The maximum rate is the maximum amount that can be charged for public health insurance premiums
Public health insurance (GKV) premiums are calculated as a percentage of an individual’s income up to the premium assessment ceiling – currently set at €59,850 per year. However, this is not related to the treshold. The current contribution rate is 14.6% plus an average provider surcharge of 1.60%.
The maximum rate for public health insurance lies therefore at €977.55 per month. These figures include the provider surcharge which is 1.60% and the long-term nursing-care contribution.
However, contribution rates and the premium assessment ceiling are widely expected to rise drastically in the future, due in part to the impact of the cost of caring for a rapidly aging population. These sharp rises are particularly significant for self-employed people, who have to cover the full cost of health insurance themselves – unlike employees, who can have up to 50% of their premiums covered by their employer.