Switching health insurance: routes, deadlines and requirements

Switching to private health insurance requires that you are exempt from compulsory insurance. Employees reach this status with a regular income above the Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze (i) of €77,400 per year. From 2027, the Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze is €84,150 per year. Self-employed people and freelancers are usually exempt anyway and can choose between statutory and private cover. Civil servants combine the Beihilfe of their public employer with a private Restkostentarif (i)RestkostentarifA private plan that covers the share of medical costs that Beihilfe does not pay. Together with Beihilfe it gives civil servants full cover.More about Restkostentarif →.

Before you sign comes the assessment of your health questions. The result decides on acceptance, a risk surcharge or an exclusion.

If you already have private insurance, you do not have to leave your insurer to get cheaper or better cover. The right to change plan under § 204 VVG guarantees the switch to another plan of the same company without losing your ageing reserves. New health questions only apply if the new benefits are higher, and even then only for the additional cover.

Changing to another insurer, by contrast, requires new health questions. In addition, part of your ageing reserves is lost.

The way back is possible, but tied to strict conditions. Employees must fall below the Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze with their income. From age 55, you usually stay privately insured if you had no statutory insurance in the five years before. Alternatives are family insurance through your spouse or receiving certain social benefits.

Whatever route you choose, a few basic rules ensure a smooth transition.

In writing: always submit applications and cancellations in writing, so the process can be traced.

Proof: only switch once you have the new insurer's confirmation of acceptance.

Deadline: keep to the notice period of three months to the end of the calendar year. Some insurers also refer to the insurance year.

You can change insurer regularly at the end of the calendar year or insurance year, usually with three months' notice. The way back to the statutory health insurance fund, by contrast, depends on income and age and almost never works from age 55.

As a rule, it is three months to the end of the calendar or insurance year. In the case of a premium increase, a special right of termination with a period of two months also applies.

With an internal plan change under § 204 VVG, you keep them in full. When you change insurer, you only take the statutory transfer value with you.