The health insurance system in Germany is split between public health insurance and private health insurance. Most people, around 90 percent of the German population, are covered by the public health insurance system. In order to be covered by a private health insurance in Germany, there are some standards one needs to follow. For example, employees need to earn above the ‘compulsory insurance limit’ of €64,350 per year (2022). Freelancers and self-employed have the option to take a public or private health insurance, regardless or their income. Therefore, a private health insurance in Germany is mostly popular among self-employed and high earners.
There are a few advantages of having a private health insurance in Germany. For example, you will typically receive better care, there are less waiting times, many treatments are covered, and you usually only pay for what you require, because a lot of private health insurances offer reimbursement on services that are not needed. The downsides of having a private health insurance in Germany can be that medical bills must be paid in advance and that family members are not automatically insured into the same health insurance policy. The cost of a private health insurance in Germany depends on your age and health condition when you sign up. In such circumstances, many insurance companies offer a basic rate with a higher personal contribution.
To conclude: private health insurance for Germany makes the most sense if you are self-employed or earn a high income, and are relatively young and healthy at the moment of entering the private health insurance system. Private health insurance can then be a good option to save money while getting a better service.
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