GKV vs PKV Health Insurance Calculator
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FAQs
GKV (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) is Germany's statutory public health insurance. Monthly contributions are income-based, and non-earning family members — children, a partner who doesn't work — can be covered for free under the same policy. PKV (private Krankenversicherung) is individually underwritten insurance with premiums based on your age and health at entry. PKV typically offers faster specialist access and private hospital rooms, but premiums rise with age and each family member requires a separate policy.
Employed workers can only switch to PKV if their gross salary exceeds the Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze (JAEG) — €73,800 in 2025. Self-employed workers and civil servants (Beamte) can choose PKV regardless of income. Expats joining the German health insurance system are subject to the same eligibility rules. Once you are in PKV and past age 55, returning to GKV is very difficult — this decision is effectively permanent.
Your employer contributes the same amount toward your PKV as they would have paid into GKV — capped at the statutory maximum. In 2025, that cap is approximately €421/month for health insurance and €88/month for long-term care. If your PKV premium exceeds these caps, you cover the difference out of pocket. In GKV, the employer contribution automatically scales with your salary, which can be more valuable as income grows.
PKV premiums increase as your statistical healthcare usage rises with age. Insurers are required to build Altersrückstellungen (ageing provisions) into premiums to reduce future increases, but meaningful premium growth typically begins after 50–60. This long-term cost trajectory is the central financial risk of PKV compared to GKV, where contributions only depend on your income, not your age or health history.
Re-entering GKV after age 55 is very difficult and generally only possible if your income falls below the Versicherungspflichtgrenze for at least one full year — for example through reduced hours, a career change, or a sabbatical. This constraint is frequently cited as one of the biggest financial regrets among long-term PKV members, particularly those who took out PKV in their 20s without modelling long-term costs.