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Explained in English · NEOdirect

Private Health Insurance for Expats in Germany

Coverage tailored to your needs, from ~€300/month for IT professionals. Better doctors, shorter waits, premium coverage.

No obligation · Independent advice · Takes 2 minutes
★★★★★ Trusted by 1,500+ Indian expats in Germany | Independent broker — we work for you, not for insurers
Starting from
~€300/month
Depends on age, health & chosen tariff
Access
Top specialists & private rooms
Choose your doctor, skip the queue
Employer contribution
~50% paid by employer
Your employer covers roughly half your premium

GKV vs. PKV — What you're actually getting

See why high-earning expats switch from statutory to private health insurance.

GKV — Statutory health insurance
Contribution rate: 16%+ of gross salary (the more you earn, the more you pay)
Wait times: Weeks or months for specialist appointments
Doctor choice: Limited to GKV-contracted doctors
Hospital: Shared rooms, no chief physician guarantee
→ You pay more and get less as your salary grows.
PKV — Private health insurance
Pricing: Risk-based, not income-based — often cheaper for young professionals
Appointments: Fast access to top specialists
Doctor choice: Any doctor, any specialist — no referral needed
Hospital: Private rooms, chief physician treatment
→ Premium coverage at a predictable cost — employer pays ~50%.

How it works

Three simple steps to switch to private health insurance.

1
Tell us about yourself
Your age, salary, health status, and what coverage matters most to you. We explain everything in English.
2
We compare & recommend
As independent brokers we compare 40+ PKV tariffs across all major insurers and recommend the best fit for your needs and budget.
3
You're privately insured
We handle the application, health questions, and switch from GKV. You enjoy premium healthcare from day one.

What's covered with PKV

Premium benefits that statutory insurance simply can't match.

Premium medical care
Direct access to top specialists, private hospital rooms, and chief physician treatment — no referrals, no waiting
Dental coverage
80–100% reimbursement for dental treatments, implants, crowns, and orthodontics — GKV covers only a fraction
Worldwide coverage
Full coverage during trips to India and worldwide — emergency treatment, hospital stays, and repatriation included
Sick pay protection
Krankentagegeld ensures your income is protected if you're unable to work due to illness — essential for self-employed expats
💡
Can you switch to PKV?
Employees earning above €69,300/year (2024 threshold) can switch to PKV. Below this? You might still qualify — self-employed and freelancers can join PKV at any income level. Not sure? Ask us — we'll check your eligibility for free.

Real situations where PKV makes the difference

How private health insurance helps Indian expats in Germany.

IT professional saving €200/month vs GKV
A 30-year-old software engineer earning €85,000 switched from GKV to PKV. His premium dropped from €450/month (GKV employee share) to ~€250/month — with far better coverage and his employer paying half.
Family getting dental implants covered
A family in Munich needed two dental implants worth €6,000. Their PKV tariff reimbursed 90% — saving them over €5,000 compared to what GKV would have covered (barely 20%).
Treatment during India visit
An expat fell ill during a family trip to India and was hospitalized. PKV covered the entire hospital bill and specialist treatment — GKV would have covered almost nothing outside the EU.

Good to know — what to consider

PKV is powerful, but there are things to keep in mind.

  • Pre-existing conditions may lead to surcharges or exclusions — early application is key
  • Switching back to GKV is difficult after age 55 or if your income drops below the threshold
  • Family members are not automatically co-insured — each person needs their own contract
  • Premiums can increase with age, but age reserves (Altersrückstellungen) help stabilize costs
  • You pay upfront and get reimbursed — unlike GKV's direct-billing model
  • Waiting periods may apply for certain treatments in the first months
This is exactly why personal advice matters. We analyze your specific situation and ensure PKV is the right long-term choice for you.

Who should consider PKV

Private health insurance is especially attractive for these groups.

  • IT professionals earning above €69,300/year (JAEG) — you qualify to leave GKV and often save money with better coverage
  • Self-employed expats — no income threshold required, and PKV is often cheaper than voluntary GKV
  • Freelancers — full flexibility to choose your coverage level and only pay for what you need
  • High-earning employees — stop overpaying GKV's income-based premiums and get premium care instead

What our clients say

Real stories from Indian expats who switched to PKV.

★★★★★
"I was paying €480/month in GKV. Martin switched me to PKV for €290/month — with private rooms and full dental. My employer pays half, so I only pay €145. Best decision I made in Germany."
Priya · Munich
★★★★★
"As a freelancer, GKV wanted €950/month from me. NEOdirect found me a PKV tariff for €380 with worldwide coverage. The process was smooth and fully in English."
Raj · Berlin
★★★★★
"I needed a specialist appointment urgently and got one within 2 days with PKV. In GKV, I waited 3 months last time. Martin explained everything about long-term costs too — very transparent."
Anita · Frankfurt

Your expert for private health insurance

M
Martin Grödl
Founder & Insurance Expert · NEOdirect
I help Indian expats navigate the complex German health insurance system. Whether you should stay in GKV or switch to PKV depends on your individual situation — I'll give you an honest, data-driven recommendation.
📖
Want to learn more first?
Read our detailed guide on private health insurance in Germany — who qualifies, what it costs, and whether it's the right choice for you.
Read the guide →

FAQ — Private Health Insurance (PKV)

Quick answers to the most common questions.

Can I switch back to GKV from PKV?+
Switching back is possible but restricted. If you're employed and your salary drops below the JAEG threshold (€69,300 in 2024) for a full year, you can return to GKV. After age 55, returning is nearly impossible. This is why we always discuss the long-term implications before recommending PKV.
What if I lose my job — can I still afford PKV?+
If you become unemployed, you typically return to GKV since the employment agency pays GKV contributions. If you find a new job above the JAEG threshold, you can re-enter PKV. Self-employed individuals can switch to a basic PKV tariff (Basistarif) with capped premiums if needed.
Is PKV still affordable when I'm older?+
PKV premiums can rise with age, but insurers are legally required to build age reserves (Altersrückstellungen) from your premiums to stabilize costs in retirement. Choosing a tariff with strong reserves, and contributing to them early, keeps premiums manageable. We model your costs up to retirement age so there are no surprises.
What about my family — are they covered too?+
Unlike GKV, PKV does not offer free family co-insurance. Each family member needs their own contract. However, children's premiums are significantly lower (~€100–150/month), and if your spouse doesn't work or earns below the mini-job threshold, they may stay in GKV for free. We always calculate the total family cost before recommending a switch.
How does the employer contribution work?+
Your employer pays up to 50% of your PKV premium, capped at the maximum GKV employer contribution (~€421/month in 2024). For most employees, this means your employer covers roughly half your premium — making PKV significantly more affordable than the sticker price suggests.
Ready to upgrade your health insurance?
Independent advice · English & Hindi support · Free PKV comparison