Transparency

What public insurance pays for teeth, and what a top-up adds

Statutory health insurance in Germany covers dental treatment, but for dentures, crowns and implants it pays a fixed subsidy based on standard care, so the patient pays the difference to the treatment actually chosen. Supplementary dental insurance reimburses that difference according to the tariff, after benefit scales in the first years and, at most providers, without a waiting period. The guide explains the public subsidy, private and supplementary cover, orthodontics, plan levels and costs, and compares ottonova, Getsafe and Feather, the three providers serving expats in English.
Written by
Janine El-Saghir
Reviewed by
Erkan Boga
Edited by
Sadie Voss

Statutory health insurance in Germany pays for dental treatment, but for crowns, bridges, dentures and implants it pays a fixed subsidy towards the cheapest standard solution, not a share of the treatment you choose. That gap is what supplementary dental insurance (Zahnzusatzversicherung) fills, for a monthly premium that starts in single figures and rises with age. The comparison below groups the plans our product database lists by coverage level; the sections after it explain what public insurance pays, how a top-up policy calculates its reimbursement, and what the three providers with English-language service publish about waiting periods, benefit scales and contract terms.

Dental insurance in Germany: at a glance
  • Public health insurance (GKV) covers defined medically necessary dental care and pays a fixed subsidy toward eligible dental prostheses.
  • Private health insurance (PKV) includes dental benefits according to the selected comprehensive health-insurance tariff.
  • Supplementary dental insurance can extend GKV protection for higher-quality treatment, dentures, implants, professional cleaning and orthodontics.
  • The right dental insurance depends on coverage, reimbursement limits, waiting periods, dental health and price, not simply the provider name.
  • Three providers offer supplementary dental cover with English-language service: ottonova (a licensed health insurer; the online application itself is in German), Getsafe and Feather (licensed intermediaries). None of the three applies a waiting period; all three cap reimbursement for dentures in the first years (provider websites and terms, as of 24 September 2026).

Dental insurance plans in Germany compared

The cards show the monthly starting premium of each plan from our product database, grouped by how much of the treatment they reimburse:

Entry-level plans
Mid-tier plans
Comprehensive plans
Dental Insurance Base
Monthly from
€8.80
€70-€200/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
70%-100% denture coverage
70%-100% diagnostic coverage
Anesthesia not covered
Dental 70
Monthly from
€8.80
€70/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
70% denture coverage
70% diagnostic coverage
Orthodontics and anesthesia not covered
Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€8.80
€80/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
75% denture coverage
75% diagnostic coverage
0-100% anesthesia covered
Dental 85
Monthly from
€9.81
€170/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
85% denture coverage
85% diagnostic coverage
Anesthesia not covered
Comfort Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€6.90
€150/year dental cleaning
90% treatment coverage
90% denture coverage
90% diagnostic coverage
Includes basic prosthetics & implant coverage
Reduced out-of-network coverage
75+ Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€7.90
Up to €150/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
75–80% denture coverage
75% diagnostic coverage
Basic implant & orthodontics coverage included
Lower overall reimbursement
Base Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€9.10
€100/year dental cleaning
50% treatment coverage
50% denture coverage
50% diagnostic coverage
Basic implant & orthodontics included
High out-of-pocket (50% self-pay)
Low value for expensive treatments

Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.

Dental 100
Monthly from
€15.42
€180/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
100% denture coverage
100% diagnostic coverage
100% anesthesia covered
Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€10.90
€150/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
100% denture coverage
70-100% diagnostic coverage
70-100% anesthesia covered
Dent70 Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€11.19
€70/year dental cleaning (1×/year)
75% treatment coverage
70% denture coverage
~75% diagnostic coverage
Basic implant & inlay coverage included
Lower overall reimbursement (70% cap)
Higher out-of-pocket for crowns/implants
Comfort Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€12.60
€140/year dental cleaning
70% treatment coverage
70% denture coverage
70% diagnostic coverage
Covers implants & orthodontics
Mid-tier coverage excludes implants
85+ Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€12.90
€170/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
85–90% denture coverage
85–100% diagnostic coverage
€150/year for anesthesia
Still 10–15% gap for expensive prosthetics
Premium Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€13.90
€180/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
100% denture coverage
100% diagnostic coverage
100% orthodontics coverage
Strong implant & prosthetic coverage
Network dependency for full benefits
Premium Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€14.30
€160/year dental cleaning
90% treatment coverage
90% denture coverage
90–100% diagnostic coverage
Strong implant & prosthetic coverage
10% gap on expensive treatments
Dental Care 90
Monthly from
€15.50
70-100%/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
90% denture coverage
90% diangostic coverage
90-100% anesthesia covered
Premium Plus Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€16.90
€200/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
100% denture coverage
100% diagnostic coverage
100% orthodontics coverage
Highest monthly premium
Exclusive Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€17.80
€200/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
100% denture coverage
100% diagnostic coverage
100% implant & orthodontics coverage
No waiting period
Dent.90 Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€18.43
€160/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
80–90% denture coverage
100% diagnostic coverage
No waiting period for treatments
Unspecified anesthesia coverage

Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.

Dent.90+ Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€20.47
€160/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
90% denture coverage
100% diagnostic coverage
Advanced treatments covered
No waiting period
100 Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€21.90
€200/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
100% denture coverage
100% diagnostic coverage
Includes bleaching
Includes orthodontics
Highest monthly premium
Dent.100 Dental Insurance
Monthly from
€37.36
€200/year dental cleaning
100% treatment coverage
90–100% denture coverage
100% diagnostic coverage
Includes orthodontics
Includes extras like bleaching

Advertising notice: provider links in this overview are affiliate links — we receive a commission from the provider for sign-ups made through them.

The comparison above groups plans by coverage level. To compare insurance companies, English-language service, digital claims and provider-specific tariff structures, see our German dental insurance provider comparison.

Supplementary dental insurance in English: ottonova, Getsafe, Feather

Most of the plans in the comparison are sold by German insurers in German. Three providers serve customers in English, and they differ in ways that matter more than the monthly premium: whether the application is in English, who underwrites the policy, how long the benefit scale caps reimbursement, and how long you are bound.

Supplementary dental insurance with English-language service (provider websites and policy terms, as of 24 September 2026)
Criterion ottonova Getsafe Feather
Who you contract with ottonova Krankenversicherung AG, a licensed private health insurer Getsafe Digital GmbH sells and manages the policy as a licensed intermediary; the insurer is andsafe AG Feather (Popsure Deutschland GmbH) is a licensed insurance agent; the insurer is Barmenia Krankenversicherung AG
Plans Dental 70, 85 and 100, called Zahn 70/85/100 in the German terms (plus “+” variants with a higher cleaning allowance) One plan with a selectable denture rate of 75, 90 or 100 per cent Basic and Advanced
Dentures and implants 70, 85 or 100 per cent of the bill (less at a private-only dentist) 75, 90 or 100 per cent Basic: only what public insurance pays; Advanced: 80 to 100 per cent
Waiting period None None None; treatment already scheduled before the application is not covered
Benefit scale in the first years Dental 70: €800 in year 1 up to €3,200 in years 1 to 4; Dental 85: €1,000 to €4,000; Dental 100: €1,250 to €5,000; unlimited from year 5 €1,500 in year 1, €3,000 in years 1 to 2, €4,500 in years 1 to 3; unlimited from year 4; previous cover counts Advanced: €1,500 in years 1 to 3 with at most one missing tooth, unlimited from year 4; lower with two or three missing teeth
Professional cleaning €70 to €90 per cleaning, €70 to €180 a year depending on plan 100 per cent up to a yearly cap set in the tariff sheet €150 a year (Basic); €200 a year with a 20 per cent co-payment (Advanced)
Orthodontics Not in Dental 70; Dental 85 and 100 up to €1,500 or €2,000 in ten years for children, Dental 100 also for adults after an accident Covered for under-21s when medically necessary; adults only after an accident or malformation Up to €2,000 on top of public cover if treatment starts before the 21st birthday
Minimum term and cancellation Two insurance years, then three months’ notice to the end of the year (policy terms; the website says monthly) Twelve months, then daily Not stated on the product page
Language of application and terms English website; the online application “can still only be completed in German”; terms in German English application; contract language is German, the English terms are for convenience only English application; insurer’s terms in German
Who can apply Residents of Germany not privately insured for hospital treatment; three health questions Members of German public health insurance, from age 18 in the price calculator No age limits in the insurer’s terms
Sources: ottonova Zahn 70/85/100 tariff terms and English plan page; Getsafe dental terms (February 2026) and English product page; Feather product page with the plan comparison the provider publishes (updated 3 March 2026) and Barmenia tariff terms; all read on 24 September 2026. Premiums: see the cards above, which our product database refreshes.

ottonova

ottonova is the only one of the three that is itself an insurer, and the only one whose tariffs run without any waiting period and with a benefit scale that reaches an unlimited amount only from the fifth year. Its three plan levels reimburse dentures at 70, 85 or 100 per cent, dental treatment at 100 per cent, and add a cleaning allowance and, from Dental 85 upwards, orthodontics for children. The contract binds you for two insurance years. ottonova’s English website explains the plans and offers support in English, but the online application is still in German; the premium table it links to is dated December 2021, so treat the “from” price as an entry price for young adults and check the calculator for your age.

Getsafe

Getsafe sells one dental plan with three denture rates and no waiting period. The benefit scale runs three years and previous dental cover is credited against it. The policy requires membership of German public health insurance and ends with it, the contract language is German, and the price calculator starts at age 18. Getsafe Digital GmbH is the licensed intermediary; since the company gave up its own insurer licence in October 2025, the insurer behind the policy is andsafe AG, which its terms name as the contractual partner.

Feather

Feather’s dental cover is underwritten by Barmenia Krankenversicherung AG and sold in two plans. The distinction to read twice: the Basic plan does not add anything to public cover for dentures and implants, it pays for cleaning, higher-quality fillings, root-canal and gum treatment within a limit of €150 in each of the first two years; only the Advanced plan reimburses tooth replacement, at 80 to 100 per cent and with a scale that depends on how many teeth are missing when you apply. Neither plan has a waiting period, but treatment for which an appointment already existed is excluded. Feather publishes no premium on its product page; the card in the mid-tier group shows the price from our product database.

Public dental insurance coverage in Germany

Dental insurance coverage in Germany
Photo: DjelicS / iStock

Statutory German health insurance operates on the principle of solidarity. Its nationwide rules establish a common baseline of standard dental benefits (Regelversorgung), although individual Krankenkassen may offer additional voluntary benefits.

Insured individuals must pay additional costs for treatment that exceeds standard care. For crowns, bridges, dentures and implants, the personal contribution can be substantial because GKV reimbursement is based on the standard-care solution rather than the full price of the treatment selected.

Public dental treatment and denture benefits

People with public insurance have the same entitlement to insurance benefits for treatment and dentures. Certain dental services are not reimbursable.

Approved medically necessary treatment is covered according to the statutory benefit catalogue. For dentures, the subsidy is based on the diagnosis-related fixed subsidy (befundbezogener Festzuschuss) for standard care. Depending on documented regular check-ups, this fixed subsidy equals:

  • 60% of the standard-care amount without a bonus booklet
  • 70% of the standard-care amount if patients have kept a bonus booklet for five years, have their teeth checked once a year by a dentist and have the examination certified by a stamp
  • 75% of the standard-care amount if the annual dental checkups can be documented in the bonus booklet without gaps for ten years.

Patients with a qualifying low income can apply for the statutory hardship provision. Supplementary dental insurance is a separate option for extending protection beyond public standard care.

Standard care determines the public subsidy

The reimbursement percentages can initially appear generous. However, the standard benefit is the benchmark for the subsidy. Statutory standard care is intended to provide sufficient, appropriate and economical treatment; optional upgrades are not included in that calculation.

Public insurance bases its denture subsidy on the defined standard-care option for the diagnosis. Patients remain free to choose a different recognized treatment, but normally pay the additional cost unless another insurer reimburses it.

Fixed Subsidy vs. Treatment-Based Coverage

The most important point for expats is that German public health insurance does not pay 60% to 75% of the treatment you personally choose. For dentures and crowns, it pays 60% to 75% of the cheapest standard-care solution for your diagnosis. If you choose a ceramic crown, implant, or other high-end solution, the public subsidy usually stays the same and you pay the extra amount yourself unless you have supplementary dental insurance.

Additional costs for treatment above standard care

This policy regarding Germany dental treatment costs means patients can face a higher personal contribution when choosing more expensive materials or treatment.

The KZBV publishes a 2026 example involving one missing upper canine. For the specified standard bridge, the fixed subsidy is €791.34 without a bonus, €923.25 with five years of documented examinations, €989.19 with ten years, and €1,318.92 under the hardship provision. These amounts apply only to that stated diagnosis and standard-care combination; they are not universal subsidies for every crown, bridge or implant (example of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists, KZBV, effective 1 January 2026).

Limits of statutory dental services

  • Exclusion of certain services such as crown veneers in the lateral area or teeth whitening (bleaching).
  • Often high co-payment, especially for dentures
  • Professional teeth cleaning is not a uniform nationwide statutory benefit; some Krankenkassen provide voluntary subsidies
  • Reimbursement of dental costs only based on standard benefits, no reimbursement for higher quality treatment

Private dental insurance coverage in Germany

Freelancers, the self-employed and employees who meet the applicable eligibility requirements can take out Germany private health insurance. For employees, the general compulsory insurance threshold is €77,400 per year or €6,450 per month in 2026 (Social Insurance Reference Values Ordinance 2026). Germany student private health insurance can also be an option in eligible cases.

Private dental benefits depend on the selected comprehensive health-insurance tariff. Reimbursement remains subject to the contract’s percentages, deductibles, fee-schedule rules, annual limits and exclusions.

Dental care in private health insurance

Private policies may reimburse eligible costs for advanced dental treatments, preventive care, dentures and orthodontic treatment. Depending on the tariff, dental benefits can be subject to a deductible, reimbursement percentage or other contractual limit.

Depending on the tariff, private health insurance may cover the following dental health services:

Preventive dental treatment

  • Instructions from the dentist on preventive dental care
  • Professional teeth cleaning
  • Sealing of dental fissures

Private benefits for tooth preservation

  • Caries treatment/filling with modern materials that meet the current standard of dentistry
  • Root canal treatment and additional services for precise diagnostics and therapy

Private dental prosthesis coverage

Depending on the tariff, dental prosthesis benefits may cover treatment in accordance with modern standards:

  • Bridges, dental implants, dental prostheses
  • Dental crowns and inlay fillings

Private orthodontic treatment coverage

Orthodontic reimbursement varies by tariff and may depend on age, medical necessity, treatment timing and contract limits. Purely aesthetic services, including teeth whitening, should not be assumed to be covered unless the policy expressly includes them.

Important: confirmation of cost coverage before treatment begins

For major planned dental treatment, request a treatment and cost plan from the dentist. Submit it to the insurer before treatment begins and ask for written confirmation of the expected reimbursement.

Public and private dental coverage compared

Private health-insurance tariffs may provide broader dental benefits than statutory standard care, although the actual reimbursement depends on the selected tariff and its limits. Basic tariffs can provide a scope of benefits closer to the public system. Private insurance reimburses eligible dental treatment according to the selected tariff, subject to its reimbursement percentages, deductibles, fee-schedule limits and exclusions.

Treatment costs for privately insured individuals are billed individually according to the scale of fees for dentists.

Supplementary dental insurance coverage in Germany

The level of supplementary dental coverage directly affects how much you may pay for high-cost treatment. The table below explains the general differences between plan levels without assigning the hub’s broad intent to individual providers.

General dental insurance plan levels for publicly insured patients (as of 24 September 2026)
Plan level Typical focus Important limitations
Entry-level Professional cleaning, preventive care and selected basic treatment May provide little or no protection for crowns, implants or other expensive dental prostheses
Mid-tier Preventive care plus stronger reimbursement for fillings, crowns, bridges and other tooth replacement Percentage limits, benefit scales and implant restrictions can still leave a personal contribution
Comprehensive Higher reimbursement for eligible treatment, dentures and implants Higher premiums do not remove exclusions for existing or previously recommended treatment
Source: plan structures as described in the providers’ tariff terms listed in the sources block; actual reimbursement depends on the tariff, benefit scale, waiting periods, exclusions and the treatment-cost calculation.

Supplementary dental insurance is a private policy for people with public health insurance who want additional protection for eligible treatment beyond GKV standard care.

Coverage is not uniform. Depending on the tariff, it may include professional cleaning, higher-quality fillings, crowns, bridges, dentures, implants and orthodontic treatment.

However, you will only be reimbursed for dental care that is explicitly covered by the policy. For example: If your tariff does not cover professional teeth cleaning, you will have to bear the costs yourself. If your tariff only covers preventive care and basic treatment, expensive dentures, implants, or crowns may still be excluded.

Supplementary dental insurance reimbursement

If you have taken out a private policy, the insurer reimburses eligible dental costs to the extent agreed in the contract. Advertised reimbursement can reach 80% to 100% in some tariffs, but the percentage may include the GKV subsidy and remains subject to benefit scales, limits and exclusions.

If you use the benefits of your additional private dental insurance in Germany, you will still receive the subsidy from your public health insurance provider for standard care. From your dentist, you will receive an invoice for any additional services, which you submit to the insurance company.

Reliable tooth protection for children and adults

Supplementary dental insurance is normally taken out as an individual policy for each insured person. Any family-related pricing or offer depends on the provider.

If you want to insure several family members, it is important to choose individual rates that provide optimum dental cover for children and adults.

Dental insurance for children and young adults

GKV orthodontic treatment is generally provided for children and adolescents who have not yet turned 18 when treatment begins and whose condition meets the applicable medical criteria. Adults normally qualify only when a severe jaw abnormality requires combined orthodontic and jaw-surgery treatment (§ 29 SGB V and the orthodontic guideline of the Federal Joint Committee).

Prophylaxis and tooth preservation are also relevant issues for children. Dentures can be necessary after accidents, but also then, when permanent teeth do not grow for genetic reasons.

Parents considering additional cover should compare age limits, orthodontic criteria, lifetime reimbursement caps and exclusions before treatment is recommended or begins.

Dental insurance for adults

For adults, protection for crowns, bridges, dentures and implants can be more financially significant than reimbursement for predictable preventive services. Compare tooth-replacement benefits alongside prophylaxis, fillings and tooth-preserving treatment rather than selecting a tariff from its cleaning allowance alone.

Dental insurance coverage for braces and orthodontics

Many insured individuals wonder what costs are covered for braces and orthodontics and under what conditions. Here are the most important facts for those with statutory and private insurance:

Statutory health insurance

  • Adults: Costs covered only in exceptional cases
  • Initial payment of 20% by the patient/their parents, reimbursement after successful treatment
  • No coverage for cosmetic corrections (orthodontic indication groups 1-2)
  • Orthodontic indication groups (KIG) 3-5 only
  • Up to the age of 18 if medically necessary

Private supplementary dental insurance

  • May extend orthodontic benefits for children or adults when the tariff’s medical conditions are met
  • Can include additional appliance options, subject to the policy
  • Often applies annual or lifetime reimbursement limits
  • Usually excludes treatment that was already diagnosed, recommended, planned or started
  • May apply a waiting period or an initial benefit scale even when cover begins immediately
Braces and orthodontics: what to check

Be sure to pay attention to reimbursement limits, waiting periods, and benefit scales before choosing a tariff.

Choosing the right dental insurance plan

Finding a suitable tariff requires a comparison of different offers. Qualified advice can also be useful when the applicant has missing teeth, existing dental problems or complex coverage requirements.

You should pay particular attention to certain criteria when comparing tariffs:

Choose tariffs with an optimum scope of benefits

High-quality policies may reimburse between 80% and 100% of eligible treatment costs, depending on the tariff. Some tariffs advertise reimbursement of up to 100% for eligible treatment, but these plans generally have higher premiums and may still apply initial benefit scales or exclusions.

Reimbursement based on the private invoice

Dental insurance providers structure their contracts differently. Optimally, the policy insures the real invoice amount. With a tariff that includes the subsidy from the public health insurance funds, your private contribution will be higher.

Some dental insurance providers also differentiate between treatment categories. The GKV benefit may be included in the reimbursement percentage for some treatments, while the calculation basis for other benefits is the actual private cost.

Tariffs without limits for annual reimbursement

A tariff without a permanent annual reimbursement ceiling can provide stronger protection for larger treatments. However, initial benefit scales may still limit reimbursement during the first insurance years.

Tariffs without limits for dentures and material and laboratory costs

Some insurance policies stipulate a maximum number of implants. Treatment beyond the contractual maximum must normally be paid out of pocket.

For comprehensive dental cover, look carefully at benefit limits. Restrictions on dentures, implants, material and laboratory costs can materially affect reimbursement.

Further benefit limits

Further benefit limits can apply to composite fillings or professional dental cleaning. Assess these restrictions alongside the tariff’s more expensive benefits rather than relying on one allowance in isolation.

Waiting periods and benefit scales

Some dental insurance tariffs apply a formal waiting period, which the law caps at eight months for dentures and orthodontics and three months for other treatment (§ 197 of the Insurance Contract Act), while others advertise immediate cover. ottonova, Getsafe and Feather all sell without a waiting period. Immediate cover does not necessarily mean unlimited reimbursement from the first day.

Many tariffs use an initial benefit scale that caps reimbursement during the first insurance years. The amount and duration vary by contract, and treatment already diagnosed, recommended, planned or started may remain excluded.

Some policies waive ordinary initial limits for eligible treatment required after an accident during the insurance period. Check the precise contractual definition and conditions.

Dental insurance costs in Germany

The dental insurance cost in Germany depends on the following factors:

Coverage level affects dental premiums

There are sometimes major differences between the tariffs for private dental insurance in Germany, even if the scope of benefits is similar. You need a plan that offers you the best value for money. This can also mean choosing a more expensive plan if you value very extensive benefits or full annual reimbursement without deductible.

Applicant age affects dental premiums

The entry price also depends on your age. Premium development depends on the tariff. Some policies use age-based premium bands, while others calculate premiums with ageing provisions or different adjustment mechanisms.

Dental health affects tariff eligibility

If there are restrictions to your dental health before you take out the insurance policy, risk surcharges and consequently a higher premium may be charged for the insurance. This is the case, for example, if you have already lost or replaced teeth or suffer from active periodontal disease. Some tariffs cannot be taken out with such pre-existing conditions.

Dental premiums across age groups

  • Adults generally pay more for comprehensive tooth-replacement benefits than for plans focused mainly on preventive care.
  • Children require individual policies, and premiums and orthodontic benefits vary by age and tariff.
  • Older applicants may face higher premiums, benefit restrictions or stricter acceptance rules depending on the provider.

Because dental premiums are calculated from personal information and current tariff data, a single generic price can be misleading: ottonova’s Dental 100, for example, costs a 20-year-old less than half of what it costs a 45-year-old in the insurer’s premium table (edition December 2021). Use the live comparison above to check the current monthly premium for the applicant’s age and selected coverage level.

Choosing the right coverage level

The right dental insurance in Germany is not automatically the tariff with the highest advertised reimbursement percentage. The right plan depends on the treatments covered, how reimbursement is calculated, initial benefit scales, annual limits, exclusions and the monthly premium.

Entry-level plans may suit people mainly seeking reimbursement for professional cleaning and basic treatment. Mid-tier plans generally add stronger protection for crowns, bridges and other tooth replacement. Comprehensive plans can provide higher reimbursement for expensive eligible treatment, but policy limits and exclusions still apply.

Dental insurance application in Germany

You can apply for supplementary insurance directly with an insurer or with support from an insurance intermediary. Many applications can be completed online.

Applicants with missing teeth, existing dental problems or complex treatment histories may benefit from qualified advice before applying. Acceptance and coverage for pre-existing conditions vary by tariff.

To apply, you will receive a standardized form from the insurance company online or in paper form. Here, you enter your personal details and answer questions about your dental health and any other pre-existing conditions that may affect it. You must answer these health questions completely and truthfully. If it later transpires that you have provided false or incomplete information, the insurance company can refuse to pay.

Conclusion: Dental insurance can be worthwhile in Germany

Germany’s public and private health-insurance systems already provide different levels of dental coverage. People with GKV may consider supplementary dental insurance when they want stronger protection for eligible higher-quality treatment, dentures, implants or orthodontics.

A supplementary policy is not automatically worthwhile for everyone. Its value depends on premiums, expected treatment needs, reimbursement limits, exclusions and the likelihood of using the insured benefits.

The most important concept is the difference between the GKV fixed subsidy and the actual cost of your chosen treatment. Public insurance usually pays a fixed amount based on standard care, not a percentage of a ceramic crown, implant, or premium bridge. This is why supplementary dental insurance can make such a large difference for expensive treatment.

Before choosing a plan, check whether the tariff covers only preventive care or also expensive tooth replacements such as crowns, bridges and implants. Compare the likely long-term premium with the protection offered rather than selecting a plan from one headline percentage.

Frequently asked questions

German statutory health insurance covers defined medically necessary dental treatment under the statutory benefit catalogue. For eligible crowns, bridges and dentures, GKV pays a diagnosis-based fixed subsidy toward the standard-care solution. The subsidy normally equals 60% of the standard-care amount, increasing to 70% or 75% with the required documented check-ups.

Supplementary dental insurance is an optional private policy commonly used alongside German public health insurance. It can reduce personal costs for services such as implants, crowns, dentures, professional cleaning, and higher-quality treatments. Coverage varies considerably between plans, so reimbursement limits, waiting periods, and exclusions must be compared carefully.

It is worth taking out this insurance at any age. However, it is particularly important to take out supplementary dental coverage and insurance from middle age onwards, as this is when the issue of dentures becomes more relevant.
However, you should also consider taking out supplementary dental insurance for your children and young adults to get comprehensive coverage for high-quality dental and orthodontic treatment.

Public insurance provides a diagnosis-based fixed subsidy toward medically necessary dental prostheses, but it does not normally cover the full cost of premium crowns or implants. Private health insurance or supplementary dental insurance may reimburse a larger percentage, depending on the tariff. A treatment and cost plan should be checked with the insurer before treatment begins.

Public health insurance may cover medically necessary orthodontic treatment for children and teenagers under defined conditions. Adult orthodontic treatment is generally covered only in exceptional cases involving severe jaw abnormalities that require combined surgical and orthodontic treatment. Private and supplementary plans may offer broader coverage, but age limits, medical criteria, and reimbursement caps often apply.

The cost depends on the type of insurance, the applicant’s age, dental health, selected benefits, and reimbursement level. Plans with extensive implant, prosthetic, orthodontic, or professional-cleaning benefits generally cost more. Comparing premiums alone can be misleading because waiting periods, benefit limits, exclusions, and reimbursement rules also affect the policy’s value.

Dental coverage in Germany depends on a person’s health-insurance status. Statutory health insurance provides defined standard dental benefits and fixed subsidies for eligible dental prostheses. Comprehensive private health insurance includes dental benefits according to the selected tariff, while people with GKV can add a separate supplementary dental policy.

Compare the treatments covered, reimbursement calculation, initial benefit scales, annual limits, waiting periods, exclusions and monthly premium. Check whether the advertised percentage includes the GKV subsidy and whether expensive treatment such as implants and crowns is covered. The best plan is the one that fits the applicant’s dental health, expected needs and long-term budget.

Sources and legal basis (as of 24 September 2026)

Statutes and official guidance: § 55 SGB V (fixed subsidies for dentures), § 28 SGB V (dental treatment, implants outside public cover), § 29 SGB V (orthodontic treatment), § 197 VVG (maximum waiting periods), Social Insurance Reference Values Ordinance 2026 (compulsory insurance threshold €77,400); National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Dentists (KZBV), fixed-subsidy example effective 1 January 2026; Federal Ministry of Health, switching between public and private health insurance; Federal Joint Committee (G-BA), orthodontic treatment.

Providers (read on 24 September 2026 unless stated): ottonova, dental insurance plans, ottonova premium table for supplementary dental insurance (edition December 2021), ottonova tariff terms Zahn 70 (Zahn 85 and Zahn 100 on the insurer’s terms page); Getsafe, dental insurance and Getsafe dental terms (February 2026); Feather, dental insurance (plan comparison published by the provider, updated 3 March 2026) and Feather, licensing information 2026.

Supervisory notices (Federal Financial Supervisory Authority, BaFin): transfer of the Getsafe Insurance AG portfolio to andsafe AG, effective 10 November 2025; withdrawal of the Getsafe Insurance AG licence, order of 29 October 2025.

Premiums in the comparison come from our own product database and are refreshed automatically; the text states the providers’ published starting prices as of the date given.

About the authors
Janine El-Saghir Janine El Saghir is an editor at How-to-Germany.com, where she specializes in the practical aspects of daily life and integration for expatriates. With years of...
Erkan Boga Erkan Boga is the founder and CEO of qmedia GmbH, the publishing house behind How-to-Germany.com. He established the platform with the clear vision of creating... Read more
Sadie Voss Content Lead & Editor Sadie Voss is the Lead Editor for How-to-Germany.com. As an expat who carved her own way into Berlin from the United States, Sadie is deeply... Read more
More on this subject