Higher income earners are witnessing a faster increase in contributions towards GKV. Consider the shift to the PKV for potential benefits?

In 2023, health insurance contributions have seen a significant increase, with both the private (PKV) and statutory (GKV) sectors experiencing some of the highest growth in the past four to five years combined.

According to a recent report, 18 health insurance companies have already increased their contributions mid-year, with two of them increasing twice. This surge in premiums has led to an average increase of 12.5 percent in the PKV, and a 15.7 percent rise in the GKV over the past one and a half years.

For comparison, Finanztip used the average contribution increases for a fully insured PKV customer provided by the PKV association. In the GKV, Finanztip calculated the contribution increases for insured individuals with an income above the contribution assessment limit by evaluating the contribution assessment limits and the average collected health insurance contributions of the past 15 years.

The maximum contributions in the GKV have increased by 75 percent over the last 15 years, compared to 62 percent for the average contributions in the PKV. In 2010, the maximum contribution in the GKV was around 560 euros per month, and it is now around 976 euros (total contribution from employer and employee).

The contribution rate in the GKV, including the additional contribution, is currently an average of 17.7 percent, with a tendency to continue rising. In contrast, the average contribution in the PKV in 2010 was under 400 euros, and it is now around 623 euros per month.

For those privately insured individuals affected by a contribution increase in 2025, savings opportunities exist. These include having risk surcharges checked, increasing the self-retention, or switching the tariff. Those who are unsure whether their pension provision is sufficient for PKV contributions should stay in the statutory health insurance.

The choice between PKV and GKV depends on individual factors such as age, profession, health status, or family planning. Finanztip's guide to health insurance and BaFin's annual report are further sources of information. In the current Finanztip GKV comparison, the HKK, TK, and Audi BKK are the best health insurance companies. For price-conscious individuals, the BKK Firmus is recommended, and the Energie-BKK is suitable for young families and pregnant women.

It is also worth noting that civil servants should usually take out private insurance and seek advice beforehand. Weber suggests that those insured with a statutory health insurance compare regularly and switch to a more favorable health insurance company to reduce the financial burden.

In 2025, most private health insurance companies in Germany, including Debeka, BBKK (Bayerische Beamtenkrankenkasse), and others, raised their private health insurance premiums, with an average increase of about 18 percent affecting approximately two-thirds of insured persons due to sharply rising healthcare costs, especially in hospital care and pharmaceuticals.

In conclusion, it is crucial for individuals to stay informed about health insurance contributions and make informed decisions based on their specific circumstances. Regular comparison and careful consideration can help manage the financial impact of these increases.