Contributions to health insurance

When it comes to paying health insurance premiums, employees and their employers share the contribution in most cases 50:50.

Reviewed on May 2, 2025

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Contributions to health insurance in employment

By which we mean people who have an employer, i.e. not people who are self-employed (freelance) or business owners. As with many aspects of the German healthcare system, employer and employee contributions depend on whether the employee has public or private health insurance.

Public health insurance (GKV)

Premiums in the public (statutory) health insurance system are calculated using gross income. This means that the more you earn, the more you pay. In brief, the public contribution rates are:

Health insurance: 14.6% of employee’s gross income up to the premium assessment ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze, BBG) of €66,150 – if you earn more than this, your premiums will not continue to rise.
Health insurance surcharge: on average, 2.50% of gross income – levied by health insurance provider.
Long-term care insurance: 3.4% of gross income (with 1 child, less with more children) or 4.0% (without children).

In the public health insurance system, employers and employees split the costs. Based on an average surcharge of 2.50%, this means that the total sum of these three contributions is 20.2% of an employee’s gross salary (without children). However, this figure does not take any top-up insurances into account.

Private health insurance (PKV)

Unlike public insurance premiums, private health insurance premiums are contractually defined and are not subject to amendment by legislators.

Employers again contribute around 50% of health insurance costs up to the maximum amount they would contribute for an employee with public health insurance. Based premium assessment ceiling (BBG) and average surcharge, this means employers can contribute up to 1,174.16 per month for private health insurance and for long-term care insurance.

Contributions to health insurance as a self-employed

People who are self-employed evidently do not have employers. However, the majority of health insurance, long-term care insurance and even income protection insurance premiums are tax-deductible for freelancers in Germany.

Private health insurance

Changing private health insurance in Germany

Do you want to change your tariff or your private health insurance provider? Check out our guide for changing private health insurance for all relevant information!

Private health insurance

Private health insurance explained simply

Private health insurance is an option for those seeking individual health insurance solutions that meet the needs of the insured. But insurance companies and their many technical terms are not always easy for insured persons to understand. Our ABC on private health insurance clarifies.

Private health insurance

Switching to private health insurance Germany

What is important when switching from statutory German health insurance (or public health insurance) to private German health insurance in Germany? Check out our guide!