If you’ve been considering changing from statutory (public) to private health insurance in Germany, the deadline to terminate your existing healthcare policy is quickly approaching.
Before the 30 September deadline, applicants will need to secure a private health insurance policy and give formal notice to cancel or change certain insurance contracts for the upcoming year. (This would be in written form of course!).
Below is an overview of what that deadline means — and whether switching to private insurance might be right for you.
What the Deadline Means
- Private health insurance (PVK) contracts typically run on a calendar-year basis.
- In this case, you must submit your cancellation request in writing by 30 September so that it becomes effective at the end of the insurance year.
- Check your particular contract, if your insurance year is different (some PKV contracts have a different cycle).
- Note: Simply cancelling is not enough — you must provide proof of new insurance (whether public or another private policy) so that there is no gap.
So, if you are thinking of switching and want the change to take effect from the start of the next calendar year, 30 September is often your cut-off.
| Feature | Statutory Health Insurance (GKV) | Private Health Insurance (PKV) |
| Basis of cost | Income-based contributions. If you earn less, you pay less. Family members (spouse, children) with low or no income can often be insured without additional cost in many cases. | Premiums based on your age, health status, chosen benefits/tariff. Not tied to income. No free family coverage; each person insured individually. |
| Eligibility | If you are an employee below the compulsory insurance ceiling (Versicherungspflichtgrenze, you must (or are required) to have public insurance. | Available to employees above a certain income threshold, self-employed, civil servants, students in some cases. The annual salary requirement for 2025 if 73,800€ and is projected at 77,400€ in 2026. |
| Scope of services | Defined by law; standard benefits. Some limits for special treatments, elective benefits, etc. Waiting times can be longer; choice of specialists can have restrictions. | More flexibility: you can choose more extensive or premium options (single hospital rooms, broader coverage on prescriptions, more options for specialists, alternative medicine, and often faster appointments times. |
| Financial risk / long-term cost | Costs scale with income; so in downturns your contributions decrease. No risk surcharge for pre-existing conditions. Lower administrative burden and less risk of unexpected cost increases (beyond what the law allows). | Premiums may be more favourable if you are young & healthy, and if you choose a lean tariff; but costs tend to rise with age, and there are risk surcharges for health conditions. Once older, premiums can become expensive. Limited options to move back to public insurance later. |
Why Many People Choose Private Insurance
Here are common motivations for people opting for PKV:
- Faster access / better service — shorter wait times for specialists, possibly more luxurious hospital accommodations.
- More comprehensive benefits — ability to pick more premium services, coverage for treatments not always covered under public tariffs.
- Potential cost savings (for some people) — if you are young, healthy, have a high income, private insurance may cost less than public when the public contribution (based on income) becomes large.
- Customizability — you can tailor your insurance package: choose what extra benefits you want (e.g. dental, alternative treatments) and decide on deductibles, etc., to manage your premiums.
What the Deadline Means for You – What to Do Now
- Check your current insurance contract – find out what is your insurance year, what are the cancellation notice periods, what are the requirements for switching.
- Decide early which system you want for next year, and whether private insurance makes sense for you (consider age, health, family situation, income stability).
- Gather proof of eligibility – if moving to private, you will need to show you meet the income threshold (or other criteria), and confirm you have new insurance before the switch.
- Give notice in writing by the deadline (often 30 September) if your contract ends at the calendar year. Otherwise you might be locked in for another year.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Once you move into private insurance, switching back to statutory insurance later can be very difficult (especially after certain ages or if incomes rise/fall).
- Private insurance premiums usually increase over time, particularly with age and health changes. You need to think long term: are you prepared for those increases?
- Family costs: in private insurance each family member must be insured separately, which can be costly if you have children or a non-working spouse.
- Health status matters: pre-existing conditions can lead to risk surcharges or exclusions.
- Administrative burden: With private insurance you often pay first and then get reimbursed; more paperwork.
The 30 September deadline represents a key cut-off for many people who want to switch health insurance to take effect at the start of the next insurance/ calendar year. If you’re thinking about changing, you should act before then: understand your eligibility, compare costs, choose tariffs, and send in your cancellation and proof of new insurance in good time.
Need Support? We’re Happy to Help
Navigating the German health insurance system can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re unsure whether private insurance is right for you, or if you’d like help with the paperwork and deadlines, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.
If you’ve missed this year’s deadlines, mark your calendar for next year. We recommend the following timeline to give you amble time for the private insurance application and to cancel your existing compulsory insurance.
⏱ Average Timeline to Secure Private Health Insurance
- Initial consultation & choosing a tariff – a few days
- You compare providers and tariffs, decide what benefits you want, and confirm that you meet eligibility (income threshold, self-employment, civil servant, student, etc.).
- Application submission – 1–3 days
- You fill out an application form, including a detailed health questionnaire.
- Health risk assessment – 1–3 weeks
- The insurer reviews your application.
- If you have pre-existing conditions, they may request additional doctor’s reports or test results, which can extend the process.
- Approval & policy issuance – 1 week
- Once the insurer accepts you, they issue the insurance contract. You’ll then receive official confirmation of coverage.