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Dental Insurance for Families and Children in Germany
- Statutory health insurance (GKV) covers necessary dental treatments for children and adolescents up to 18.
- Preventive care, like fluoride varnish and molar fissure sealing, is included in regular check-ups.
- Orthodontics (braces) are only covered in medically necessary cases; mild or cosmetic cases are excluded.
- Private supplementary insurance for children starts at around €5 to €10 per month, depending on the plan.
- Early enrollment (before orthodontic diagnosis) ensures broader coverage and avoids waiting periods or exclusions.
- Expats benefit from digital insurers like ottonova, Feather, and Getsafe, which offer expat-friendly additional dental insurance with clear terms, easy onboarding, and reliable bilingual support.
Dental insurance for children in the German healthcare system
In Germany, children are generally well covered under the statutory health insurance system, especially regarding essential dental care. However, the coverage focuses strictly on medically necessary and cost-effective treatments.
A supplementary dental plan becomes vital if you’re looking for broader protection — such as cosmetic options or high-end materials.
Health insurance in Germany is mandatory for all German residents, including expats. Germany has a dual health insurance system: statutory health insurance (GKV) and private health insurance (PKV). GKV covers the majority of residents and includes free family insurance. PKV is available to Employees with a gross annual income of €73,800 or more (2025), freelancers and self-employed people, and certain other groups who are not subject to compulsory insurance with a statutory health insurance fund. While public health care provides standardized basic benefits, PKV offers individually tailored health insurance plans. Dental coverage differs in these systems. For those with statutory insurance, it is almost always advisable to take out private supplementary dental insurance, which, depending on the tariff and your private health insurance company, offers the same dental services as private comprehensive health insurance.
GKV: What’s included for children and adolescents up to 18
Under GKV, children up to the age of 18 are entitled to comprehensive basic dental care. Public health insurance coverage for children and adolescents includes preventative treatments, basic fillings, and medically required orthodontic treatments (under specific conditions). The goal is to maintain oral health and prevent long-term dental issues.
Eligibility for family insurance
If at least one parent is insured under GKV, children are usually eligible for free family insurance — provided their income stays below the statutory thresholds (e.g., from part-time jobs). This means you pay no extra monthly health insurance contributions to cover your children under the public plan.
Key preventive treatments: check-ups, sealants, fluoride
Statutory health insurance (GKV) provides extensive preventive dental care for children and adolescents. These benefits support healthy dental development from early childhood through age 18 and prevent common issues like cavities or malocclusions.
Covered services for children and adolescents include:
- 6 early detection dental examinations for children aged 6 months to 12 years
- 2 dental check-ups per year for children and adolescents from 12 to 18 years
- Fluoride varnishes to strengthen enamel and prevent tooth decay
- Fissure sealing for permanent molars
- Oral hygiene education and behavior monitoring
The health insurance fully covers these treatments and helps reduce long-term dental risks through early and consistent prevention.
What is not included: cosmetic corrections, premium materials
Public health insurance does not cover cosmetic procedures like tooth-colored fillings in posterior teeth and high-quality solutions like ceramic inlays. The same applies to the costs of complete professional dental cleaning for preventive reasons.
Families must pay for such dental services out of pocket or secure supplementary dental insurance.
Orthodontics – what’s covered by public health insurance, and what’s not?
Orthodontics for children is one of dental care’s most complex and costly areas. In Germany, statutory health insurance only covers medically necessary orthodontic treatments based on the KIG classification system. This often leaves parents facing high out-of-pocket costs without supplementary dental insurance.
KIG system: Which cases qualify for statutory dental services?
The KIG system (Kieferorthopädische Indikationsgruppen; orthodontic indication groups) classifies malocclusions (jaw and tooth misalignments) into 5 severity levels. These levels determine the medical necessity of orthodontic treatments and whether statutory health insurance covers them.
Only cases in KIG levels 3 to 5 are considered medically necessary and therefore covered by statutory health insurance. These include severe misalignments affecting chewing, breathing, or speech development.
The treatment is considered aesthetic or non-essential if a child’s condition falls under KIG 1 or 2. In this case, GKV refuses cost reimbursement, even if the child would benefit from corrective braces for long-term dental health. Parents must cover the full cost privately.
Statutory health insurance coverage of orthodontic treatments
Statutory health insurance (GKV) covers fixed and removable braces only if the orthodontic condition is classified as KIG level 3 to 5 — meaning it is medically necessary. In these cases, standard models of braces are reimbursed, including simple metal brackets and wires.
However, more aesthetic or advanced options — such as invisible aligners (for example, Invisalign), ceramic or self-ligating brackets, or lingual braces placed behind the teeth — are considered cosmetic and are not covered by GKV. These must be paid for entirely out of pocket, unless you have a supplementary dental insurance plan that includes orthodontic coverage for such options.
Public insurance initially covers only 80% of treatment costs. Parents must pay the remaining 20% out of pocket. This portion of the costs will be reimbursed after successful treatment.
Regular dental checkups covered by public health insurance help to identify orthodontic problems at an early stage. Children can be referred to an orthodontist from around the age of 5, but corrective measures usually begin at the earliest when permanent teeth erupt, around the age of 9.
Supplemental dental insurance cover for orthodontics
A good supplementary dental insurance plan can cover orthodontic treatment even in KIG 1 and 2 cases — often reimbursing 80–100% of the costs.
Modern policies also include invisible braces, retainers, and follow-up treatments not paid for by statutory health insurance.
Sample costs with and without supplemental insurance
Dental and orthodontic care for children can be expensive — especially when only the basic treatments are covered by statutory insurance. Understanding potential out-of-pocket expenses helps parents make informed decisions early on.
Sample costs for dental and orthodontic treatments
The table below shows examples of costs for various dental treatments and their coverage by public health insurance and (depending on the tariff) by private supplementary dental insurance.
| Treatment | Typical Cost | Covered by Public Health Insurance (GKV) | Covered by Supplementary Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-up / Tartar Removal | €0 | ✓ (plus additional benefits) | |
| Fissure Sealant (molars) | €20–€40 per tooth | ✓ (molars only) | ✓ (includes additional teeth, full cost) |
| Fluoride Treatments (biannually) | €50–€80 per year | ||
| Complete Professional Teeth Cleaning | €60–€120 | ✗ | ✓ (1–2 times per year, depending on plan) |
| Removable Braces (KIG 3–5) | €1,500–€2,500 | ✓ (standard options only) | ✓ (premium options covered) |
| Fixed Metal Braces (KIG 3–5) | €2,500–€4,000 | ✓ (standard options only) | ✓ (premium options covered) |
| Invisible Aligners (e.g., Invisalign) | €3,500–€6,500 | ✗ | ✓ (typically requires a premium plan) |
Long-term savings potential through early supplemental dental coverage
Taking out supplementary dental insurance early in your child’s life can reduce costs significantly. It ensures especially for orthodontics reimbursement for higher-quality materials, cosmetic options, and early intervention procedures, which can prevent more complex treatments later.
Since most policies apply waiting periods or scaling limits in the first years, starting supplemental insurance early ensures full dental coverage when orthodontic treatment becomes necessary around age 9 or 10.
Supplementary dental insurance for children
Supplementary dental insurance for children fills the gaps left by public health insurance. It helps cover additional costs for services beyond the basic care provided by GKV — including premium materials for fillings or crowns, comprehensive orthodontic treatment, complete professional teeth cleanings not connected to periodontal treatments, and some other extras. The benefits of supplemental dental insurance depend on the selected plan.
Monthly premiums and what to look for
Premiums for children’s dental insurance are relatively low. Dental insurance cost for basic plans is around €5 to €10 per month, while more comprehensive tariffs (covering braces or dental implants) may cost €15 to €25. The costs of your insurance plan depend on the included benefits.
When selecting a plan, parents should check which treatments are included, how reimbursement works, and which scaling rules apply in the first few insurance years. Please keep in mind: You have to pay for all treatments out of pocket, which are not covered by public health insurance or a supplemental dental insurance.
Waiting periods and exclusions
Many private insurance plans impose waiting periods of 3 to 12 months before they cover major treatments like orthodontics. However, some digital providers offer plans without waiting periods.
Coverage limits refer to pre-existing conditions, such as already missing teeth or planned braces, and ongoing treatments that started before taking out the insurance contract.
When to enroll your child
The best time to enroll is before dental problems arise — ideally between ages 5 and 8, before orthodontic consultations begin. This ensures coverage is active in time for key developmental milestones and avoids exclusion clauses and scaling limits in the first insurance years.
What to consider when choosing a family dental insurance plan
- Coverage scope
Please look for plans that offer more than basic dental care and cover professional teeth cleanings, premium dental fillings, modern braces, and implants. Some insurance plans also cover extended accident-related treatments or cosmetic options for teens. - Reimbursement rates and caps
Good family policies cover up to 100% of treatment costs, often with scaling caps in the early years. Please ensure the limits are high enough to make a meaningful difference, especially for orthodontics.
While health insurances in Germany follow standardized structures, coverage details can vary significantly depending on the provider and plan type. Read the fine print to understand what your insurance covers — especially orthodontics, implants, or preventive care.
- Bilingual support and digital access for expats
Expats benefit from providers that offer digital claims, English-language customer service, and easy onboarding. This simplifies dealing with complex systems and communication with the insurer. - Providers with strong family options
Digital health insurance companies like ottonova, Feather, and Getsafe offer family-friendly supplementary plans, including options for children with no waiting periods, fast reimbursements, and flexible terms. ottonova even includes dental coverage in its comprehensive expat health insurance packages. In the prestigious consumer product test conducted by Stiftung Warentest, ottonova’s supplementary dental insurance has consistently received top marks.
Conclusion: Is dental insurance for children in Germany worth it?
Yes — for most families, supplementary dental insurance for children is a smart investment. While public health insurance covers preventive care and basic treatments, many important services — especially orthodontics — are only partially reimbursed or not covered. A good supplementary plan protects you from high out-of-pocket costs, ensures access to high-quality treatments, and gives you more flexibility and peace of mind. If you are an employee covered by public health insurance, you should consider taking out supplementary dental insurance for yourself and your family.
Thanks to low monthly premiums and expat-friendly health insurance providers with no waiting periods, finding a plan that fits your child’s needs and protects your budget is easier than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
No, each insured person requires their supplementary dental insurance. There are no family rates as such. However, parents can take out individual policies for their children, often at reduced rates. The rate and benefits must be appropriate for the age group and personal needs.
To find the best dental insurance for your child, compare reimbursement rates, included treatments (especially orthodontics), and waiting periods — or consult an experienced insurance broker who can help you identify a suitable insurance contract tailored to your family’s needs.
Generally, dental insurance taken out in Germany only applies within the country. A separate travel health insurance policy is usually necessary if you require dental treatment while visiting your home country or other countries. This type of insurance typically covers emergency care and pain relief, but not full dental procedures. For broader coverage abroad, consider a health insurance company like ottonova or Getsafe, which explicitly offers international dental benefits.
If you have statutory health insurance in Germany, you can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive free healthcare in all EU countries when traveling. Your children are then covered by family insurance.
An additional dental insurance for children and adolescents typically focuses on preventive dental care and correcting misaligned teeth, which falls under orthodontics. However, good policies with high or comprehensive coverage go far beyond that. They may include dental prostheses, root canal treatment, cover professional teeth cleaning, high-quality fillings, teeth whitening, and advanced functional analysis. The difference between public and private supplemental insurance becomes clear even with less complex procedures, such as a ceramic crown. While public insurance only covers the most basic form, private plans significantly reduce the personal contribution or may even reimburse the full cost, depending on the tariff.
Yes, most dental insurance providers require a minimum contract duration of 1 or 2 years, after which you can quit your policy with monthly cancellation.