Best Private Health Insurances in Germany

You’re here because you want to figure out the best private health insurance in Germany for you, and maybe you’re lost between all the options.

And, let’s be honest, probably because insurance is an oh-so-boring topic and you want answers ASAP. We understand you.

But trust us, if there’s something about which you should make a very well-informed decision, it’s health insurance.

We know navigating health insurance outside the public system as a foreigner can be a real challenge, so we’re here to help you.

In this article, we’ll walk you through an analysis of a few private health insurance companies, namely Ottonova and Allianz, as well as private insurance brokers such as Feather, Getsafe, and KL For Expats.

In this comprehensive overview, we’re going to compare prices, coverage, and pros and cons, so you can feel confident making a decision about your private health insurance. Let’s go!

Comparison Table

This is the type of people that will benefit the most from private health insurance.

Public health insurance can be quite expensive for young professionals, so choosing a good private health insurance plan can help you save money while being covered for additional services you wouldn’t have with public insurance.

Which Private Health Insurance Is Right For You?

Private health insurance in Germany, also known as Private Krankenversicherung (PKV), is used by around 11% of German residents.

Not everyone has the option to choose between public or private insurance, so you have to be aware of the requirements.#

Unlike statutory health insurance, where the coverage is standard for everyone and includes nursing care insurance (and you don’t have coverage for more advanced treatments like major dental work, for example), with private health insurance, you have more freedom to customize the plan that best suits your needs.

Private health insurance covers everything from outpatient and hospital treatment, private doctors, and advanced medical care to dental treatments, visual aids, and alternative practitioners. 

Private Health Insurance is a very personal matter, and the decision will depend on your specific situation and needs.

If you’re using public health insurance and think it’s time to make the change, we always suggest you take a very close look at the policies of health insurance you’re considering taking.

 These are our recommendations based on our analysis.

Private Health Insurance Companies Vs. Health Insurance Brokers

There’s often confusion about the difference between an insurance company and an insurance broker. Although they work together, they provide different types of services.

A health insurance company has its own insurance products and offers them directly to clients or indirectly through a broker.

In Germany, they are supervised by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority.

A health insurance broker, on the other hand, serves as an intermediary between the private health insurance providers and the clients.

They are licensed to sell health insurance and work with several insurance providers, including public insurance companies. They help clients find the best option for them according to their specific needs. 

They have in-depth knowledge and will compare policies to recommend the most suitable for your needs. That can save you time and money. 

Best Private Health Insurance Companies in Germany 2024

Now it’s time to take a look at a few great options for your private health insurance coverage. 

Before that, you need to understand that, unlike public health insurance, the cost of private health insurance in Germany will depend on a few factors:

• Your age (typically the older you are, the higher the premium).
• Your health status (private health insurers can reject you if you have pre-existing conditions, and the better your health is, the lower the prices).
• The coverage level (the higher the benefits, the higher the costs).
• Deductibles (the higher the deductible, the lower your premium is going to be).

If you’re employed, you also need to have an annual salary of over 66,600€.  

1. Ottonova

Ottonova is a private health insurance company founded in 2015 (licensed by Bafin since 2017), with a name inspired by the father of the German health insurance system, Otto von Bismarck.

This company is 100% digital, offering an innovative alternative to traditional insurance companies. 

They offer three insurance plans: Premium Economy, Business Class, and First Class.

These prices show the contribution for an employed person, excluding the amount covered by the employer (required to pay half). 

For students, Ottonova also offers three plans, “Student Smart”, “Student Protect” and “Student Free”, starting at around 123€.

And for self-employed people, the private health insurance provider offers plans starting at around 520€. Civil servants also have specific plans tailored to them. 

If you’re in the public health insurance scheme, you can also take on supplementary health insurance, such as dental or hospital insurance. 

2. Allianz

Allianz is a multinational German insurance provider founded in 1890, and based in Munich. It’s one of the biggest insurance providers in the world with a long history and strong financial stability.    

They offer up to four plans for private health insurance. For a young employed person, you can have a compact package, two comfort packages, and a premium package.

Allianz offers a very wide coverage within their private health insurance plan. The insurance premiums from this health insurer start at 262€ for an employed person.

Compared with voluntary statutory health insurance, which has a high minimum contribution if you’re healthy, Allianz offers a reasonable price for a good performance policy. 

For the self-employed, they offer premiums starting at around 415€ a month. For students, Allianz doesn’t have a specific health insurance product.

However, Allianz offers a package called “OptionFlexiMed” which is aimed at customers who want to enter the world of private health insurance tariffs in the future.

The big advantage is that you secure your current state of health and later on you don’t have to do another health check.

Allianz also offers expat insurance, providing extensive coverage for people relocating to Germany or other countries.  

Allianz has special insurance for doctors, one of the only in the market, offering particularly affordable contributions for young doctors during their training.

Best Private Health Insurance Brokers in Germany 2024

Now let’s take a look at a few private health insurance brokers that are offering an intermediary service and tailoring the best private health insurance policy for your specific needs.

Although insurance brokers also work with public health insurers, they can be very helpful in finding the best private health insurance options case by case. 

1. Feather

Feather is a 100% digital insurance broker, specializing in providing insurance services to expats in Germany.

The company was founded in 2018 by Rob Schumacher and Vincent Audoire after both struggled to navigate the insurance system.

Their private insurance plans are from partners like Hallesche and for public health insurance they partner with TK, Barmer, AOK, and DAK. 

When it comes to private health insurance, Feather lets you calculate your prices and coverage just like a regular private insurer, providing you with a plan specific to your situation. 

For a young professional with no children, Feather offers the following Private krankenversicherung tariffs:

The broker also offers travel insurance, only available for German residents, with a yearly cost of 18€.

Travel insurance is a good way to feel safe when traveling, but only covers medical emergencies. Usually, it can be bought online in your home country.    

Their private insurance plans also include health protection for self-employed persons starting at 230€.

With statutory health insurance, people who have pre-existing conditions don’t have to worry about being accepted, but with a private health insurer, it can be more complicated.

Feather will make sure they find the best option for you.

2. Getsafe

Getsafe is a 100% digital insurance company founded in 2015 by Christian Wiens and Marius Simon.

As an alternative to traditional companies, they offer a simple digital platform available in English. 

Unlike Feather, Getsafe doesn’t provide an online estimation of your private health insurance costs and coverage, which makes it harder to evaluate the benefits and price-quality relationship.

You must request a quote by providing your phone number and email address. 

Getsafe is known to have affordable prices, and they promise to provide comprehensive illness care by specialists in private clinics.

Getsafe handpicks and recommends the health insurance that best fits your needs. The monthly premium will depend on your specific circumstances and the coverage you want. They also offer expert advice, free of charge. 

3. KLforExpats

KLforExpats is a brand of the independent insurance brokerage KL Versicherungsservice GmbH based in Cologne.

They specialize in health insurance for expats, particularly those with a local employment contract.  

The guidance is provided by the co-founder Mirja Lundehn, who will work closely with you to find the best health insurance plan for your specific case.

They also don’t provide cost estimates online, as you have to fill in a form first before they get back to you with more information. 

KLforExpats is known to have very positive reviews from clients who commend their expertise, personalized support, and quick process. 

Things To Keep In Mind While Choosing A Private Health Insurance Company in Germany

There are a few things that you should always keep in mind when choosing a private health insurance provider.

First, always understand the distinction between public health insurance and private insurance.

Private insurance premiums are only suitable for people who meet specific criteria, while public health insurance is mandatory for most people in Germany. 

The process is also different, as with public health insurance you just need to provide your health insurance card. With private insurance, you usually have to pay upfront before being reimbursed. 

Whether you are employed, self-employed, or a student, make sure the insurance policies you are considering can cover your specific situation.

Remember, unlike public health insurance, private insurance usually can’t cover you if you have a prior illness. 

When choosing a policy, including expat health insurance, look at the range of coverage (make sure it includes at least some protection for dental care, psychotherapy, medical aids, and specialist care).

Also, look at the deductibles they offer. It’s always good to have some flexibility on the deduction percentages, as the higher the deductible, the lower your private premiums. 

As an expat, it’s also always good to consider a company that offers English-speaking support, so you can communicate effectively with them and feel confident about their assistance.

Conclusion

German health insurance is an unavoidable topic.

Expats need it to get a residence permit, international students need it to get a student visa, and simply everyone living in Germany is obliged to have it. 

Finding the best option outside the public health system will depend on your specific circumstances and needs.

Hopefully, the insights from this article will give you some clarity.

Private health insurance is a very personal matter, so make sure you get well-informed and, if needed, talk with an independent broker for extra advice.