Switching to Private Health Insurance in 2026: Why now is the right time.

For employees, switching to private health insurance could become more difficult from 2027 onwards. As part of the healthcare reform, the annual income threshold (JAEG) is expected to increase significantly. At the same time, contributions to statutory health insurance are expected to rise.

  • Annual income threshold (JAEG) 2026: €77,400 ➜ 2027: est. €84,600 Higher barriers to switching to private health insurance

  • Max. monthly public health contribution 2026: €1,260€ ➜ 2027: est. €1,400 Rising statutory health insurance contributions expected

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Deadline for cancelling your public health insurance: 30 September

Switching to private health insurance will be more difficult in 2027: Now is the time to act

With the confirmed increase in the annual income threshold (JAEG) to an estimated €84,600 from 2027, the requirements for switching to private health insurance (PKV) will become significantly stricter. If you are currently insured with a public health insurance provider and want to switch under the current conditions, now is the time to act:


  1. Apply for private health insurance and choose 1 December 2026 as your start date
    Submit your application in time and select 1 December 2026 as the start date. Only cancel your public health insurance once your PKV application has been accepted.

  2. Cancel your public health insurance by 30 September 2026
    Submit your cancellation after your PKV application has been accepted and no later than 30 September 2026. Due to the two-month notice period, your switch to private health insurance will take effect on 1 December 2026.

A look at the German public health insurance reform

The German government has approved a reform of the statutory health insurance. The reason: a multi-billion euro funding gap in the GKV system. For you, this could mean higher premiums to pay, rising co-payments, and fewer benefits in the future.

Illustration Geldschein

Higher contributions

An additional increase in the contribution assessment ceiling could raise the maximum contribution to statutory health and compulsory nursing care insurance to over €1,400 per month in 2027. By comparison, the maximum contribution in 2026 is around €1,260.

Illustration Infozeichen

50% higher co-payment for medications

Starting in 2027, publicly insured individuals will have to pay significantly more out of pocket for prescribed medications. The co-payment will increase from the current €5–10 to €7.50–15 per medication – a 50% increase.

Benefit cuts

There will be restrictions on coverage. For example, homeopathic treatments will no longer be covered by statutory health insurance plans. In addition, the insurance contribution for dental prostheses will be reduced by 10% and will now be only 50%.

Illustration zwei Personen

Changes to family insurance

The premium-free co-insurance for spouses will be restricted starting in 2028. In many cases, coverage for non-working spouses will be capped at 2.5% of the primary insured person’s income subject to contributions.

Why more people are now considering private health insurance

While GKV benefits can be reduced at any time through political decisions, PKV benefits are contractually guaranteed. In addition, switching to private health insurance could offer the following advantages:

Contractually guaranteed benefits

Deine Leistungen in der PKV sind vertraglich fixiert – und das ein Leben lang.

Save up to € 4,371 € per year

Compared to statutory health insurance, private health insurance could help you save up to € 4,371 annually in contributions.

Doktor Illustration

Top-notch coverage & faster appointments

Benefit from extensive healthcare services such as reimbursement of private medical bills, preventive check-ups regardless of age, and faster specialist appointments thanks to broader access to medical practices.

Uhr Illustration

Financial reserves for retirement

Through aging reserves, you are less dependent on demographic shifts by building up reserves for old age today.

Why now could be the right time to switch to private health insurance

The earlier you switch to private, the lower your monthly premium is likely to be, since contributions are based on your age and health status. In addition, a switch could become significantly more difficult in the future due to the increase of the income threshold.

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New no-claim bonus available in ottonova Pro health insurance tariffs

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.

Comparison chart: ottonova private health insurance monthly premium versus three public health insurance monthly premiums for employees in Germany, showing cost advantage of ottonova business class tariff

Rising maximum statutory health insurance contribution

Over the past 15 years, the average maximum contribution to statutory health insurance (including compulsory nursing care insurance) has increased by 92%. For 2027, a further sharp increase to approximately €1,400 per month is forecast.


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.

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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Who can benefit from an expat health insurance plan in Germany?

The laws in Germany only allow residents with a limited residency permit to sign up for expat health insurance plans.

  • If you are an expat here on a limited permit (Non-EU citizens with temporary visa working in Germany) and plan to stay in Germany less than five years – or simply not sure how long you'll be here - you can benefit from our expat health insurance plan: First Class Expats.
  • If you are an EU citizen or plan on staying in Germany for longer than five years (no matter if EU- or Non-EU citizen), you can choose between our different long-term full-insurance options at ottonova: Premium Economy Class, Business Class and First Class.

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.

Which two tariffs would you like to compare?

Selected: 0/2

First Class Expats
€196
€500 deductible
Deductible
  • for Non-EU Expats only
  • Accommodation in private room
  • Dental prostheses: 90%
  • World-wide coverage up to 2 months
Business ClassPro
€331
€0 deductible
Deductible
  • Contribution refund
  • Accommodation in double room
  • Dental prostheses: 80%
First ClassPro
€358
€0 deductible
Deductible
  • Contribution refund
  • 9 months premium-free while on parental leave
  • Accommodation in single room
  • Dental prostheses: 90%
Premium Economy
€284
€500 deductible
Deductible
  • Accommodation in double room
  • Specialist via ottonova concierge
  • Dental prostheses: 60%
You selected the following tariffs:
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:

max €500 per year

max €500 per year

max €500 per year

max €1,250 per year

No deductible selected

max €500 per year

max €1,250 per year

No deductible selected

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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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.

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Myth check:
What you really need to know about German private health insurance

When it comes to private health insurance in Germany, you have probably heard a lot and might have some doubts. We'll show you why common myths are not always true. Let's check the facts! 🚀

When it comes to private health insurance premiums, many people think of high financial burdens in retirement. In fact, some cheap tariffs could lead to private health insurance becoming unaffordable in old age. But ottonova’s private health insurance tariffs are made to last and have various mechanisms built into the tariffs, that will help reduce your premiums in old age:

  • The ottonova tariffs are calculated in a particularly sustainable way, as they are based on a realistic actuarial interest rate (considering the current financial market and the investment regulations of BaFin).
  • Private health insurance builds up a financial cushion for you with aging reserves to keep your premiums stable in old age.
  • You can also lower the premium you pay in retirement today by adding our premium relief component to your premium (“BEK/Beitragsentlastung”): This allows you to reduce your contribution by, for example, € 200 per month from the age of 67.
  • Mechanisms to reduce contributions in old age: From the age of 60, the 10 % statutory surcharge no longer applies, which will lower your contribution. Also, the daily sickness allowance ceases with the beginning of your retirement.
  • There is a statistical distribution of risk in private health insurance, which means that the healthy pay for the sick. In statutory health insurance, the young pay for the old or high earners pay for low earners. Due to the increasing number of older people in Germany (demographic change), the system of public health insurance is becoming more and more problematic. In contrast to this, premiums in private health insurance are independent of demographic change.

It’s always said that you can never get out of private health insurance, but that’s not true! And more importantly, why would you even want to switch back to public health insurance? Considering the rising costs of premiums in the public system as well as the risk of reduced coverage and less service, private health insurance can be much more beneficial.

  • Whether you can switch back to public health insurance depends mainly on your age and your occupation.
  • If you’re over 55 years old, it’s almost impossible to switch back to public health insurance.
  • However, if you are under 55 years old, you can still switch. You even might have to switch back to public health insurance if your salary falls below the income threshold. If you're self-employed you can switch back if you start working as an employee again.

By calculating your premium independently of your income, you could save more than 300 € per month compared to public health insurance and at the same time receive a higher range of benefits for your health! 

  • Those who earn well share a maximum contribution of around 1,261.31 € per month (2026, childless, incl. additional contribution and long-term care insurance) in public health insurance with their employer - or bear the costs alone as a freelancer or self-employed person.
  • In private health insurance, you could save up to € 4,371 per year, because your contribution is calculated independently of your income.  
  • In private health insurance, you can benefit from better coverage for your health: e.g. dental treatments incl. teeth cleaning, acupuncture, treatments by alternative practitioners and chiropractors to a much greater extent, dental prostheses, subsidy for glasses, chief physician treatment, preventive medical checkups without age limits, and more
  • Your contribution depends 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.

You think private health insurance is not worth it for families? That's not true!
Even with up to three children, you could still save money with ottonova. But what about coverage? For sure you only want the best for your loved ones. With private health insurance, you enjoy excellent medical coverage as a family, which is far above the level of public health insurance.

What benefits can children access with private health insurance?

Privately insured children can access exactly the same benefits as their parents. Here’s a selection:

  • They will be seen quickly by specialist doctors and always receive the best treatment. At ottonova, you can even speak to a doctor whenever you need via video call – even in the evenings or on the weekend.
  • Need medication? We’ll reimburse you for all prescriptions.
  • If you’d rather turn to naturopathic treatments, private health insurance is the best choice.
  • Your child needs to stay in hospital? Private insurance makes this exceptional situation far easier and less stressful, as many private tariffs include free rooming-in, allowing you to stay at your child’s side.
  • Parents always want to do everything right – and double check whenever they’re unsure. The private insurance system allows you to get a second opinion free of charge.
  • Straight teeth and clear vision are part and parcel of private health insurance: you will be reimbursed up to € 500 every 2 years for visual aids (depending on the chosen tariff) and up to 100 % of the costs of orthodontics.

Not true!

The myth that your private health insurance in Germany kicks you out if your health expenses are high or if you become sick quickly after the start of your contract is a persistent one.
BUT: no German private health insurance can kick you out just because you get sick or have an accident. As long as the insured person stated everything correctly when applying (health questions), the contract is considered concluded and cannot simply be cancelled by the insurance company.  
And don't worry, your individual premium will not be increased by private health insurance simply because you may cause increased costs due to a sudden illness. Especially if you get sick, ottonova is there for you!
In general, premium adjustments (both in public and private health insurance) do take place due to rising health costs, but never for an individual customer. Premium adjustments are subject to strict legal requirements.
 

Private health insurance used to be a male domain and in the bisex tariffs women paid more than men. Since the introduction of unisex tariffs, however, this is no longer the case and as a woman you can benefit from private health insurance just as much as a man. 

Here is an overview of selected benefits of ottonova's private health insurance for women: 

  • More preventive health benefits than in public health insurance - and generally not dependent on age. 
  • Reimbursement of costs for prenatal classes, pregnancy and postnatal exercises
  • More prenatal diagnostics 
  • Treatment by a chief physician during a hospital stay  
  • Faster access to a specialist: those with public health insurance wait an average of around 25 days for an appointment with a specialist, those with private health insurance only 12. 
  • Treatment in private practices 
  • Up to 100% coverage of dental bills 
  • Old-age provision: With private health insurance, you make provisions for your old age with your contribution and thus protect yourself from excessive costs in old age. Unlike with public health insurance, you are less dependent on demographic change and rising health costs.

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.

Screenshot of an English-language support chat in the ottonova app. The user asks about coverage duration for international travel. The concierge replies that ottonova covers medical expenses abroad up to 6 months, based on the agreed contract terms.

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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App-Feature von ottonova für die Video-Call-Funktion mit einer Ärztin

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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Mobile app screen showing upcoming medical events including checkups, dentist visits, and a reminder for travel vaccinations.

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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FAQ

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.

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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!

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

Not sure which health insurance is right for you?

Book a free consultation with one of our insurance experts. They’ll be happy to help you find the best option for your individual needs.

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