GKV vs PKV Health Insurance Calculator
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FAQs
GKV (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) is Germany's statutory public health insurance, with income-based contributions and free coverage for non-earning family members. PKV (private Krankenversicherung) is private insurance with risk-based premiums — typically cheaper when young and healthy, but premiums rise with age. PKV often offers better benefits including private hospital rooms and faster specialist access.
Employed workers must earn above the Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze (JAEG) — €73,800 in 2025, approximately €75,300 in 2026. Self-employed workers and Beamte (civil servants) can join PKV at any income level. Once in PKV, returning to GKV is difficult after age 55.
Your employer pays the same amount toward your PKV as they would have contributed to GKV — but capped at the legal maximum. For 2025, this is approximately €421.76/month for health and €87.98/month for long-term care. If your PKV premium exceeds those caps, you pay the difference yourself.
PKV premiums increase with age as your statistical healthcare usage rises. Insurers build in mandatory aging provisions (Altersrückstellungen) to soften increases, but expect premium growth after 50–60. This is the key financial risk of PKV versus GKV, where contributions only track your income.
This is very difficult. After age 55, re-entry to GKV as an employed person is generally only possible if your income drops below the JAEG threshold. Switching back is one of the most common regrets among PKV members — it should be treated as a long-term commitment.