Private Health Insurance Comparison 2026
First-class medical care with maximum flexibility
Private health insurance (PKV) offers you comprehensive health protection at the highest level. Unlike statutory insurance, you benefit from:
- Free choice of doctor: You decide who treats you
- First-class care: Chief physician treatment and modern therapies
- Individual tariffs: Insurance protection tailored to your needs
- Premium refunds: Get money back when no claims are made
- Free choice of doctor nationwide
- Treatment by chief or specialist physicians
- Single room in hospital
- Short waiting times for specialists
- Innovative treatment methods
- Worldwide health insurance coverage
- Extensive dental treatment and dentures
- Naturopath services
- Reimbursement of medications
- Individually adjustable tariffs
Self-employed and freelancers
No insurance threshold – you can switch to PKV at any time. Ideal for founders and established entrepreneurs.
Civil servants
With subsidy entitlement you only need supplementary cost insurance – making PKV particularly affordable.
Well-paid employees
From an annual gross income above the insurance threshold (2026: approx. €69,300) you can switch.
Private health insurance consists of various modules you can combine individually:
Outpatient care
- Doctor visits
- Specialist appointments
- Preventive examinations
- Naturopath
Inpatient care
- Chief physician
- Single room
- Hospital daily allowance
- Free clinic choice
Dental treatment
- Dentures
- Orthodontics
- Prophylaxis
- Implants
Additional benefits
- Visual aids
- Spa services
- Foreign coverage
- Alternative methods
Unlike statutory insurance, the PKV premium is not based on income but on:
Entry age
The younger at entry, the cheaper the premium
Health status
Pre-existing conditions can lead to surcharges
Desired benefit scope
You decide which benefits to insure
Deductible
Higher deductible = lower monthly premium
Tip: Through premium refunds you can recover several monthly payments when no claims are made.
| Criterion | Private health | Statutory health |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | By age & health | By income (14.6% + supplement) |
| Family insurance | Not possible (each pays) | Free for children & spouse |
| Doctor choice | Free choice nationwide | Only contract doctors |
| Hospital | Chief physician & single room | Multi-bed room |
| Waiting times | Short | Often longer |
| Benefits | Individually selectable | Statutory catalog |
| Return to GKV | Usually not possible after 55 | Anytime possible |
Health check: A health check is performed before joining PKV. Pre-existing conditions can lead to surcharges.
Premium development: Premiums can rise with age. Build reserves if needed.
Age provisions: If you change companies, age provisions can only be partially transferred.
Return to GKV: After age 55, returning to statutory insurance is usually no longer possible.
Family planning: In PKV every family member pays their own premium.
Pre-payment: In PKV you pay doctor bills first and submit them for reimbursement.