# German-PKV.de

> German-PKV.de helps international professionals, freelancers and researchers in Germany decide between public (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) and private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung). It explains the income threshold for 2026 (€77,400) and 2027 (€84,150, draft), contributions, the employer contribution, family insurance and what happens to a policy when you leave Germany – honestly, including when public insurance is the better choice. German-PKV.de is a free information and calculator portal and not an insurance broker; on request, enquiries are passed on to specialised experts from a partner network (insurance brokers licensed under § 34d (1) GewO). Not immigration or legal advice. As of October 2026.

## Key facts (with sources)

- Employees in Germany may choose private health insurance only if their regular gross annual salary exceeds the income threshold: €77,400 in 2026 and €84,150 in 2027 (Federal Cabinet decision of 7 October 2026, Bundesrat approval pending; § 6 SGB V).
- Employees who are already privately insured and exempt on 31 December 2026 are subject to a lower 2027 threshold of €80,550 (§ 6 (8) SGB V as amended, draft value).
- If a salary rises above the threshold in an existing job, compulsory public insurance ends at the end of the calendar year – but only if the salary also exceeds the next year's threshold (§ 6 (4) SGB V).
- Anyone who takes up their first job in Germany with a salary above the threshold can join public health insurance voluntarily within three months, without prior insurance periods (§ 9 (1) no. 3 SGB V).
- The minimum gross salary for an EU Blue Card in 2026 is €50,700, or €45,934.20 in shortage occupations (Federal Ministry of the Interior, Federal Gazette of 18 December 2025) – well below the health insurance threshold.
- In 2027 an employee earning above the contribution ceiling pays up to €729.94 a month (childless) or €672.56 (with a child) for public health and long-term care insurance (own calculation: 2.9% additional contribution, draft care reform).
- Employers pay half of a private health insurance premium, up to €613.22 a month in 2026 and about €672.56 in 2027 (scenario); the health part (€508.59 / €557.81) and the long-term care part (€104.63 / €114.75) are capped separately (§ 257 SGB V, § 61 SGB XI).
- Stiftung Warentest found full-cover private tariffs for 35-year-old employees and self-employed people costing €649 to €1,137 a month; only 384 of 1,245 tariff combinations met its minimum criteria (Finanztest 3/2025).
- In public health insurance a spouse without own income (up to €565 a month in 2026) and children living in Germany are insured free of charge; in private insurance every person pays a separate premium (§ 10 SGB V).
- A German private health insurance policy continues if you move to another EU/EEA country; if you move elsewhere, it ends unless agreed otherwise, and a temporary move can be bridged with a dormant policy (§ 207 (3) VVG, § 15 (3) MB/KK 2009).
- From age 55, returning from private to public health insurance is usually ruled out if you were not publicly insured in the previous five years (§ 6 (3a) SGB V).

## Operator

- , insurance broker licensed under § 34d (1) GewO, broker register no.  (www.vermittlerregister.info)
- Contact: , 

## Main pages

- [Krankenversicherung für Fachkräfte aus dem Ausland: GKV oder PKV?](https://german-pkv.de/de/): Krankenversicherung für Fachkräfte aus dem Ausland: wer gesetzlich versichert ist, ab wann privat geht (84.150 € 2027) und was Arbeitgeber wissen müssen.
- [Private health insurance Germany FAQ: 15 answers for newcomers](https://german-pkv.de/faq/): Private health insurance Germany FAQ: 15 short answers on eligibility, the 2027 threshold, costs, family, Blue Card and leaving Germany – with sources.
- [Private health insurance Germany: your honest answer in 60 seconds](https://german-pkv.de/): Private health insurance in Germany: free 60-second decider with the 2027 threshold (€84,150), your family and an exit plan for leaving Germany. In English.
- [Guides: health insurance in Germany for expats](https://german-pkv.de/guides/): Expat health insurance in Germany explained in English: public or private, the 2027 threshold, family, freelancers, Blue Card and leaving Germany.
- [Contact](https://german-pkv.de/kontakt/): Contact German-PKV.de: send an enquiry or request a call-back – a specialised expert from our partner network gets in touch free of charge and without obligation.
- [Glossary: German health insurance terms explained in English](https://german-pkv.de/lexikon/): German health insurance glossary in English: JAEG, BBG, Zusatzbeitrag, Familienversicherung, Anwartschaft, Basistarif and more – 40 terms, with sources.
- [Editorial policy: how our content is created](https://german-pkv.de/redaktion/): How we research: primary sources, clearly labelled drafts and forecasts, disclosed calculation methods and regular updates of all content.
- [Tools: health insurance calculators for Germany](https://german-pkv.de/tools/): Free health insurance calculators for Germany: public vs private cost comparison, 2027 income threshold check and a leaving-Germany planner. No sign-up.
- [About us: how German-PKV.de works](https://german-pkv.de/ueber-uns/): What German-PKV.de is: a free information and calculator portal. We explain clearly with sources and, on request, connect you with specialised experts.

## Guides

- [Health insurance in Germany with a Blue Card: public or private?](https://german-pkv.de/blue-card/): Health insurance in Germany with a Blue Card: why most holders are insured publicly by law, when private is allowed (€84,150 in 2027) and what the visa needs.
- [Private health insurance Germany cost 2026/2027: what newcomers really pay](https://german-pkv.de/cost/): Private health insurance Germany cost: €649–1,137 a month at 35 (Finanztest), half paid by your employer. 2027 comparison with public cover and families.
- [Private health insurance Germany for employees: who may switch, what the employer pays](https://german-pkv.de/employees/): Private health insurance for employees in Germany: only above €77,400 (2026) or €84,150 (2027, draft). When you may switch and what your employer pays.
- [Private health insurance Germany with a family: why public is often the better deal](https://german-pkv.de/family/): Private health insurance in Germany for a family: every person pays, while public insurance covers spouse and children free. 2027 numbers, rules and pitfalls.
- [Health insurance Germany for freelancers and the self-employed](https://german-pkv.de/freelancers/): Health insurance in Germany for freelancers: who may join public insurance, why non-EU newcomers often must go private, 2027 costs and sick pay explained.
- [Health insurance in Germany with the Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)](https://german-pkv.de/opportunity-card/): Health insurance in Germany with the Opportunity Card: what missions ask for (often €30,000 incoming cover) and when a job brings public insurance.
- [Public vs private health insurance in Germany: the honest comparison for newcomers](https://german-pkv.de/public-or-private/): Public vs private health insurance in Germany for expats: who may choose, 2027 costs, family, old age and leaving Germany – honestly compared, with sources.
- [Private health insurance Germany for a short stay: why it rarely pays off](https://german-pkv.de/short-stay/): Private health insurance in Germany for a short stay of 1–3 years: minimum terms, lost ageing reserves and what happens when you leave. Honest 2027 guide.
- [Disadvantages of private health insurance in Germany: what nobody tells newcomers](https://german-pkv.de/disadvantages/): Disadvantages of private health insurance in Germany: premiums in old age, family costs, the restricted way back and leaving Germany – with sources.
- [Employer contribution to private health insurance in Germany: €613.22 in 2026 – and 2027](https://german-pkv.de/employer-contribution/): Employer contribution to private health insurance in Germany: up to €613.22 a month in 2026, about €672.56 in 2027 (scenario). Rules, family and examples.
- [Private health insurance Germany in English: who offers English service – and what stays German](https://german-pkv.de/english-speaking-insurers/): Private health insurance in Germany in English: which insurers and intermediaries offer English service, why contracts often stay German and what to check.
- [Private health insurance companies in Germany: facts, not a ranking](https://german-pkv.de/insurers/): Private health insurance companies in Germany: major insurers with insured numbers, BaFin complaint ratios and English service – plus criteria to compare.
- [Private health insurance and leaving Germany: what happens to your cover](https://german-pkv.de/leaving-germany/): Private health insurance when leaving Germany: EU move vs rest of the world, dormant policy costs, ageing reserves and coming back – clearly explained.
- [Private health insurance Germany with pre-existing conditions: how underwriting works](https://german-pkv.de/pre-existing-conditions/): Private health insurance in Germany with pre-existing conditions: health questions, risk surcharges, exclusions, the basic tariff and the anonymous pre-check.
- [Health insurance when returning to Germany: which system applies?](https://german-pkv.de/returning-to-germany/): Health insurance when returning to Germany: why your last insurance decides, which countries count, the one-month deadline and the surcharge – 2026/27.
- [Switch from private to public health insurance in Germany: when it works – and when not](https://german-pkv.de/switch-back-to-public/): Switch from private to public health insurance in Germany: routes under 55, why it is usually closed from 55, family insurance and cancelling your policy.
- [Switch from public to private health insurance in Germany: steps, deadlines, pitfalls](https://german-pkv.de/switch-to-private/): Switch from public to private health insurance in Germany: when employees may switch, the two-week exit rule, notice periods and the right order of steps.
- [TK vs private health insurance in Germany: a fair comparison for expats](https://german-pkv.de/tk-vs-private/): TK vs private health insurance in Germany: 2026 costs, family cover, English service, leaving Germany and the way back – a fair, sourced comparison.
- [Private health insurance Germany when unemployed: rules and deadlines](https://german-pkv.de/unemployed/): Private health insurance in Germany when unemployed: unemployment benefit and public cover, the exemption, what the Agency pays and all deadlines – 2026.
- [Private health insurance in Germany for doctors: the 2027 numbers](https://german-pkv.de/doctors/): Private health insurance in Germany for doctors: which pay grades reach the €84,150 threshold in 2027, how on-call pay counts and what to check as a newcomer.
- [Health insurance in Germany for Indians: Blue Card, family, going home](https://german-pkv.de/indian-professionals/): Health insurance in Germany for Indians: public or private with a Blue Card, cover for spouse, children and visiting parents – and going home.
- [Private health insurance in Germany for IT professionals in 2027](https://german-pkv.de/it-professionals/): Private health insurance in Germany for IT professionals: when your salary is enough (€84,150 in 2027), how bonuses and stock count, and when to stay public.
- [Health insurance in Germany for PhD candidates and students over 30](https://german-pkv.de/phd-over-30/): Health insurance in Germany for PhD candidates and students over 30: why student cover ends, what public insurance costs in 2026 and when private fits.
- [Health insurance in Germany for researchers and postdocs](https://german-pkv.de/researchers/): Health insurance in Germany for researchers: public with a contract, the § 18d route for scholarship holders since 2024, guest stays and the 2026 costs.
- [Health insurance in Germany for UK citizens after Brexit](https://german-pkv.de/uk-citizens/): Health insurance in Germany for UK citizens after Brexit: what the EU–UK agreement keeps, GHIC and S1, whether UK periods count and the 2027 threshold.
- [Health insurance in Germany for Americans: a guide for US citizens](https://german-pkv.de/us-citizens/): Health insurance in Germany for Americans: why a US plan usually isn't enough, why US periods don't count, the 2027 threshold and moving back.

## Tools: health insurance calculators for Germany

- [Public vs private health insurance Germany calculator: your 2027 cost](https://german-pkv.de/decider/): Public vs private health insurance Germany calculator: your 2027 cost, employer share, family and ten years compared – free, in English, assumptions shown.
- [Private health insurance Germany income threshold 2027: €84,150 – checker and data](https://german-pkv.de/income-threshold-2027/): Income threshold for private health insurance in Germany: €77,400 in 2026, €84,150 in 2027 (draft). Check your salary and your earliest switch date – free.
- [Cancel health insurance in Germany when leaving? The leaving-Germany planner](https://german-pkv.de/cancel-health-insurance-germany/): Cancel health insurance in Germany when you move abroad? Free planner: cancel, pause with a dormant policy or keep – with costs, deadlines and steps.

## German-PKV.de auf Deutsch

- [Krankenversicherung mit Blue Card: gesetzlich, privat, Grenze 2027](https://german-pkv.de/de/blue-card/): Krankenversicherung mit Blue Card: warum die meisten Inhaber gesetzlich versichert sind, ab wann privat geht (84.150 € in 2027) und was das Visum verlangt.
- [Chancenkarte und Krankenversicherung: Nachweis, Nebenjob, erster Job](https://german-pkv.de/de/chancenkarte/): Chancenkarte und Krankenversicherung: was Auslandsvertretungen verlangen (oft Incoming-Police ab 30.000 €), wann ein Job in die GKV führt und was danach gilt.
- [Private Krankenversicherung auf Englisch: was geht, was deutsch bleibt](https://german-pkv.de/de/pkv-auf-englisch/): Private Krankenversicherung auf Englisch: wo es englischen Service gibt, warum Vertrag und Gesundheitsfragen oft deutsch bleiben und worauf Sie achten.