Understanding the Statutory Health Insurance (GKV) Premium in Germany
In Germany, the public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung / GKV) premium consists of two parts: the **general contribution rate (allgemeiner Beitragssatz)** of **14.6%** (split equally between employee and employer) and the **provider-specific surcharge (Zusatzbeitrag)**.
For detailed calculations, you can use our free health insurance comparison.
While the basic 14.6% is statutory, each health insurance fund (Krankenkasse) sets its own surcharge. For 2026, the **average surcharge is 2.5%** (bringing the average total premium to **17.1%**).
Surcharges of the Largest German Health Insurance Funds (2026)
| Krankenkasse | Zusatzbeitrag 2026 | Total Premium | Difference to Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| HKK | 1.58% | 16.18% | −0.92% |
| AOK Baden-Württemberg | 2.30% | 16.90% | −0.20% |
| Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) | 2.45% | 17.05% | −0.05% |
| BARMER | 2.89% | 17.49% | +0.39% |
| DAK-Gesundheit | 3.14% | 17.74% | +0.64% |
| KKH | 3.28% | 17.88% | +0.78% |
How Much Can You Save by Switching?
Since the surcharge is split 50/50 between you and your employer, your personal savings are calculated based on half the difference:
Example: Switching from DAK (3.14%) to HKK (1.58%) at a gross salary of 4,000 €/month:
Difference: 1.56% (your share: 0.78%).
Monthly Savings: 4,000 € × 0.78% = 31.20 €/month (374.40 €/year).
Special Right of Termination (Sonderkündigungsrecht)
If your health insurance provider increases its surcharge, you have a **special right of termination (Sonderkündigungsrecht)** and can switch regardless of the standard 12-month commitment period. The termination must be submitted by the end of the month in which the increase takes effect.
Sources: §§ 241, 242, 175 SGB V, GKV provider announcements, as of 2026.