What is it about?
GKV is part of the German social insurance system. Your status determines compulsory, voluntary or contribution-free family membership.
On this page
- Who must have health insurance?
- Differences between private and statutory health insurance
- How are GKV contributions calculated and who pays?
- What is the contribution assessment ceiling?
- What are the main GKV benefits?
- Statutory health insurance for the self-employed
- Student health insurance
- Who can switch health funds?
Who must have health insurance?
People in Germany generally need health insurance. Compulsory GKV membership applies particularly to many employees below the annual earnings threshold, apprentices and, under specific conditions, students and pensioners. Others may have voluntary statutory or private cover. Family membership has separate eligibility rules. Your actual insurance status matters, rather than occupation or one month’s salary alone.
Differences between private and statutory health insurance
GKV contributions depend on assessable income, while PKV premiums depend on the individual tariff and calculation at entry. GKV provides a statutory core of benefits with health-fund extras; PKV benefits follow the contract. If you qualify for both, consider family circumstances, health assessment, retirement income and restrictions on switching systems later.
How are GKV contributions calculated and who pays?
The general rate is 14.6%, plus your health fund’s additional contribution. A reduced 14.0% rate can apply without statutory sick-pay entitlement. Employees and employers generally share contributions on employment income equally, including the additional contribution. Self-employed members normally pay themselves. Assessable income depends on insurance status; long-term care insurance is charged separately under its own rules.
What is the contribution assessment ceiling?
The ceiling limits income used to calculate health and long-term care contributions. In 2026 it is €5,812.50 monthly or €69,750 annually. Income above it does not increase the contribution further. This differs from the annual earnings threshold determining compulsory membership for employees, generally €77,400 in 2026. Both figures are adjusted regularly.
What are the main GKV benefits?
Statutory cover includes medical and hospital treatment, medicines, preventive care and certain rehabilitation benefits. Eligibility, co-payments and limits follow statutory rules. Health funds can offer different extra benefits, bonus programmes and service. We compare what matters to you rather than the additional contribution alone. Private supplementary policies can address specific gaps.
Statutory health insurance for the self-employed
Many primarily self-employed people can remain voluntary GKV members if eligibility conditions are met. Contributions generally reflect overall financial capacity, subject to a minimum assessment basis and maximum ceiling. They are often assessed provisionally and later adjusted using the tax assessment. Sick-pay cover needs a suitable choice. Special rules apply to groups such as members of the artists’ social insurance scheme.
Student health insurance
Students can often initially use family cover if age, income and other conditions are met. Student compulsory membership with its own contribution generally follows, normally until age 30, with possible exceptions. Employment and study circumstances can affect status. An exemption in favour of PKV can be binding for the relevant compulsory membership and should be assessed carefully before choosing.
Who can switch health funds?
Compulsory and voluntary members can generally choose another eligible health fund. A twelve-month commitment and a switching period of two full calendar months usually apply. Additional contribution increases or certain status changes can create special options; optional tariffs may have different commitments. The new fund handles notification of the old one for a regular GKV switch. We check timing, benefits and continuous cover.
Who is it for?
For employees, self-employed people, students and families reviewing statutory cover or a change of health fund.
What we look at together
- Insurance status and assessable income
- Additional contribution, extra benefits and service
- Family cover, sick pay and switching rules
What helps for our first conversation?
- Current health fund and insurance status
- Income and family circumstances
- Benefit preferences and contribution notice
Your topic is enough for a first message. We agree on a suitable way to exchange personal documents or medical details later.