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Dental Insurance Providers Comparison
Written by
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...
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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...
Edited by
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...
- German dental insurance providers differ in their tariffs, reimbursement percentages, initial benefit limits and treatment exclusions.
- Traditional insurers generally offer more tariff choices, while digital providers often focus on online applications, app-based claims and English-language support.
- A tariff advertising 100% reimbursement does not necessarily cover every invoice in full. Check how the insurer calculates the benefit alongside the statutory GKV contribution.
- Initial benefit scales, known as a Zahnstaffel, can significantly restrict reimbursement during the first years of a policy.
- Compare the actual tariff conditions as well as the provider’s service, claims process and monthly premium.
Compare German dental insurance providers
Germany has a wide selection of traditional insurers, specialist health insurers and newer digital providers offering supplementary dental coverage. Although their tariffs may appear similar at first glance, the quality of the coverage and the experience of arranging insurance can differ considerably.
Some companies offer several tariff levels designed for different budgets. Others concentrate on digital applications, English-language assistance or a smaller selection of clearly presented plans. The comparison below groups current dental tariffs by their general level of protection.
The tariffs shown above provide an initial comparison of premiums and benefits. However, the displayed price and reimbursement percentage are only part of the decision. It is equally important to understand the company or service behind the tariff, how claims are handled and whether help will be available when you need to submit a complicated dental invoice.
Why comparing dental insurance providers matters
Dental treatment in Germany can become expensive once you move beyond the standard care covered by statutory health insurance. A high-quality filling may create a manageable additional cost, but crowns, bridges, implants and orthodontic treatment can leave patients with bills running into thousands of euros.
Private supplementary dental insurance can reduce this financial burden. However, not all providers calculate or reimburse benefits in the same way. Policies differ in the treatments they cover, the percentage they reimburse, the limits imposed during the first years and the rules applied to dental work that has already been recommended.
Comparing providers therefore involves more than finding the lowest monthly premium. The right tariff should reflect the dental care you are most likely to need, while the provider’s service should make it reasonably straightforward to understand the policy and claim your reimbursement.
High dental costs reveal important provider differences
Statutory health insurance, or gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV), generally pays for medically necessary standard treatment. For eligible crowns, bridges and dentures, this normally takes the form of a fixed subsidy based on the defined standard solution.
If you select an implant instead of a bridge, ceramic instead of a basic material or another premium form of treatment, you generally pay the additional cost yourself. A supplementary tariff may reimburse part or all of that difference, depending on its conditions.
Providers can differ in whether and to what extent they reimburse:
- Dental implants, including the implant and related prosthetic work
- Premium crowns, bridges and dentures
- High-quality fillings, ceramic inlays and onlays
- Professional dental cleaning and preventive care
- Orthodontic treatment for children or adults
The wording of the tariff matters. Two plans displaying the same headline percentage can produce very different payouts once the GKV contribution, accepted fee levels, initial benefit limits and treatment exclusions are taken into account.
Supplementary insurance works alongside GKV
Most people comparing standalone dental insurance providers in Germany are members of the statutory system. Supplementary dental insurance is designed to sit alongside GKV rather than replace it.
If you have comprehensive private health insurance, or private Krankenversicherung (PKV), dental benefits are normally included in your existing health-insurance tariff. Before arranging another policy, check which treatments and reimbursement levels are already covered.
For a broader explanation of public, private and supplementary coverage, see our German dental insurance guide.
Dental work that has already started, been recommended or appears in an existing treatment and cost plan is normally excluded from a new policy. A tariff advertised without a waiting period does not necessarily cover previously known treatment.
Dental insurance provider comparison criteria
Selecting a dental insurance provider is not simply a contest between familiar brand names. A well-known company may offer several tariffs with very different benefits, while a newer digital service may present products underwritten by another insurance company.
The provider determines much of the customer experience, but the individual tariff conditions determine what you can actually claim. The following criteria should therefore be considered together.
Coverage should reflect your likely treatment
The first question is what the tariff actually covers. A plan can look attractive at first glance but still leave an important gap if implants, orthodontics or advanced diagnostics are excluded. Our overview of dental insurance coverage details explains how protection can differ between treatment categories.
Depending on the provider and tariff, coverage may extend to:
- Restorative treatment, including premium fillings, crowns, bridges and implants
- Preventive care, including professional dental cleaning and fluoride treatment
- Orthodontics for children, adults or accident-related treatment
- Functional diagnostics, such as bite analysis or jaw-joint measurements
- Cosmetic treatment, where expressly covered by the tariff
Entry-level tariffs tend to concentrate on preventive and restorative dental care. More comprehensive plans may add orthodontics, advanced diagnostics and higher reimbursement for premium materials. These descriptions are useful for orientation, but the actual insurance conditions remain decisive.
Reimbursement percentages require closer examination
Dental insurance plans commonly advertise reimbursement levels such as 75%, 80%, 90% or 100%. These figures make comparison easier, but only once you understand what the percentage refers to.
Depending on the tariff, it may apply to:
- The complete eligible invoice
- The total cost including the GKV contribution
- The patient’s remaining cost after GKV reimbursement
- Only particular treatment categories
A tariff can therefore advertise 100% reimbursement while still leaving you with personal costs. This may happen if the treatment is excluded, the dentist charges beyond the accepted fee level or the initial benefit scale has already been exhausted.
When comparing providers, use a realistic treatment example rather than looking only at the headline percentage. An implant or crown calculation can reveal much more about a tariff than a general promise of high reimbursement.
The Zahnstaffel limits early claims
Many German dental insurance policies restrict the total amount that can be reimbursed during the first policy years. This initial benefit scale is commonly known as the Zahnstaffel.
A tariff might permit a certain maximum during the first year and then raise the cumulative limit in years two, three and four. The precise figures and duration differ between providers and tariffs.
These restrictions are particularly important if you expect expensive dental treatment in the foreseeable future. Once the initial period has ended, some tariffs remove the general annual ceiling, although treatment-specific limits may continue to apply.
A plan with a generous long-term reimbursement percentage may therefore offer less immediate protection than expected. Always compare the percentage and the initial limits together.
Our guide to dental insurance costs and waiting periods explains how premiums, waiting rules and initial reimbursement limits can affect the practical value of a policy.
Waiting periods do not override treatment exclusions
Some providers offer tariffs with no general waiting period. Others require the policyholder to wait before particular benefits become available.
In either case, providers commonly ask about:
- Missing teeth
- Current dental problems
- Ongoing or recently completed treatment
- Treatment that a dentist has already recommended
- Existing dentures, crowns, bridges or implants
A tariff without a waiting period may provide immediate access to its regular benefits, but it will not necessarily pay for treatment that was already known before the policy began.
If immediate coverage is important to you, compare the conditions of dental insurance without a waiting period carefully. The absence of a general waiting period does not remove exclusions for treatment that was already underway or recommended.
Answer all application questions accurately. Incorrect or incomplete health information can lead to a reduced payment, a rejected claim or problems with the policy later.
Claims and customer service affect the experience
The quality of dental coverage matters most when you actually need to use it. Patients in Germany commonly receive the dental invoice first and then submit it to the relevant insurers for reimbursement.
A practical claims process can therefore save considerable time and confusion, particularly for expats who are unfamiliar with German insurance terminology.
Look at whether the provider offers:
- Claims through an app, online portal, email or post
- English-language customer service
- Digital access to policy documents and claim status
- Pre-approval for an expensive Heil- und Kostenplan
- Clear explanations when only part of an invoice is reimbursed
For expensive crowns, bridges, implants or orthodontics, submit the treatment and cost plan before treatment begins whenever the provider allows it. Written confirmation can help clarify what the tariff is expected to reimburse before you commit to the procedure.
Expats should also consider how the provider handles changes in residence. If you might leave Germany, check whether the policy can continue abroad and which notice or cancellation conditions apply.
Ask what the tariff would reimburse for a crown, implant or another likely procedure after the GKV contribution and initial benefit limit. This is usually more revealing than comparing advertised percentages alone.
Traditional and digital dental insurance providers
Germany has both long-established insurers and digitally focused services offering supplementary dental insurance. The distinction can affect how you apply, communicate with the provider and submit claims, but it does not automatically determine which tariff provides better coverage.
| Comparison point | Traditional providers | Digital providers |
|---|---|---|
| Application | Online, through an adviser or through an insurance office | Usually completed online or through an app |
| Customer service | Telephone, post, online portals and sometimes local advisers | App, chat, email and digital support |
| English-language support | Varies between providers and service channels | Often a central feature for international customers |
| Tariff selection | May include several tariff levels and optional modules | Often presented as a smaller number of clearly labelled packages |
| Claims | Online portal, app, email or post, depending on the provider | Usually uploaded digitally through an app or portal |
| Best suited to | Customers who value established service channels or a broader tariff range | Customers who prefer digital administration and English support |
Traditional insurers may suit someone who wants personal advice, familiar service channels or access to a wider selection of tariffs. Digital providers can be particularly attractive to expats who want to complete the application in English and manage their documents online.
Neither model is automatically better. A polished app does not compensate for weak benefits, just as a familiar company name does not guarantee that every tariff offers comprehensive protection.
German dental insurance provider overview
The German market includes established insurance groups, specialist health insurers and newer digital services. Each model has potential advantages, but availability, premiums and acceptance ultimately depend on the individual applicant and selected tariff.
| Provider | Provider type | Notable characteristics | May suit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allianz | Traditional insurer | Established German insurer with several service channels and different levels of supplementary dental protection | Customers who value an established provider and conventional support |
| BarmeniaGothaer | Traditional insurer | Offers supplementary health and dental tariffs with different levels of reimbursement | Customers who want to compare several tariff levels |
| ERGO | Traditional insurer | Offers dental tariffs covering different combinations of preventive and restorative treatment | Customers looking for recognizable tariff categories and traditional service |
| Hallesche | Specialist health insurer | Longstanding private health insurer with supplementary dental options | Customers who prefer a health-insurance specialist |
| Feather | Digital insurance service | Online arrangement and English-language support aimed particularly at international residents | Expats who want an English digital experience |
| Getsafe | Digital insurance service | App-based insurance management with clearly differentiated dental coverage levels | Customers who want a mobile claims and policy experience |
| ottonova | Digital private health insurer | Digital administration, app-based service and English-language support | Expats and digitally focused customers |
The table compares provider and service models. It does not mean that every tariff from one company is stronger or weaker than every tariff from another provider.
Terms such as “entry-level,” “mid-tier” and “comprehensive” are useful for orientation, but they are not standardized German insurance categories. Providers define their tariff levels differently.
One company may distinguish plans mainly through the prosthesis reimbursement percentage. Another may use differences in cleaning allowances, orthodontics, functional diagnostics or the initial benefit scale.
Feather, Getsafe and ottonova suit different customers
Feather, Getsafe and ottonova are frequently considered by expats because they offer digital access and English-language information. Their business models and tariffs are not identical.
Feather emphasizes English-language support
Feather may suit customers who want a straightforward English-language application and digital assistance with German insurance.
It presents different plan levels through its digital platform. Applicants should distinguish between tariffs focused mainly on preventive or basic care and those providing stronger protection for dental prostheses.
Before applying, confirm which insurance company underwrites the selected tariff. Check the reimbursement calculation, initial limits, orthodontic benefits and treatment exclusions shown in the personalized quote.
Getsafe emphasizes app-based administration
Getsafe may appeal to customers who prefer to manage their policy and claims through an app.
Its current dental product presents a choice of 75%, 90% or 100% reimbursement for dental prostheses. The GKV contribution is included in the displayed prosthesis percentage.
The tariff also applies cumulative limits during the first three years. Applicants should compare those limits with the cost of any treatment they may reasonably expect.
ottonova offers several digital tariff levels
ottonova may suit customers who want several tariff levels from a digital insurer.
Its dental insurance options use different prosthesis reimbursement percentages, professional-cleaning allowances and initial benefit limits. This allows customers to balance the monthly premium against their preferred level of dental protection.
When comparing the available options, check how the displayed reimbursement percentage interacts with the GKV contribution. You should also examine the tariff’s initial benefit scale, orthodontic benefits, diagnostic coverage and treatment exclusions.
A digital provider may offer a simpler application and claims experience, but the tariff conditions still determine reimbursement. Compare the insurance benefits separately from the quality of the app or English-language service.
Dental insurance providers for different customer profiles
The right dental insurance provider can look very different depending on your budget, family situation, working status and expected dental care. A student looking for affordable preventive cover will rarely need the same tariff as a family planning for orthodontic treatment or a freelancer seeking protection against a large unexpected invoice.
The following profiles provide a useful starting point, but the final choice should always be based on the exact tariff rather than the provider’s name alone.
Students benefit from affordable preventive coverage
Students usually need a tariff that keeps the monthly premium manageable while still covering the dental services they are most likely to use. Our guide to dental insurance for students in Germany explains the relevant coverage options in more detail. Professional cleaning, high-quality fillings and straightforward dental treatment may be more immediately relevant than the highest possible reimbursement for every premium procedure.
Plans with low entry prices, no general waiting period and useful preventive benefits can therefore be a sensible starting point. However, students should still check the initial benefit scale. A cheap tariff may provide reasonable everyday protection but offer only limited reimbursement if a crown, implant or another expensive treatment becomes necessary during the first years.
International students may also value a provider offering English-language documents and digital claims, particularly if they are unfamiliar with German invoices and insurance terminology.
Families should examine orthodontic benefits carefully
Families often have broader dental priorities. Our guide to family dental insurance explains how parents can compare protection for themselves and their children. Parents may want dependable reimbursement for their own crowns, fillings or professional cleaning while also looking ahead to possible orthodontic treatment for their children.
Orthodontic coverage differs considerably between tariffs. Families should check which treatments qualify, the maximum reimbursement, the applicable age limits and whether accident-related orthodontics is treated differently. A tariff that looks generous for dental prostheses may still provide only modest orthodontic benefits.
It is also worth considering whether every family member needs the same level of protection. Comparing individual tariffs can sometimes be more appropriate than automatically choosing the most comprehensive option for everyone.
Freelancers need protection against unpredictable dental costs
Freelancers and self-employed people may place particular value on financial predictability. Our guide to freelancer dental insurance explains the coverage considerations for self-employed workers. An unexpected crown, implant or bridge can create a substantial personal expense, especially when treatment or recovery also affects the time available for work.
A suitable tariff may therefore need strong prosthesis reimbursement, realistic initial limits and a straightforward approval process for a Heil- und Kostenplan. Fast digital claims can also be valuable for people who prefer not to spend additional time handling paperwork.
The highest advertised percentage is not automatically the best choice. Freelancers should compare the additional premium with the amount they could realistically claim and check how the provider calculates reimbursement after the GKV contribution.
Budget-aware expats should balance price and usable benefits
Budget-aware expats may be tempted to select the cheapest available tariff, particularly when they are still settling into life in Germany. Our guide to expat dental insurance explains how international residents can compare supplementary coverage. An entry-level plan can be appropriate if the main priorities are professional cleaning, high-quality fillings and basic protection against unexpected dental work.
The important question is whether the lower premium still provides benefits you are likely to use. Check the annual cleaning allowance, prosthesis percentage, initial benefit scale and exclusions for known treatment. A very inexpensive plan may offer good everyday value but leave a larger gap for implants or other costly procedures.
English-language assistance and digital claims can also make a lower-cost tariff more practical. The best budget option is not necessarily the plan with the smallest monthly payment, but the one that provides the most useful protection without adding benefits you are unlikely to need.
Compare provider tariffs before applying
Before signing a policy, compare the complete tariff documents rather than relying on a familiar provider name or impressive headline percentage.
Your final check should cover:
- The reimbursement method and interaction with the GKV fixed subsidy
- The initial Zahnstaffel and any later treatment-specific caps
- Waiting periods and exclusions for known, recommended or ongoing treatment
- Rules for missing teeth, implants, orthodontics and professional cleaning
- The claims process, English support and procedure for approving a treatment and cost plan
Your dental needs may also change over time. Starting a family, becoming self-employed, moving away from Germany or developing a new dental problem can all affect which benefits are most valuable.
Reviewing your tariff from time to time can help ensure that you are not paying for benefits you no longer need or relying on protection that no longer suits your circumstances.
Conclusion: Finding the right dental insurance provider in Germany
Finding the right dental insurance provider in Germany means balancing the quality of the tariff with the service you expect from the company.
Some people mainly want reliable reimbursement for professional cleaning and high-quality fillings. Others are looking for stronger protection against crowns, implants, orthodontics or another expensive procedure. Expats may also place particular value on English-language assistance and a digital claims process.
When comparing providers, look beyond the brand and advertised percentage. Check how the GKV contribution is calculated, how much can be claimed during the first years, whether known treatment is excluded and how the insurer handles a Heil- und Kostenplan.
Traditional companies such as Allianz, BarmeniaGothaer, ERGO and Hallesche may suit customers who want established service channels and more tariff choice. Digital providers such as Feather, Getsafe and ottonova may be easier for international residents who prefer English-language information and online claims.
The best fit is ultimately the provider whose exact tariff protects the dental care you value and whose service model you will be comfortable using when a claim arises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Germany has traditional insurers and digitally focused providers offering supplementary dental coverage. Examples include Allianz, BarmeniaGothaer, ERGO, Hallesche, Feather, Getsafe and ottonova. Availability, acceptance and premiums depend on the individual applicant and tariff.
You should compare both, but the individual tariff is more important for determining your reimbursement. One provider may offer several plans with different percentages, initial limits, exclusions and premiums. Provider service, English support and claims handling should be considered alongside those benefits.
The best provider depends on the tariff and your treatment priorities. Ottonova may suit expats who want a fully digital insurer and a broader choice of dental coverage levels. Feather may suit applicants who prioritize a simple English-language application and support experience. Getsafe may appeal to users who want app-based policy management and prefer keeping several insurance products in one account.
Do not compare providers only by their starting price or advertised reimbursement percentage. Check the dental scale during the first years, implant and orthodontic limits, missing-tooth rules, professional-cleaning allowance, exclusions for existing treatment, and whether the reimbursement percentage includes the GKV contribution.