What are the main differences between public and private health insurance?

Public health insurance:

• Everyone can take out public insurance.
• Your contribution depends on your salary: the more you earn, the more you have to pay.
• Premiums can reach up to € 1,261.31 a month which you share with your employer. As a self-employed person, you must cover the full costs yourself.
• Coverage is quite limited and benefits can be cancelled at any time.

Private health insurance:

• Employees with a salary above the annual income threshold of € 77,400, self-employed persons, civil servants and students are eligible for private insurance.
• Your monthly premium does not depend on your salary.
• Premiums depend on your health status, the desired scope of benefits and your age of entry: the earlier you decide to switch to ottonova’s private health insurance, the lower your monthly premiums will be.
• Coverage is much more extensive and benefits are guaranteed for the entire duration of your contract.

ottonova benefit

Fixed premiums guaranteed until end of 2026 – extended in popular tariffs

Good news: we’re extending our fixed premiums guarantee until at least the end of 2026 – for our Pro-tariffs and our study tariffs. Enjoy continued premium stability in all tariffs covered by this guarantee.

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Up to € 4,371 annual savings potential while getting much more benefits for your health?

Find out why private insurance with ottonova is worthwhile for you:

Your health in the best of care.

Public health insurance can be quite limited. With our tariffs, you can close this gap forever. Reimbursement for prescribed medication, alternative practitioners, glasses, dentist invoices and chief physician treatment are just some of the benefits of private insurance that public insurance does not cover.

Your savings potential.

In contrast to public health insurance, your premium with ottonova is calculated independently of your income. This means that you could save up to € 4,371 per year - with a higher scope of benefits at the same time.

Access to doctors and specialists.

If you are sick, quick help is our top priority. As a privately insured person, you avoid long waiting times and having to get referrals from general physicians. Instead, you can go directly to the specialist doctor of your choice.

Digital services in one app.

Zero paperwork guaranteed! We offer English-speaking support via phone and chat that helps you find English-speaking doctors in your area and answers all of your insurance and health-related questions, as well as easy claim and fast reimbursement via our app.

Are you ready to be part of ottonova's digital health insurance?

Go ahead now to save time and money by choosing our digital private health insurance, with English-speaking support in real time!

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Premium health insurance for little money.

You can save a lot of money if you sign up with ottonova, and still get much better coverage compared to public health insurance. Non-EU Expats can save even more, by joining our special expat tariff.

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Selected: 0/2

First Class Expats

€196

€500 deductible

Deductible

0 %

• for Non-EU Expats only
• Accommodation in private room
• Dental prostheses: 90%
• World-wide coverage up to 2 months

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Business Class

€321

€500 €1,250 deductible

Deductible

0% 10% 25%

max €500 per year

max €1,250 per year

• Accommodation in double room
• Dental prostheses: 80%

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Business ClassPro

€331

€0 deductible

Deductible

0 % 10 % 25 %

• Contribution refund
• Accommodation in double room
• Dental prostheses: 80%

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First Class

€333

€500 €1,250 deductible

Deductible

0% 10% 25%

max €500 per year

max €1,250 per year

• Accommodation in single room
• Dental prostheses: 90%

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First ClassPro

€358

€0 deductible

Deductible

0% 10% 25%

• Contribution refund
• 9 months premium-free while on parental leave
• Accommodation in single room
• Dental prostheses: 90%

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Premium Economy

€284

€1,000 €500 deductible

Deductible

10 % 50 %

• Accommodation in double room
• Specialist via ottonova concierge
• Dental prostheses: 60%

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You selected the following tariffs:

Exemplary monthly rate for employees	Public insurance Basic insurance protection €648	Experts' recommendation €500 deductible Experts' recommendation First Class Expats Best coverage for Expats €196 €196 Change €500 deductible	€500 €1,000 deductible Premium Economy Good coverage with lowest premium €284 €284 Change €500 €1,000 deductible	€500 €1,250 deductible Business Class Good price-performance ratio €321 €321 Change €500 €1,250 deductible	€0 deductible Business Class Pro Great performance without deductible €331 €331 Change €0 deductible	€500 €1,250 deductible First Class Excellent coverage €333 €333 Change €500 €1,250 deductible	€0 deductible First Class Pro+ Outstanding coverage without deductible €358 €358 Change €0 deductible
	Public insurance €648	First Class Expats €196	Premium Economy €284 €284 Change	Business Class €321 €321 Change	Business Class Pro €331 €331 Change	First Class €333 €333 Change	First Class Pro+ €358 €358 Change
	Public insurance	Tariff First Class Expats	Tariff Premium Economy	Tariff Business Class	Tariff Business Class Pro	Tariff First Class	Tariff First Class Pro+
Deductible Adjust your deductible according to your individual needs.	Now simply personalize:	10% 10% max €500 per year	10% 50% 10% 50% max €1,000 per year max €500 per year	0% 10% 25% 0% 10% 25% max €500 per year max €1,250 per year	0% 10% 25% 0% 10% 25%	0% 10% 25% 0% 10% 25% max €500 per year max €1,250 per year	0% 10% 25% 0% 10% 25%
No-claim bonus
Deductible	up to €10 co-payment for medicines, remedies and aids as well as per day in hospital, max. 2% of income, 1% for chronically ill patients	10% per invoice and max €500 per year	10% per invoice and max €500 per year 50% per invoice and max €1,000 per year	10% per invoice and max €500 per year 25% per invoice and max €1,250 per year	No deductible	10% per invoice and max €500 per year 25% per invoice and max €1,250 per year	No deductible
Monthly contribution	€648	€196	€284	€321	€331	€333	€358
No-claim bonus	none	none	none	none	up to 1 annual average monthly premium	none	up to 1 annual average monthly premium
Outpatient services
Appointment booking through our Concierge
Directly to the specialist, access to private doctors			via ottonova concierge
Corrective lenses, e.g. glasses/contact lenses		up to €300 in 2 years	up to €150 in 3 years	up to €300 in 2 years	up to €300 in 2 years	up to €500 in 2 years	up to €500 in 2 years
Elective Vision Correction Surgery (for example, LASIK)			up to €1,000	up to €2,000	up to €2,000	up to €3,000	up to €5,000
Alternative practitioners		up to €1,000	up to €500	up to €1,000	up to €1,000	up to €1,500	up to €2,000
Inpatient services
Free choice of doctor (including head of department)
Accommodation	Multi-bed room	Private room	Double room	Double room	Double room	Private or double room	Private room
Assumption of costs for treatment in private clinics
Dental services
Dental treatments	0 - 100 %	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%	100%
Dental prostheses	10 - 65 %	60 - 90%	60%	80%	80%	90%	90%
Professional dental cleaning	small subsidy possible	100% 2x per insurance year, max. €125 per treatment	100% 1x per insurance year, max. €125 per treatment	100% 2x per insurance year, max. €125 per treatment	100% 2x per insurance year, max. €125 per treatment	100% 2x per insurance year, max. €125 per treatment	100% unlimited reimbursement
Other services
Bonus for preventive health care	potentially
Worldwide coverage and repatriation
Preventive medical checkups without age limits
Coverage guaranteed for a lifetime
Contribution-free during parental leave	potentially						(up to 9 months when receiving parental allowance)
This list does not represent a conclusive comparison between the scope of the public health insurance coverage and the scope of coverage of the ottonova tariffs. The coverage details described are an excerpt from the tariff benefits and highlight differences. For comprehensive advice, please contact our experts. Please find a summary of the coverage details of the ottonova tariffs here. And for full descriptions of the ottonova tariffs click here. The terms and conditions of the individual insurance contract shall prevail and apply. The English translation is a non-binding version for your information only and has no legally binding character. The contract language will be German only.

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Public insurance First Class Expats Premium Economy Business Class Business Class Pro First Class First Class Pro+

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First Class Expats

Best coverage for Expats/span>

Premium Economy

Lowest premium

Business Class

Great price-performance ratio

Business Class

Great price-performance ratio

First Class

Excellent coverage

First Class

Excellent coverage

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You would like to know how high your contribution is with us?

Unlike public insurance, your premium at ottonova is not dependent upon your income. This means a huge saving potential for you. Simply tell us your age and employment status to find out how much you can save.

Get a consultation View full coverage

A comparison that is worthwhile for you.

Our example of a 32-year-old employee shows you the savings potential with our Business Class tariff compared to various public health insurance plans.

You want to know more about the benefits ottonova has to offer?

Then get a free consultation now and let our team help you find the right tariff for you!

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What's covered?

Discover top-notch benefits for your health!

Medical treatments

• 100 % reimbursement for outpatient medical treatment and direct specialist treatment
• Free choice of physician and clinic as well as more physicians to choose from through access to private practices and clinics
• Reimbursement for many treatment methods in contrast to public health insurance in significantly more cases: e.g. acupuncture, alternative practitioners, chiropractors, elective vision correction surgery, as well as preventative treatments without age limits

Alternative healing methods

• We reimburse treatments from naturopaths with alternative treatment methods such as homeopathy or natural cures
• 100 % reimbursement for alternative medicine methods administered by a doctor

Medication

• You need medication? All prescribed medicines (as well as high-cost medicines) are reimbursed
• Your advantage: Even medicines that your doctor prescribes for you, which do not necessarily require a prescription, such as headache tablets or nasal spray, are also covered by ottonova

Natural healing methods and medical aids

• 100 % reimbursement for natural healing methods such as massages, physiotherapy, ergotherapy and more
• Do you wear glasses? We also cover the costs of vision aids like glasses or contact lenses with up to 500 € every 2 years, depending on the tariff
• Medical aids such as hearing aids, prosthetics or wheelchairs are also reimbursed at 100 %

Dental health

• 100 % coverage of dental treatments like fillings or root canals
• Would you like to have your teeth professionally cleaned? We reimburse you for professional dental cleanings up to two times per insurance year or as often as you want with our First Class Pro+ plan
• Up to 90 % reimbursement for dental implants like inlays, onlays, dental implants crowns, bridges or prosthetic teeth
• Does your child need braces? ottonova reimburses up to 100 % of orthodontic treatments for children (up to the age of 21)

Family & Pregnancy

• Fertility treatments reimbursement up to €3,000 during the first 36 month, afterwards unlimited (after prior approval in text form, in our Business and First Class plans)
• 100 % reimbursement for prenatal courses (also for partners), pregnancy and postnatal therapy
• Comprehensive prenatal diagnostics (3x during pregnancy)
• Midwifery services before, during and after the birth as well as intensive care up to three times a day
• If you would like to give birth in a birthing center, ottonova also offers corresponding services (Business and First Class plans)
• Lump sum for childbirth € 400 per delivery (Business Class plans) or € 600 per delivery (First Class plans)
• Many parents prefer to stay with their smaller children when they are being treated in a hospital. Therefore, we cover the accommodation costs for parental accompaniment (rooming-in). This applies to children up to 14 years of age
• With the First Class Pro+ plan, you pay no premiums for up to 9 months when you receive parental allowance

Insurance protection abroad

• Up to 6 months worldwide coverage at no extra charge
• Unlimited insurance coverage within the European Economic Area
• Reimbursement of medical transportation to Germany from foreign countries

Time-saving digital services
– all in one app.

We offer you everything you need to skip the paperwork and make your health insurance as easy as possible.

We'll do the work for you.

• Appointment service Our Concierge service arranges your medical appointments.
• Health advice Answers all your health and medical insurance questions
• Service abroad Fast, reliable & digital at your side for help.

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Digital doctor’s visit

• Video Consultations with our Partner TeleClinic Don’t want to leave your home? No problem! TeleClinic doctors are available to provide you with digital consultations 24/7, including Sundays and public holidays.
• Save Time Receive medical certificates and prescriptions through telemedicine consultations. As fully insured ottonova-member, you’ll often benefit from priority consultations within 30 minutes.
• Second Opinion Wondering if a procedure is really necessary? We’ll help you get a well-founded second opinion.

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Our app - a real multi-talent

• Keep track Find all the tariff information in your profile at a glance and change it if necessary.
• Fast refunds of your invoices Upload your invoice via app - receive money back within a few days.
• Perfectly organized, without paperwork We sort your documents and events chronologically in your app.

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Personal advice, that really helps you out.

Sign up for a free consultation with our English-speaking insurance experts to find the best tariff for you.

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FAQ

How can I sign up?

To help you with our online sign-up process, we'll set up an appointment to chat on the phone. We can answer any questions you might have, and guide you through the steps, one at a time.

Get a Consultation now!

What happens to my contract if I leave?

You're free to go! No wiggling out of a tricky contract, no matter which health insurance tariff you choose. If you leave Germany sooner, simply contact us and attach your deregistration form from the German Immigration Office - an Abmeldungsbescheinigung. We'll close your contract and wish you the best of luck on your journey. Promise!

Which tariff should I choose?

We have different full-insurance options at ottonova. All tariffs are solid and built to last. If you plan on staying in Germany for longer than five years, you can choose between Premium Economy Class, Business Class and First Class.

If you are here on a limited permit and plan to stay in Germany less than five years – or simply not sure how long you'll be here - we also offer a special Expat tariff, which provides premium coverage to keep you healthy and happy throughout your stay in Germany. For a full overview of the services offered in our Expat tariff, click here.

We help you find the best option for your personal needs – start with getting a consultation with our English-speaking experts now!

Why is the Expat tariff cheaper?

Normally, private insurance plans help you to save for your future - you'll pay more now, so that your premiums don't rise later. But if you're only planning on staying in Germany for a short time - less than 60 months - then there's no need to set this extra money aside.

Get a Consultation to get started!

Why is the Expat tariff only available for non-EU expats?

The laws in Germany only allow residents with a limited residency permit to sign up for expat plans. Unfortunately, this means we can only offer this special tariff to expats who are here on a permit, and not those who can live in Germany without any type of visa.

How often do premiums increase?

As a regulated health insurance, we cannot just increase premiums any time we want. Premiums can increase when actual health costs in general differ more than 5% from what we calculated. This can only happen due to inflation and rising medical costs.

However, this will never happen for single individuals but rather for all insured people at the same time. Specifically, we cannot increase your premiums because you get sick or because you get older. We also cannot terminate your contract for those reasons. We guarantee you coverage for a lifetime when you sign up.

Can I sign up from abroad?

You can start your sign-up process from abroad. As soon as you arrive in Germany, we will organize a general check-up with an English-speaking nurse for you. When we receive the results, we will be able to finalize your policy.

Does ottonova help with my visa application?

Definitely! ottonova is a fully licensed German health insurance and fulfills all regulatory requirements, unlike other providers such as Mawista, Cigna or Allianz Worldwide Care.

We are regulated in § 257 SGB V, which is necessary for your visa applications. This also includes the Expat tariff.

How can I cancel my current insurance?

We can help you write your cancellation letter for your current insurer and send it to you by email. Piece of cake!

Can I have top-up insurance with ottonova?

If you’re insured in the public system, we can also offer you one of our top-up insurances. We can offer Dental Top-Up and Hospital Top-Up tariffs. You can give us a call and we will help you find the best option for you!