Are you currently undergoing treatment at the dentist? Once the dentist has issued the findings, you can (almost) no longer take out a dental plan. Supplementary dental insurance for ongoing or advised treatments is your only option. In this article, we'll show you the options with immediate coverage. Most of these plans are tailored to a very specific situation, e.g. for dentures. A professional consultation is recommended. Feel free to contact us, we will help you find the right tariff.
In Germany, normal supplementary dental insurance is only available to members of a statutory health insurance scheme. Those who have private health insurance cannot take out additional cover. The benefits for dental prosthesis and treatment are already included in the private health insurance.
Immediate protection applies to these treatments: Dental prosthesis
When does UKV make sense?: 1 to 3 missing teeth, treatment not yet started
Scope of benefits UKV High-quality dentures, e.g. implants
UKV DentalPRIVAT Premium - 25,92 Euro/month
UKV DentalPRIVAT Optimal - 13,75 Euro / month
Immediate coverage applies to these treatments: Dentures, dental treatment, fillings
When does the Bayersiche make sense? Treatment advised or already started, costs greater than 800 euros
Scope of benefits Bayerische ZahnSofort: 1,500 euros for advised / ongoing treatment spread over two years
The BavarianZAHN Smart + ZAHN Immediately - 44,90 Euro/month
The Bavarian ZAHN Prestige + ZAHN Immediately - 71,10 Euro/month
Immediate coverage applies to these treatments: Dentures
When does ERGO make sense? Dental prosthesis measure recommended or already started, fixed cost allowance GKV greater than 813.60 euros.
Scope of benefits ERGO ZEZ: Doubling of the fixed allowance of the GKV for dental prosthesis
ERGO ZEZ - 33,90 Euro/month
Immediate cover applies to these treatments: Orthodontics for children
When does ERGO make sense: orthodontic treatment for child advised or already started
Scope of benefits ERGO KFO Immediately: 50-75% for orthodontic treatment, 100% for prophylaxis, dentures and dental treatment
ERGO Orthodontics Immediate KFO
Many people first think about supplementary dental insurance when they go to the dentist for their first major dental treatment. The additional private medical measures for the treatment of a tooth gap with an implant are not covered by the statutory health insurance. The co-payment for a treatment quickly reaches 2,000 to 3,000 euros. For a root canal treatment, the co-payment is somewhat more favorable in the range of 200 to 1,000 euros.
Once the dentist makes a diagnosis, most 'normal' dental plans fall away as an option. At least if you want benefits for this dental procedure or root canal treatment. Only a few companies offer insurance coverage with cost absorption for this special case. ERGO with the tariff Zahn-Ersatz-Sofort, UKV / BBKK with the three tariffs ZahnPremium, ZahnOptimal and ZahnKompakt as well as Bayerische with the additional module "ZAHN Sofort" are your current options.
Due to the special situation, these dental insurances are not favorable for current and advised treatment. However, in many cases the tariffs are reasonable and worth their price. Each of the tariffs has its own peculiarities and is suitable for certain situations. Important for the selection of the appropriate dental insurance are:
Our tip: Call us: 0800 5565194 - We will advise you individually and without obligation about your options for advised and ongoing treatments.
1. advised treatment:
If your dentist or orthodontist has identified a specific need for treatment during a check-up and discussed this with you, this is already considered to be advised dental treatment. It is irrelevant whether or not a treatment and cost plan has already been drawn up for this specific treatment.
What is decisive is the patient file at the dentist's office. From this, the recommended treatment can also be derived later for the insurance company. Treatment is recommended if, for example:
Important: When taking out dental insurance, usually only those measures that have been diagnosed and discussed within the last two years are relevant. Before answering the health questions of a supplemental dental plan, speak with your dentist and review what is noted in the patient's record.
2. Ongoing treatment:
Once you have had your first treatment appointment with your dentist or orthodontist for a specific treatment and cost plan, the treatment is considered ongoing. Up to this point, it is advised. For the conclusion of a dental supplementary insurance, the beginning of the treatment is a decisive moment. The choice of tariffs is reduced again.
As a dental supplementary insurance for an ongoing treatment (if you want to include this measure in the insurance coverage) only the tariffs Zahn-Ersatz-Sofort of ERGO and all tariffs of the Bayerische Zahnzusatzversicherung with the additional module ZAHN Sofort remain. In this module, you will receive cost coverage of up to 1,500 euros for any type of treatment.
3. intended treatment:
Even if you have not yet seen a dentist, certain dental prosthesis measures or dental treatment may be planned or intended. This is the case if it is obvious to you that you will need or want to visit the dentist in the near future due to a measure. For example, this applies if
Our tip: Before taking out dental insurance, contact us on 0800 5565194. We will explain all the tariff details to you in detail and help you fill in the health questions.
Until 10/2021, there was no supplementary dental insurance for ongoing / advised measures for every situation. The insurance companies selected here again after the kind of the dental treatment and/or measure with the dentist. Only treatment related to dentures, i.e. bridges, implants, crowns and prostheses, could be insured. With the introduction of the Bayerische ZAHN Sofort tariff module, other measures such as root canal treatments and fillings can also be insured retrospectively.
Supplementary dental insurance can be taken out retrospectively for:
The following cannot be insured:
What you should avoid at all costs is taking out supplementary dental insurance and concealing ongoing or advised treatment when making an application. You are obliged to provide truthful information when you apply for dental insurance.
The verification of your information will take place no later than the first major dental bill. The insurance company will then ask to see the dentist's patient file. There, it is easy to see whether treatment was already advised or ongoing at the time the insurance was initiated. In other words, whether there were any findings. In the worst case, you will be threatened with cancellation by the insurance company. You will not receive any benefits and your premiums paid up to that point will be lost. These consequences can occur in the event of a breach of obligation:
It is important to choose the right tariff for an existing or contemplated dental treatment. Due to the media awareness through TV commercials, we often receive inquiries about the ERGO ZEZ tariff. But is this tariff always the best choice? Certainly not. On the contrary: this supplementary dental insurance only makes sense for a very special situation. You have just received a treatment and cost plan for dentures from your dentist and the fixed allowance of the GKV exceeds 814 euros.
If the GKV only subsidizes 300 euros for the dental prosthesis or if it is a filling, root canal treatment or an orthodontic measure, this tariff is the wrong choice. Even in the case of a fixed allowance above 814 euros, ERGO is not necessarily the most sensible choice. Under certain circumstances, the tariffs of UKV or SDK may be more suitable for you, as the reimbursement may be higher. Therefore, before taking out supplementary dental insurance for current or recommended treatments, we always recommend a professional consultation. This is the only way to ensure that you will receive what you expect from the insurance. Feel free to call us, we will help you with your decision.
Supplementary dental insurance without health questions means that the previously described case of a breach of the duty of disclosure cannot occur. There is no health check when you apply and you are guaranteed to be accepted by the insurance company - regardless of your current dental health. You can take out this supplementary dental insurance at a later date, even if you are currently undergoing a procedure at the dentist.
However, these plans generally exclude coverage for advised or ongoing treatment. Missing teeth cannot be covered. The insurance cover only includes future diagnoses.
Our tip: Dental insurance without health questions is an excellent alternative if your ongoing / advised treatment is no longer insurable or the price-performance ratio does not justify taking out the somewhat more expensive tariffs.
In the table you will find our recommendation when which supplementary dental insurance fits best.
| Type of treatment | Our recommendation | |
| Advised denture | expensive/expensive | tariff with benefit for dental prosthesis measures: UKV dental insurance BBKK dental insurance ERGO ZEZ dental prosthesis immediately Bavarian dental insurance |
| cheap/short | Dental insurance without health questions: Nürnberger Dental Insurance Deutsche Familienversicherung Dental Insurance Münchener Verein Premium uniVersa dent|Private R+V dental insurance ERGO dental insurance (advised treatments are excluded - coverage for future risks) | |
| Ongoing dental prosthesis | expensive/expensive | tariff with benefit for dental prosthesis measures: ERGO ZEZ Dental Immediate Bavarian dental insurance |
| cheap/short | dental insurance without health questions: Nürnberger Zahnversicherung Deutsche Familienversicherung dental insurance Münchener Verein Premium uniVersa dent|Private R+V dental insurance ERGO dental insurance (advised treatments are excluded - coverage for future risks) | |
| Advised or ongoing treatments (e.g. root canal treatment) | expensive/expensive | tariff with benefits for dental treatment: Bavarian dental insurance |
| cheap/short | Dental insurance without health questions: Nürnberger Zahnversicherung Deutsche Familienversicherung dental insurance Münchener Verein Premium uniVersa dent|Private R+V dental insurance ERGO dental insurance (advised treatments are excluded - coverage for future risks) |
If you have been advised to have dentures or dental treatment, or are already undergoing ongoing dental procedures, your options are very limited. Dental insurance with immediate coverage for these diagnoses is the only way to get coverage. Whether the insurance is worthwhile depends on the individual diagnosis and the existing treatment and cost plan.
We recommend that you consult an expert who will explain the advantages and disadvantages of this special insurance solution in detail. Give us a call. Our consultation is free of charge and without obligation.
First things first: for almost all dental complaints, there are treatment options that are paid for in full or in part by the statutory health insurance.
We will show you which health insurance benefits you are entitled to at the dentist and which costs are covered by law. Basically, treatment is carried out according to medical necessity, but also from an economic point of view.
The best and most modern treatment methods are usually also expensive options. There is not always room for them in the benefits catalog of the statutory health insurance. If you have a private health insurance, it depends on your contract what is covered.
With private supplementary dental insurance, you can close the gap in the benefits provided by statutory health insurance and reduce your own contribution to the dentist to as little as 0 euros. The selection of the right tariff is crucial.
Important to know: According to the Social Security Code, your dentist must offer a health insurance benefit if he or she is licensed to do so. This is because people with statutory health insurance have a right to such treatment and it may not be refused. It doesn't matter whether it's a simple filling or a complicated root canal treatment - your dentist is obliged to inform you of the statutory health insurance benefits and treat you accordingly.
In addition, the dentist may then offer additional private medical services and bill you according to the private fee schedule for dentists. These additional services may be of the same or different nature.
Similar additional service: The treatment method corresponds to the standard treatment, but an additional service is added: for example, a tooth-colored veneer is added to the crown in the posterior region.
Different type of additional service: The treatment differs from the standard treatment, e.g. a gap between the teeth is treated with an implant instead of a bridge.
The dentist is also obligated to inform and advise you about all essential circumstances of the diagnosis or therapy. This includes, for example, the type and scope of a necessary measure and the associated risks of dental treatment.
You will find explicit regulations on this in §630 of the German Civil Code (BGB). The information also includes advice on the financial aspects of the treatment, i.e. also on the possible co-payment, e.g. for high-quality dentures.
Statutorily insured persons are entitled to a fixed allowance from the public health insurance fund for dental prostheses. The decisive factor is not the type of denture actually selected, but the dentist's findings in the treatment and cost plan. Depending on the findings, there is a medically necessary and financially economical standard provision. Since 01.10.2020, the health insurance company will pay 60 to 75 percent of this standard treatment in the form of a fixed allowance.
It does not matter whether you opt for this care option or want a higher-quality treatment by the dentist. The health insurance company always pays only the fixed allowance for dental prostheses. Anything above this standard treatment is billed privately and is your own contribution.
The standard treatment for dentures is usually a metal bridge in which the neighboring teeth are ground down. Many patients therefore opt for higher-quality treatment in the form of implantology. The treatment is gentler and does not damage neighboring teeth. However, the cost of dental implants is also many times higher than standard treatment.
Example: Cost coverage of the statutory health insurance for dental prosthesis.
Findings: Tooth gap in the posterior region (not visible).
| Treatment | Costs covered by health insurance | payment |
| Bridge without veneer (standard treatment) Costs e.g. 660 Euro | 60 percent 396 Euro | 40 percent 264 Euro |
| Ceramic implant Costs e.g. 3,000 Euro | fixed allowance for standard treatment 396 Euro | 80-90 percent 2.670 Euro |
The health insurance company pays up to 100 percent of the dentist's bill for fillings. It depends on whether you opt for the standard treatment or want a higher-quality filling in the color of your teeth. The health insurance covers amalgam fillings for posterior teeth and plastic fillings for anterior teeth.
If you decide to have a tooth-colored filling in the posterior region as well, this is a similar higher-quality restoration: The health insurance fund will cover the cost of the amalgam filling. The difference of 40 to 100 euros to the more expensive option is your own contribution.
Another form of private medical care is a so-called inlay, which is specially developed as a filling in the laboratory. It is made of gold or ceramic. The health insurance does not cover any additional costs for inlays; you receive the normal allowance for the filling. The co-payment for an inlay is between 300 and 600 euros. Our current recommendations for dental tariffs cover up to 90 percent of these treatment costs.
The health insurance company will pay up to 100 percent of the dentist's bill for an apicoectomy or root canal treatment. The decisive factor is whether the tooth is classified as worthy of preservation or not - because only then is it a health insurance benefit.
If the tooth is not classified as worthy of preservation, the treatments are 100 percent private benefits. In the case of private supplementary insurance, it is important that this covers the costs of root canal treatment even without SHI advance payment.
As with fillings and dentures, there are also different methods of root canal treatment. The health insurance company pays for the standard treatment, but the additional costs for a gentler or more modern method must be borne by the patient.
The most important preventive measure is the check-up at the dentist. This examination is covered by the health insurance once every six months. The dentist detects diseases at an early stage and can take measures in time. In addition, you increase your fixed cost allowance for dental prostheses through consistent preventive care and keeping a bonus booklet.
The health insurance also covers the costs of tartar removal once a year. Since 2004, periodontal screening has also been included in the benefits provided by the health insurance fund.
Professional dental cleaning (PZR), on the other hand, is not covered by the SHI benefits catalog and must be paid out of pocket. Dentists recommend that PZR be performed at least 1-2 times a year. A good supplementary dental insurance will cover the costs completely. There are also tariffs that cover up to 300 euros per year for bleaching.
In 2002, the so-called orthodontic indication groups - KIG for short - were introduced. Here, the malocclusion of the teeth is divided into degrees of severity. Levels KIG 3 to KIG 5 refer to "considerable impairment" in biting, chewing, speaking or breathing. In these levels, the costs of orthodontic treatment are covered by the statutory health insurance. However, 20 percent of the treatment must initially be paid by you as your own contribution. After successful treatment, this will be reimbursed.
The statutory health insurance does not pay for additional private medical services such as internal braces, colorless arches or other modern and aesthetic treatment options. Likewise, there is no cost coverage for braces of the health insurance in the KIG levels 1 and 2. For adults from the age of 18, there are only in a few exceptional cases benefits of the GKV.
It is therefore particularly advisable to have supplementary dental insurance for children, which covers the costs of additional lines and also pays for medically necessary measures in the event of a classification in KIG 1 and 2.
In principle, the statutory health insurance allows for a solid dental care. In many forms of therapy of the standard care, the health insurance benefits up to 100 percent, in dental prostheses about half. However, the keyword is standard care, i.e. medically necessary, simple and economical care.
If you want more and want to have access to modern, aesthetic treatment methods, you should think about private supplementary dental insurance in good time. Especially in the case of expensive dental prosthesis measures, e.g. with implants, the personal contribution can be significantly reduced in this way. We can help you find the best supplementary dental insurance for your individual needs.
The task of a healthcare system to maintain the health of a population is not a simple matter. For this purpose, the German health care system consists of several institutions, groups, organizations, professionals. In the following, you will learn which elements make it up and how the health care system in Germany works. In particular, we show which forms of health insurance are available to you.
What is the idea behind the healthcare system in Germany? This question is answered by the following four basic principles that define and organize the German health care system and how it works.
Broadly speaking, the German healthcare system can be described as being divided into three levels:
In Germany, health insurance is compulsory for all citizens. However, individuals are free to choose which health insurance company they would like to be insured with. There are currently almost 150 health insurance companies in Germany, between which you can choose. This number includes both statutory health insurance companies and providers of private health insurance.
Most important in this respect is the difference between statutory health insurance and private health insurance. Just under ninety percent of the German health insurance population, a little over 70 million people, are insured through a statutory health insurance fund.
For expats, the most popular choice is TK (techniker) health insurance. The rest of the population has private health insurance. Here are different options for expats, depending on their wishes and budget. How the German health insurance system works, is explained below.
Statutory health insurance is the main form of health insurance in Germany. Their task is to financially secure the health of the insured. This is done by providing financial support in the event of an insured event. If you need medical treatment, your health insurance will cover the costs incurred.
The amount and the frequency of the cost coverage as well as the scope of services of the insurance are regulated by law: All persons with statutory health insurance are basically entitled to the same benefits in accordance with the German Social Code (SGB V).
Statutory health insurance funds are financed according to the solidarity principle. This means that the insured themselves pay regular insurance contributions and in return receive the insurance benefit when they need it. The health insurance contribution depends on the individual gross income and amounts to 14.6 percent of the same.
The contribution rate includes daily sickness benefits. If you choose to insure yourself without daily sickness benefits, the health insurance contribution is calculated on 14 percent of your gross income. In addition, an individual contribution rate is added. For salaried employees, the employer usually pays half of the health insurance contributions.
According to the Social Security Code, the statutory health insurance funds must provide a fixed scope of benefits. Examples are:
However, the services provided must not exceed the limits of medical necessity and economic efficiency.
In addition to the mandatory benefits, statutory health insurers also offer supplementary benefits. Any extension of the scope of benefits provided by a statutory health insurance fund must in any case be approved by the competent supervisory authority. Examples of additional benefits are:
The costs of a statutory health insurance are fixed by law. The contribution rate in 2023 is 14.6 percent of income. However, statutory health insurance companies set additional contributions, which increase the total costs for the insured. The total cost of membership in a statutory health insurance fund is between 14.95 and 17.1 percent of your gross income.
However, if your income as an employee exceeds 66,600 euros per year (2023), you are above the compulsory insurance limit and are therefore exempt from insurance. In this case, you can decide for yourself whether you want to remain voluntarily with your statutory health insurance or switch to a private health insurance.
If you are self-employed or if your annual gross income as an employee exceeds 66,600€, you can choose between statutory and private health insurance. As far as compulsory insurance is concerned, statutory and private health insurance are equal. That is, in both cases your insurance obligation is fulfilled.
Are you thinking about taking out private health insurance? Then there are some differences to statutory health insurance that you should consider. These are basically related to the fact that private health insurances are privately managed and not organized under public law. This has some consequences.
You contractually agree the scope of benefits with the insurer. The so-called equivalence principle applies, i.e. the principle of equivalence of benefits and services. In this way, you can choose the benefits you want and determine the amount of the insurance premiums in proportion to them.
The same applies to the insurance of family members. There is no contribution-free co-insurance of family members such as children and spouses with private health insurance.
Finally, you must also note that the billing between the health care facility or doctor and you does not take place via the health insurance company: The private insurance company will reimburse you for the costs incurred only after the fact. In most cases, there is an exception for standard inpatient services: These are often settled directly with the insurer and you then receive a statement of benefits from your insurer.
Private health insurance is not an option for everyone. This is because you are only allowed to take out private health insurance if you belong to certain groups of people regulated by law. These are:
If you have the option of taking out private health insurance, you benefit from a broader scope of services than with a statutory health insurance plan. It is important to know that the booked benefits are agreed with the insurer. This means that you can adjust them to your individual needs.
The range of benefits varies, of course, depending on the insurer. In principle, however, you can expect the following additional benefits:
If your gross income exceeds 66,600 euros (as of 2023), your insurance obligation ceases at the end of the calendar year. This means that you can either remain voluntarily registered with the GKV or switch to a private health insurance. If your gross income is above the insurance limit, you will then be declared exempt from insurance after one year. If this declaration is made, you then have three months to decide to switch to private health insurance.
The return from a private health insurance to the GKV is only possible in certain cases. Basically, it applies that due to your life circumstances an insurance obligation arises again - for example, by the fact that you earn your living as an employee and your gross income remains below the insurance obligation, or because of unemployment. After the age of 55, however, this becomes very difficult.
Private insurers offer you supplementary health insurance in addition to the basic tariff. The purpose of these special tariffs is to supplement and complete your insurance coverage. They are compatible with both statutory and private health insurance. The purpose is to insure you for special cases, which can be adapted to your individual needs. This is especially useful if you are a member of a statutory health insurance. This way you get a more comprehensive insurance coverage.
If you are insured with a private health insurance company, it might also be worthwhile to take out special supplementary insurance policies if they are important to you. However, some insurers do not allow this and in any case it must be about supplementary and not substitute services. You must also make sure that the supplementary health tariffs do not result in overinsurance: That is, you pay twice, although the insurance case is covered by your PKV ready. In this respect, an insurance broker can help you to arrange your health insurance sensibly.
Classic examples of supplementary health insurance are:
Germany's health care system is structured in such a way that it benefits both from a principle of solidarity due to the way it is financed and from the economic efficiency of the services provided - because the health insurance system helps to determine the health care system.
Various players come together in the health care system: Hospitals, central and regional institutions, associations of patients, doctors, health professionals, and pharmacies. The function of all this cooperation is to protect the health of the population nationwide.
It is important to know that in Germany there is compulsory insurance as far as health is concerned. This means that all citizens must have health insurance. This is done either through the statutory health insurance funds or through private health insurance. While the scope of benefits offered by a statutory health insurance company is fixed by law, the private offer varies depending on the insurer.
Beyond the statutory health insurance and private health insurance, you can take out additional health insurance to round out your statutory or private insurance coverage as desired. Supplementary health insurance policies cover specific insurance cases, such as benefits from alternative practitioners or inpatient accommodation and private doctors.
A dental treatment abroad is becoming increasingly popular. This is because statutory health insurers only cover a fraction of the costs for many treatments. For members of the public health insurance system, this can mean a high personal contribution, especially for expensive dentures. For this reason, more and more patients are seeking dentists abroad. But where is it worthwhile to seek dental treatment at all, and does the health insurance company also contribute to the costs abroad?
Especially in Eastern European countries such as Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, but also in Turkey, dental treatment abroad can be worthwhile. This is because wages are generally lower in these countries, which reduces the fee costs. In addition, laboratory and material costs are also lower, which can lead to savings of several thousand euros.
However, there are costs associated with dental treatment abroad that are not incurred by a local dentist. These include expenses for travel, accommodation and meals. And depending on the procedure, patients may have to stay abroad for several days to attend not only for the treatment itself, but also for pre- and post-treatment care. This can significantly increase the overall costs.
In addition, depending on the measure, several appointments may be necessary, with weeks or months between them. For example, in the case of an implant. This is because it must first heal for three to six months before the final denture can be fitted. As a result, a second visit may be necessary. Some dental practices offer a so-called all-round package.
This includes other services in addition to the dental procedures. For example, accommodation and transport to and from the practice. However, in any case, it should be noted that the costs must always be paid immediately. Often even in cash. This is because not all foreign dental practices offer payment by instalments or financing.
Dental clinic in Hungary with certification
| Denture (implants with bone augmentation) | 5,450 Euro |
| Travel costs | 250 Euro |
| 10 nights in a simple hotel with private bathroom | 870 Euro |
| Total costs | 6,570 Euro |
For comparison: In Germany, a single implant including bone augmentation costs between 1,300 and 4,000 euros. Plus about 750 euros for the ceramic crown that is placed on top. For a full denture, you need a minimum of two implants and crowns. In Hungary, a single implant costs between 550 and 900 Euros.
| Dentures (ceramic bridges on implants) | 6,400 Euro |
| Travel costs | 250 Euro |
| 7 nights in a simple hotel with private bathroom | 870 Euro |
| Total costs | 7,520 Euro |
For comparison: For the same treatment in Germany, the patient pays from 10,000 euros depending on the fee, material and laboratory costs.
In addition to the total costs, there are expenses for meals and public transportation.
Many doctors present their services and practices on the Internet. More important than pictures, however, are the qualifications of the doctor. An existing certification such as an ISO mark can be an aid to assessment. This indicates that the practice is regularly inspected. The same applies to materials.
The consumer advice center advises looking for a suitable dentist abroad through one's own health insurance company. Many health insurance companies have contracts with dentists who must meet certain standards.
The statutory / public health insurance as well as private health insurance contributes to the costs of dental treatment abroad within the EU. The amount depends on the statutory standard of care or on your private health insurance contract. But in any case, you should have the treatment approved by your insurer in advance. For this purpose, the dentist prepares a treatment and cost plan, which is submitted to the health insurance company.
This not only has the advantage that patients know how much their co-payment will be before treatment begins. The dentist can also settle directly with the health insurance company. This means that patients do not have to pay in advance and only have to pay their own share to the dentist. If you have a private insurance, you settle the bill with the dentist and get a refund afterwards.
If the treatment is carried out without the approval of the health insurer, patients can still submit the invoice to their insurer. However, they must have the document translated at their own expense. But be careful: A prerequisite for the fixed permission for dentures is that the insured person has previously submitted a treatment and cost plan. And this must have been approved by the health insurer.
Dental insurance is designed to close the gap in coverage provided by statutory health insurance. Depending on the tariff, it pays the co-payment in full or on a pro rata basis. In this way, supplementary dental insurance not only protects against high costs at the dentist. It also makes beautiful teeth affordable.
Many dental insurers offer coverage not only in Germany. They also provide coverage for treatment in other European countries or worldwide. However, as with health insurance, it is advisable to discuss the planned measure with the insurer beforehand. In this way, the insured not only receive a fixed cost commitment, provided that the treatment is covered. They also know how much the company will contribute.
| Cost of dentures (ceramic bridges on implants in the posterior region) | 6,400 Euro |
| Fixed subsidy from the health insurance company | 600 Euro |
| Own contribution without dental insurance | 5,800 Euro |
| Cost sharing of supplementary dental insurance (90% for dentures) | 5,160 Euro |
| Own contribution with dental insurance | 640 Euro |
Without supplementary dental insurance, the co-payment for the dental prosthesis is 5,800 euros. Due to the good benefits of dental insurance, the co-payment is reduced to 640 euros. In addition, expenses for travel, accommodation and meals are incurred during treatment abroad. The insured persons bear these costs in full themselves.
The following insurers and tariffs offer benefits for dental treatment abroad:
| Barmenia Mehr Zahn 100 | Gothaer MediZ Duo90 | MüV ZahnGesund 85+ | |
| Denture with implants | 100% | 90% | 85-90% |
| Professional tooth cleaning | none | 100% | 85-100% |
| Dental fillings | none | 100% | 85-100% |
| Root canal treatment | none | 100% | 85-100% |
| Premium at age 35 | 22.50 Euro | 25.90 Euro | 17.90 Euro |
Good supplementary dental insurance not only provides coverage in Germany. They also provide coverage for dental procedures abroad. But regardless of this, it is always worthwhile to take out insurance to reduce the amount you have to pay at the dentist. Both in Germany and abroad.
Gothaer, Münchener Verein and Barmenia offer tariffs with good benefits for dentures in Germany and abroad. Nevertheless, it is important to tailor the tariff to your individual needs. Our experts will help you find the right tariff for your needs.
Benefit from our many years of experience. Please don't hesitate to schedule an appointment with us.
Companies need an entirely different insurance concept than private customers. On the one hand, for the very specific risks of entrepreneurial activity. On the other hand, for its owners and employees.
Being an entrepreneur always means taking risks. This includes, for example, investing in a new building or a machine. Or taking on a large customer order, developing an IT project or working as a service provider.
You cannot insure yourself against every entrepreneurial risk, but there is protection against financial consequences for many situations. Classic damages that are covered by insurance are:
Liability insurance protects you against claims for damages from customers. It is the most important insurance for companies, no matter in which industry you are active and whether you offer services or are at home in the manufacturing industry.
The scope of benefits of a liability insurance is:
Depending on the industry or occupational group, there are different types of liability insurance. Our experts will help you find the right cover and advise you on the advantages and disadvantages of the individual components.
Property insurance is comparable to private household insurance. The protection covers the inventory against damage caused by fire, tap water or burglary. In addition, natural hazard damage should be covered, i.e. flood or storm damage.
The same applies to buildings insurance. It is the counterpart to residential building insurance. Here, too, natural hazards must be covered by a separate module.
In addition to insurance for the company's assets or for protection against liability claims by third parties, there is also the possibility of insuring employees and managers. Here, company health insurance and company pension schemes are particularly relevant in Germany.
The occupational pension scheme is set up by the employer and belongs to the second layer of old-age provision in Germany.
As an employer, you are obliged to offer the employee the possibility of a company pension. However, you are not obliged to pay the employee a company pension. You only have to pay at least 15 per cent of the insurance premium if the employee wants a company pension.
There are the following options for occupational pensions:
1. Purely employer-financed company pension.
2. Mixed-financed occupational pension.
3. Employee-financed occupational pension (with 15% compulsory employer contribution).
The occupational pension scheme is attractive for the employee from a tax point of view. It is deducted directly from his gross salary and no income tax is due on it.
Thus, the gross amount is saved for the pension. In addition, the employee receives at least the 15 per cent subsidy from the employer. At retirement age, when the occupational pension is paid out, lower taxes are due and the employee benefits from the interest and tax effect.
Setting up an occupational pension is quite complex and requires a lot of advice. We are happy to help you with this. Whether you are an employer or an employee.
In addition to occupational pension schemes, occupational health insurance is becoming increasingly popular. Statutory health insurance is standard in Germany and the only choice for many employees.
However, the benefits are constantly being reduced. Not everyone has the option of taking out private health insurance. That is why company health insurance is a good supplement to insurance cover.
As an employer, you can choose from a variety of options for company health insurance:
The supplementary insurance is financed by the employer. Up to 40 euros per month are tax-free for the employee. For the employer, the bKV increases the attractiveness of the company and, in addition, the bKV reduces the average number of sick days in the workforce.
Patients with supplementary insurance receive appointments with doctors more quickly and have correspondingly shorter periods of absence.
Chambervelt, Rooselain & Cie is an independent insurance broker and has specialized in advising expats for years. We are not beholden to any company, but act in the best interests of our clients. As brokers, we have access to a wide range of insurance products and can find the best deal for you and your company.
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Establishing and raising a family in Germany has many benefits and steps that should be considered. Important matters like children healthcare, kindergartens, schools, choosing a good doctor, transport, and so on; should be planned, if possible, before making the decision to move to Germany and even better, before your child is born. Therefore it's very important to learn what options do you have when it comes to healthcare and health insurances for children in Germany.
The healthcare system in Germany is known to be as one of the best on the planet. The vast majority of the citizens and residents of Germany are joined in the state-run public health insurance system. This makes possible that even a simple man with a job, to have access to a reliable health system, regardless of status and income.
Nevertheless, there are some private insurance providers as well and are mainly sought by the high-salaried community to seek more exclusive healthcare benefits than other people.
German law makes it a compulsion for everyone to have health insurance coverage and the overall health insurance system is comprised of two parts - “statutory” or public health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) and private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung). The kind of health insurance that you can seek is dependent on how much you earn.
So, if you earn less than €64,350/year, public health insurance is for you. If your earnings are less than that but you are a freelancer, you can opt for private health insurance. Similarly, if you make more than €64,350/year, then doors are pretty much open if you want to choose either private or public healthcare.
However, when it comes to children’s health insurance, the scenario is a bit different, and this article explains it in detail for you:
Over 16% of Germany’s population are children and youth, making up around 13 million people in total, plus there are around 700,000 new births every year. Until the age of 12, those children who reside in cities are entitled to get healthcare from a pediatrician. In other cases, a general practitioner will look after your child’s healthcare.
When it comes to waiting times for children’s healthcare appointments, Germany has one of the lowest waiting times in Europe as most of the clinics can see your kid right on the same day. Not only that but you can also pick your preferred physician for your child’s treatment.
Until your child completes school, all diagnostics and therapies including psychotherapy, physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy are free and get covered by public and private health insurance.
As aforementioned, private, and public insurance can cover children in Germany. Although public insurance is free, however, if you have opted for private insurance, you need to have a personalized contract in order to pay out of pocket for your child’s healthcare. In case you and your partner or second parent use different insurance systems, then kids get covered by private insurance.
If your child is older than 12 years, then you will be charged for prescription drugs which have a cost of €9.73 on average. The German government puts an allowance which is known as Kindergeld for such parents who have a low income and pays for their children until they are aged 18.
Germany has maintained a very advanced and efficient healthcare mechanism for the children, equipped with the latest equipment and highly qualified medical professionals. German public health insurance is also known as gesetzliche Krankenversicherung or GKV and is suitable for all residents including children. The public health insurers are called Krankenkassen and once you have opted for one of them, you can sign up your kids as dependents for their free-of-charge treatment. Under this policy, if you give birth, the insurer covers the entire associated charges.
There is a variety of children’s healthcare services that can be accessed through the public health system in Germany, this includes:
Private health insurance is also named private Krankenversicherung or PKV. PKV is used by only around 10% of the German population and mainly features high-salaried people, freelancers, business owners, or other self-employed individuals. If you have chosen private insurance, you will need to have a contract for your child which would work as your dependent and you would require to pay regular premium payments for it.
If you end up paying for any care or treatment for your child, your insurer is supposed to reimburse the amount to you. It is worth mentioning that there are various private insurers that also offer family packages or discounts for children which is the best option if you are not able to get the state health insurance.
Social security or taxpayer’s contributions for public health insurance is 14.6% of your gross salary and half of it is paid by your employer. Each public healthcare insurer is permitted to charge an additional 1.7% which gets paid by the employer.
There is a cap on wages of €4,538, meaning that you will not have to pay more than €360 a month for public healthcare contributions. There’s a mandatory nursing care contribution of 3.05% if you have children which are shared by the worker and employer.
On contrary to that, the cost of private health insurance is not accurately regulated like public health and can vary in price. So, for a healthy child, you will be looking at €100 to €200 per month and for someone with risky health conditions, this could go up to €1,500 monthly.
Of course, life is much calmer with many insurances, but not all of them are reasonable. The most important German insurances can be reduced to a few.
Depending on your life situation, you should regularly check whether you require any additional insurance. A distinction must also be made between voluntary and compulsory insurance.
Therefore this article deals with the most important insurances in Germany, which are indispensable here.
Although private liability insurance is one of the voluntary insurances, it is also the most recommended insurance, which can protect you from financial ruin.
If a claim occurs in this category, the amounts are often so enormous that an average citizen usually cannot insure himself. This insurance covers personal injury and property damage to third parties - for example, if you carelessly drop your friend's smartphone in the pool.
As an insured person, you often also have the option of additionally insuring your unmarried children and your partner if necessary.
No one is safe from possible illnesses or accidents. Loss of income can occur at any time – be it due to an accident at work, burnout, or similar causes that prevent you from pursuing your original job.
It is particularly important for people with financially dependent family members or who live entirely off their earned income to protect themselves against existence-threatening risks with occupational disability insurance.
Compared to the United States, there is an obligation within the German healthcare system to have health insurance.
Everyone is required to have this statutory health and nursing insurance to be able to turn to a doctor in the event of illness without any worries. Otherwise, you will only be treated in an acute emergency.
For civil servants, self-employed workers, and people with higher incomes, it is worth considering switching to private health insurance, as it might be cheaper and can also provide better services than statutory health insurance.
If you are one of those who also travel frequently and therefore have stays abroad, it is advisable to get temporary or long-term international health insurance for these cases. In an emergency, this finances the ambulance transport to Germany.
Especially at the current time, many doubt the future possibility of a well-paid retirement. The life expectancy of German citizens continues to rise, and the payments into the pension fund that are automatically deducted from wages may not be sufficient in the long term. Concerning the future, it is therefore extremely important to take precautions before you’ve reached the retirement age because otherwise, the pension does not always live up to expectations.
In contrast, it is more advisable to deal with your desired pension and the associated pension gap in advance. This takes into account the time until retirement, inflation, and other aspects that provide information about achieving the desired pension. However, this can also be specifically influenced by a pension plan: Voluntarily increasing the pension insurance ensures that you do not end up penniless in old age.
old German states |
new German states |
|
women |
741 Euro |
1.065 Euro |
men |
1.179 Euro |
1.249 Euro |
Average amount of pension in Germany, split up in old West German states and new-formed German states as well as women and men. (Source: Aktuelle Daten 2022 - Statistik der Deutschen Rentenversicherung)
Since a common cause of damage to people and their property is with one's vehicle, liability insurance is mandatory for every vehicle in Germany in order to be able to take part in road traffic at all. Depending on the value of the vehicle, partial or fully comprehensive insurance should also be considered in addition to basic liability insurance.
In life, unexpected things can happen at any time. You might be afraid, that something could happen to you and that your relatives would then be left without any stability in life.
However, you can also secure this case with a clear conscience. In the event of death (usually up to a maximum age), term life insurance pays the sum insured and ensures that the persons named in the insurance policy receive this sum.
In addition to the statutory nursing insurance, which covers the basic necessities, supplementary long-term care insurance is also recommended if the benefits of the nursing insurance are to be increased. Should you ever need extended care service, this will be great financial support. This insurance mostly makes sense from the age of 50. Of course, the premiums are cheaper the younger and healthier you are when you start the insurance.
Anyone who owns a property is extremely afraid of losing it. Consequently, it is also crucial to protect this property against possible dangers. Common damage such as fire, water, but also elemental damage destroys your home immediately.
In order to not become homeless in such circumstances, the building insurance secures the property for the owner. Usually, when buying a house, the existing building insurance of the previous homeowner is taken over.
When it comes to building insurance, it is also essential to ensure that gross negligence (“Grobe Fahrlässigkeit”) is covered, as damage to a home is often self-inflicted.
While the building insurance covers the property itself and the fixed inventory such as heating systems, household contents insurance takes care of the furnishings. Their value can increase enormously in an apartment or house. If you then face some damage to your interior, the household insurance covers the entire content. Clothing, furniture, and any equipment are then fully protected against the usual damage such as fire, tap water, and burglary.
This is a question you have to keep asking yourself when it comes to insurance.
Once you have gone through these steps, you can rest easy knowing that you have the best possible protection without taking out unnecessary insurance.
AOK is one of the largest and most popular health insurers in Germany. Around a third of the German population is insured with the company. The insurer also offers coverage for expats and students from abroad. Here you can find out what insurance cover the AOK offers and how much it costs for students and expats.
The insurer offers an online platform in English that answers the most important questions about health insurance in Germany. In addition, there is a multilingual AOK health insurance contact via service hotline that you can use to get direct advice. This makes it easier for your to contact the health insurer. At selected universities, the AOK study service also offers personal counseling close to the campus.
In addition, the AOK health insurance offers its members various additional services that go beyond the statutory insurance coverage. The insurer takes over or contributes to the costs in selected health courses for yoga, fitness and nutrition. Members can also participate in free webinars. For example about "Studying and Working in Germany”.
Here are some of the benefits you can have with AOK coverage:
The price of the AOK health insurance depends on your income. You pay 14.6 percent for your health insurance. In addition, there is an additional contribution from your health insurance company, depending on which AOK you are insured. On average, the additional contribution is 1.3 percent. In 2022, the price for AOK health insurance will be 15.9 percent of gross income.
Are you in Germany as an employee? Then your employer pays half of the contribution.
If you are here as a student, there are two possibilities. Either your parents also live in Germany and you are under 25 years old, then you can insure yourself free of charge with your parents. (Cover for family members).
If you are over 25 or cannot use your parents' insurance, you must insure yourself. But the AOK offers you a cheap student insurance with low contributions.
AOK is a public health insurance. It is open to all persons in Germany who are required to take out health insurance. However, there are different business units within the AOK, each of which operates independently. For example, the regional AOK Baden-Württemberg if you are in Heidelberg or Stuttgart, or the AOK Bayern for Munich. Which AOK is responsible for you depends on where you are going to work or study.
You can find more information online on the AOK health insurance website or contact the service hotline. Our experts are also available to help you.
Foreigners planning a temporary trip to Germany need to set up comprehensive insurance when making their preparations, particularly if using a Visa.
These kind of health insurances are calculated as a mere risk-coverage and not a substitute for a “real” health insurance under German laws (for better understanding of the legal requirements for health insurance in Germany, read HERE).
Therefore, they are time-limited and legally only compliant for non-EU-citizen who come to Germany based on a Visa. EU-citizen must only use this kind of insurance if their stay is expected to be short-term and the insurance is meant only as a supplement to their own national/state health insurance.
All too often in the many years of advising Expats in Germany we have come about cases where EU-citizen used these kind of insurances for several months or even years. Because these travel-health-insurances are only meant for Visa-foreigners coming in to Germany, the use of them comes with two warnings especially for EU-citizens:
Health insurance is required for the visa application or for the visa issue (Schengen visa). The so-called Schengen visa is a document issued by the competent authorities to allow people to travel and move freely within the Schengen area.
Special requirements for insurance cover apply for Germany and for all Schengen states. More details can be found in Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas, as revised on 5 April 2010. It is the legal basis for issuing visas in all Schengen states.
In general, it is also possible to cancel your household insurance due to moving. However, certain conditions must be met, and these are not present in every change of residence. These restrictions are also understandable, as home insurance:
In most cases, an adjustment of the insurance coverage will be necessary, but the contract will continue. Due to these restrictions, it is not always easy to terminate the contract. Canceling home insurance due to moving requires special conditions.
Usually, a simple change of apartment is not enough. This is especially the case if you, as the insured person, move into an empty apartment with your household goods. The situation is different if two households are merged. So if you move into a furnished apartment and your partner already has household insurance, you can cancel your own insurance.
It is much less complicated to cancel household insurance due to a move in the form of a household breakup. This happens more often with seniors moving into a nursing home. Also, a permanent move abroad allows for cancellation, as the impact of household insurance is limited to short trips.
On the other hand, you are entitled to a special right of termination, with which you can cancel household insurance due to a move if higher costs result from the change of residence and a new tariff zone for the calculation of contributions.
Yes, you can cancel your home insurance if you give up your apartment. However, there are a few things you should consider:
If you want to cancel your home insurance because you are giving up your apartment, you should therefore inform yourself in good time and submit the cancellation in writing. This ensures that the contract is terminated on time and you do not have unnecessary costs.
A household insurance policy typically covers damages to or loss of household goods and personal belongings due to a range of events, such as fires, storms, burglaries, and accidents. The specific coverage of a household insurance policy may vary depending on the insurer and the specific policy.
Some examples of items that may be covered by a household insurance policy include:
It is important to carefully review the terms of your household insurance policy to understand what is and is not covered. Some policies may have exclusions or limitations on certain types of coverage, and it is important to be aware of these in order to make informed decisions about your insurance needs.
There are a few steps you can take to help find the best household insurance policy for your needs:
It may also be helpful to seek advice from an insurance broker or agent, who can assist you in finding the right policy for your needs. We at CR&Cie have many years of experience in advising expats in Germany. Contact us now to find the best insurance for your needs.