Best Public Health Insurance In Germany

As an expat, understanding the intricacies of health insurance in Germany can be challenging and overwhelming.

Fortunately, Germany has an excellent public healthcare system. But between so many options, it’s perfectly normal that you feel the need for some guidance.

In this article, we will take a closer look at four public insurance providers, namely AOK, Barmer, Dak, and TK, so you can feel confident making a decision about the best public health insurance in Germany for you. 

Comparison Table

Unlike private health insurance providers, public health insurance tends to be more homogenous in its health insurance coverage and benefits.

This is because statutory insurance is regulated by the Government, so health insurers have to follow specific guidelines.  

In the next table, we are comparing four public health insurance providers – AOK, Barmer, Dak, and TK.

The price estimates are based on the information provided by each of the providers and refer to the monthly contribution by the employee only (who has to pay half of the total, and the employer pays the remaining costs).

The price also includes nursing care insurance.

The “additional contribution rate” refers to an extra contribution that each public health insurance provider is allowed to charge.

They can choose the percentage that they want to charge, up to a specific limit.

Through all providers, you can access medical care in other EU countries by presenting your European health insurance card. This card allows you to have access to medical care outside of your country and within Europe. 

Which Public Health Insurance Is Right For You?

In the public health insurance scheme, you have access to standard medical care (eg. basic dental care) through your insurance card (and through your European health insurance card when visiting an EU country) and the possibility to have statutory sick pay.

Over 90% of the services provided by the public healthcare system are required by law and are the same. 

However, there are still public health insurers that perform better in some areas compared to others and offer additional benefits.

Based on our analysis of these four providers in the German public scheme, and complemented by the information gathered by the German health insurance website (www.krankenkassen.de), these are our recommendations.

Best Public Health Insurances in Germany 2024

Now, it’s time to review more closely the services and conditions provided by four statutory insurance companies.

Before that, you should understand that, in Germany, public health insurance takes into consideration your gross income and employment status to determine your contribution.

With a German private health insurance plan, the prices are determined by age, health status, and the private coverage you want.

Public health insurance in Germany has a fixed contribution of 14.6% of your gross salary.

There’s a salary cap at a maximum of 4,987€, so you if earn more than this, you don’t need to pay a higher insurance premium.

If you’re employed, your employer pays half of that. Besides that, you also have to pay for nursing care insurance, which partially helps in meeting personal nursing needs. 

1. Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)

Technniker Krankenkasse is Germany’s largest public health insurance fund, with more than 11  million members. It’s also considered one of the best statutory insurance in Germany. 

In this table, you can see the monthly contributions for employees and self-employed people earning 4000€/month, as well as for students below the age of 30. 

TK has a wide range of services that go beyond the legally required.

For non-prescribed medications as well as alternative treatments, TK covers up to 100€/year. It also covers artificial insemination and a midwife on call up to 250€.

TK’s public health insurance policy also covers sports medical treatment up to 120€, skin cancer prevention from the age of 20, as well as stomach and colon cancer prevention for people over 35 years old.

It also offers strong coverage for health promotion and therapy support, health courses, and a bonus program of up to 400€. 

2. AOK

AOK is one of the largest insurance providers in Germany, offering health insurance for over 130 years.

They have a very large number of branches all over Germany (around 1200), protecting around 27 million people. 

For the purposes of this table, we are taking into consideration the prices provided by AOK Rhineland/Hamburg, which provides protection for around 3 million people. 

AOK is not the cheapest statutory insurance in Germany, and the range of benefits will vary depending on the regional branch.

Outside standard care, AOK offers a range of courses, such as nutrition courses from Oviva, various relaxation and fitness courses, and yoga lessons.

This German health insurance company provides a hotline in English, where you can speak with AOK advisors to help you with any query you may have. 

3. Barmer

Barmer is also one of the biggest German insurers, covering more than 8 million people nationwide.

It provides comprehensive coverage for families, preventive medical check-ups, and emergency coverage when traveling in the EU.

The German health insurer offers 200€ for expectant parents, bonus rewards up to 150€, and several online courses to help you become fitter and healthier.

4. DAK Gesundheit

DAK is a large insurance fund with over 5 million members and branches in almost all major towns. It has a wide range of benefits, especially for young families.

For example, the AktivBonus Junior is tailored to children and young people, providing them with rewards up to 1,650€ when parents take them to check-ups, vaccinations, and sports activities.

Like the other insurers, Dak offers extended coverage for professionals, families, and students, offering them benefits related to health courses, bonus programs, preventive check-ups and treatments, and a digitalized service.

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

German health insurance, particularly within the public health insurance scheme, offers a high-quality service to all its members.

However, there are still a few things you should keep in mind when choosing the best health insurance for you. 

First, you should understand the distinction between statutory health insurance and private insurance within the healthcare system.

German private health insurance is only suitable for people who meet specific criteria, while public health insurance is mandatory if your annual salary is below 66,600€. People on pensions or unemployment benefits can also have access to public protection. 

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

Private insurance policies, supervised by the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, offer a wider range of coverage, from expat health insurance to travel insurance, no claims bonus, and other perks that go beyond standard care. 

When choosing statutory health insurance, consider the contribution rates for your specific case (employee, self-employed, with or without children, student, etc).

Then look at the coverage and benefits beyond what is required by law. These include customer service, bonus programs, health courses, alternative treatments, and preventive measures.

Look at the websites, and if needed reach out directly to the insurer to clearly understand your benefits and your contribution rate.

As an expat, choosing an insurer with English-speaking services will be the best option for you. Luckily, most providers offer that.

Conclusion

Germany’s health insurance system is very strong and modern.

Statutory health protection covers a wide range of medical care and each provider offers several additional benefits to its members and their families. Most of the coverage is the same between providers.

As an expat, choosing the best option for you will depend on your specific circumstances and needs.

Luckily, you can find good protection for yourself and English-speaking services within the public system that will make everything easier.