Higher GKV contributions, a new charge for some partners and rising out-of-pocket costs change the comparison. For eligible higher earners—and some families—private health insurance deserves a fresh look.
| Illustrative proposed 2027 childless example | Monthly amount |
|---|---|
| Total health and care contributions before employer support | About €1,417 |
| Employee share outside Saxony | About €733 |
| Self-employed without employer subsidy | Normally the full contribution |
Dates matter: the example uses provisional 2027 thresholds and a nursing-care proposal. The separate charge for some family-insured partners begins in 2028; it is excluded from these figures. Read the assumptions and exemptions below.
Public insurance is often presented as the obvious financial choice for a family. That can still be true. But the useful question is what your household pays for the cover it actually wants: health insurance, compulsory long-term care insurance, any partner contribution, dental bills and supplementary policies. A high GKV contribution does not automatically buy comprehensive private benefits.
Around €1,400 a month? Look at the whole bill.
The draft 2027 figures put the health contribution ceiling at €6,375 a month (€76,500 a year). Using the 14.6% general health rate and a 2.9% provider additional rate gives an illustrative health contribution of €1,115.63 a month. The 2.9% is the 2026 average, not a confirmed 2027 rate; your health provider’s rate may differ.
Care insurance comes on top. Under existing care rules and the draft 2027 special threshold of €6,075 a month, a childless adult aged 23+ at the 4.2% care rate would pay approximately €1,370.78 in combined health and care contributions. The separate nursing-care reform proposal would raise the care ceiling to the general employee threshold and the childless surcharge to 0.7 percentage points. Using a €7,012.50 monthly care ceiling and care rates of 4.3% for childless adults or 3.6% for a parent with one child, the combined total becomes approximately €1,417.16 a month; for a parent with one child, about €1,368.08.
These are total contributions, before employer support—not every employee’s personal bill. Outside Saxony, the employee share in the proposed childless example is about €733.13; a self-employed person without an employer subsidy generally bears the full amount. The 2027 thresholds and nursing-care proposal are not yet final. These examples assume statutory sick-pay cover and exclude any partner surcharge.
A partner at home can change the calculation
From 2028, some currently family-insured spouses and registered partners will trigger a 2.5% health contribution surcharge on the main member’s contribution-liable income. At an illustrative €6,375 monthly assessment base, that is another €159.38 a month. The actual 2028 ceiling will determine the amount.
This does not apply to every stay-at-home partner. Children remain contribution-free when eligible, and exemptions include families with children under 12, qualifying disability or caring circumstances, partners above the standard retirement age and permanently fully incapacitated partners. TK explains the 2028 rules.
For a household affected by the surcharge, one of GKV’s familiar financial advantages becomes smaller. That can bring a well-chosen PKV package closer to—or below—the household’s statutory cost. It is a reason to obtain real family quotes, rather than assume that private insurance is financially out of reach.
Dental bills and medication matter too
From 2027, the standard dental replacement subsidy falls from 60% to 50% of the cost of standard care, with lower bonus percentages too; hardship protection remains. This is not a percentage of any implant bill you choose. Prescription co-payment limits rise from €5–€10 to €7.50–€15, while the annual statutory burden limits remain 2% of household income, or 1% for qualifying chronic illness. BMG sets out the benefit changes.
Our view: when you already pay a substantial statutory contribution and still budget for dental treatment or extra cover, stronger PKV benefits can offer better value. Look closely at the actual dental reimbursement, implants, medication, deductibles and benefit limits. Private cover only closes a gap if the chosen tariff covers it.
Which families could benefit?
The comparison is especially worth exploring for eligible higher earners, high-earning self-employed people, couples facing the new partner charge, and civil-servant families with Beihilfe. Younger applicants in good health who want stronger cover may find the combination of price and benefits attractive.
PKV health cover normally requires a separate premium for each family member. Eligible GKV children’s cover remains a substantial advantage, and mixed GKV/PKV households must check whether children can remain family-insured. The PKV Association explains family arrangements. Compare all household premiums after employer support, plus deductibles, sick-pay cover and likely extra bills. Include future children and retirement in the budget: private premiums can rise too.
The drawback: joining PKV becomes harder
Two different limits matter. The Beitragsbemessungsgrenze caps the income used to calculate GKV contributions; raising it makes statutory cover more expensive for people above the old ceiling. The Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze determines whether most employees can leave compulsory GKV.
The draft general employee threshold for 2027 is €84,150 a year, compared with €77,400 in 2026. Both health limits include a special €3,600 annual increase (Sonderanhebung) on top of the regular adjustment. An employee earning €80,000 may therefore face higher GKV costs while falling below the general PKV entry threshold. Special and transitional rules can apply. Self-employed people and civil servants follow different eligibility rules.
Paying more makes a proper comparison worthwhile
The reforms strengthen the financial case for considering PKV where eligibility, family costs and the tariff line up. They do not guarantee savings for every family. But if your statutory bill approaches €1,400 before subsidies, your partner adds a contribution and dental costs remain on top, private cover can be a financially viable option with benefits you value.
Tell Unconfuse about your work, family and plans. We can connect you with a suitable specialist partner to compare the complete household cost and cover. Talk through your options →
Reviewed 3 October 2026. Illustrations use draft thresholds and stated rates; they are not quotations. Sources also include BMG: health contributions, BMG: care rates and §55 SGB XI: existing care ceiling. Recheck final 2027 figures and the status of the nursing-care proposal before making a decision.