in our article on eligibility for private health insurance when you work for an employer outside Germany.
How can I find out my exact premium and employer contribution?
You can get a personalized offer for Private health insurance (PKV) on our Private health insurance (PKV) page. The offer shows a full breakdown of the monthly cost per person and the employer contribution. The offer is completed online and does not require a call or consultation.
If you select employee status in the quote, the price shown is your own share, with your employer's contribution already deducted. Opening the quote details (i) shows the full monthly premium, the employer contribution, and your share. Public health insurance (GKV) quotes work the same way, so the two are directly comparable.
If you select self-employed or freelance status, there's no employer contribution, so the price shown is the full monthly premium.
Note that the quote shows your share, but that isn't how the money moves once your policy starts. Employees pay the full contribution each month and are reimbursed by their employer through their salary, as explained in how payment works for private health insurance (PKV).
What do I contribute toward my Private health insurance (PKV) if I'm self-employed?
If you're self-employed or freelancing, there's no employer contribution, so you pay the full monthly cost of your Private health insurance (PKV) yourself. This applies to your plan, your nursing care insurance (Pflegepflichtversicherung), and any add-ons you've chosen, as well as to any family members included on your policy.