Currently, many insured people in Germany are facing a shock: Public health insurance surcharges (Zusatzbeiträge) have risen more sharply than ever before. But as an expat, you don't have to just accept this. Switching can save you real money while improving your benefits.
Why Prices Vary So Much Now
While the general contribution rate is fixed by law, each health fund (Krankenkasse) decides its own surcharge, based on its financial situation. Currently, we see a huge gap: while the official average is 2.9% in 2026, affordable funds start around 2.0%, whereas expensive ones exceed the 4.0% mark. You and your employer split the surcharge in half. On a gross salary of €4,000 a month, a gap of 2 percentage points saves you around €480 a year. This is particularly relevant if you have already optimized other fixed costs, for example with a banking comparison.
Direct Comparison & Online Application
With my new online service, you can compare current conditions directly and initiate your switch or application immediately. This saves time and gives you a broad overview of the open public health funds.
Compare Health Funds Now
Use my neutral comparison tool on the public health insurance page to find the best funds for you.
To Health Insurance Comparison →More Than Just Price: Extra Benefits
A good comparison doesn't just look at the contribution. Many health funds offer attractive extra benefits that often exceed the value of the surcharge:
- Professional Teeth Cleaning: Many funds contribute 60 to 100 Euros per year.
- Osteopathy: Subsidies for alternative healing methods are becoming increasingly popular.
- Travel Vaccinations: Important for expats and globetrotters.
- Bonus Programs: Receive cash rewards for sports activities or check-ups.
Switching is Easier Than Ever
Since 1 January 2021 (Act for Fair Health Fund Choice) you no longer have to cancel your old health fund yourself. The new fund reports the switch electronically, you only fill in the membership application.
Deadlines: When You Can Switch
As a rule, you stay with a health fund for at least 12 months (§ 175 (4) SGB V). After that you can switch with two months' notice to the end of a month. If you apply to the new fund in March, for example, you are insured there from 1 June.
If your fund raises its surcharge, you have a special right to switch, even within the first 12 months. You can leave until the end of the month for which the higher rate is charged for the first time. The fund has to inform you in writing about the increase and your right to switch beforehand (§ 175 (5) SGB V).
Check first whether you have an optional tariff (Wahltarif) with your fund. A deductible tariff or an optional sick pay tariff binds you for three years, other optional tariffs for one year (§ 53 (8) SGB V).
Who Pays How Much of the Surcharge
- Employees: You and your employer each pay half. You see the saving directly on your payslip.
- Pensioners: The statutory pension insurance pays half, the other half is deducted from your pension.
- Self-employed and voluntary members without an employer: You pay the full surcharge yourself, so comparing pays off twice.
What Stays the Same When You Switch
Around 95% of benefits are set by law and identical at every fund. There is no health check in public health insurance, and every fund open to you has to accept you. Family members covered under your family insurance move with you.
One point is often overlooked: benefits that were already approved, such as a treatment and cost plan for dentures or an approved rehab stay, may have to be applied for again at the new fund. So don't switch in the middle of a major treatment.
Checklist: How to Optimize Your GKV
- Check your current surcharge on your payslip.
- Use the comparison tool and check benefits (e.g., dental cleaning).
- Submit the online application, done!
- Use your special right to switch when your fund raises its surcharge.
- Check optional tariffs and approved treatments before you switch.