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ARAG Private Health Insurance
Reviewed by
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...
- English Support: Limited; official contracts and most service processes are primarily in German
- Digital App / Claims Handling: Available, including app-based submission and status tracking
- Visa / Residence Permit Suitability: ARAG’s full private health insurance tariffs are German comprehensive private health insurance products from a BaFin-supervised insurer and are generally suitable for eligible residents who need full PKV coverage
- Employee Eligibility: Employees usually need income above the 2026 JAEG of €77,400 per year, or €6,450 per month, before they can choose full private health insurance
- Best For: Expats looking for straightforward tariffs, simplified billing, and integrated legal protection for patient disputes
ARAG Private Health Insurance Overview
ARAG Krankenversicherung is part of the ARAG Group, the largest family-owned insurance company in Germany and one of the leading providers of legal protection insurance worldwide. Within this broader group structure, private health insurance represents one component of a more diversified insurance portfolio rather than the sole core business.
This positioning is reflected in ARAG’s approach to health insurance, which combines solid medical coverage with additional service elements.
A distinctive feature is the inclusion of legal protection for patient-related disputes, alongside practical aspects such as direct billing with healthcare providers and app-based claims management.
- Private health insurance is part of a diversified insurance portfolio.
- ARAG combines solid medical coverage with additional service elements.
- Legal protection for patient-related disputes is included.
- Direct billing with healthcare providers and app-based claims management are part of the setup.
- Full private health insurance tariffs can support visa and residence-permit needs for eligible expats who require comprehensive German PKV.
- Private health insurance is one component of the broader ARAG Group, rather than the sole core business.
- Official contracts, policy documents, and customer service are mainly in German.
- Employees cannot freely choose full PKV unless they are above the legal income threshold.
- Medical underwriting applies, so pre-existing conditions can affect acceptance and price.
- Sick pay is not included by default and must be added as a separate module.
- Outside Europe, coverage is typically limited to short-term stays of up to 3 months.
In addition to German private health insurance, ARAG also offers a range of supplementary health insurance products, including dental care, outpatient services, and international travel health insurance Germany coverage.
ARAG combines medical coverage with additional service elements, including legal protection for patient-related disputes, direct billing with healthcare providers, and app-based claims management.
ARAG is a German insurer, and its official contracts, tariff conditions, health questions, and customer service are primarily in German. The app makes document uploads easier, but expats who want English-first onboarding may find digital providers or English-speaking brokers easier to use.
Eligibility, Visa Compliance, and Long-Term Commitment
ARAG’s full private health insurance tariffs are German comprehensive private health insurance products from a BaFin-supervised German insurer. For eligible expats who need full private health insurance rather than temporary travel or incoming insurance, this is the type of cover generally expected for long-term residence in Germany.
For visa or residence permit purposes, the important distinction is whether the product is a full private health insurance tariff or only a limited temporary product. ARAG Komfort, MedExtra, and MedBest are full private health insurance tariffs. Expats should still request written insurance confirmation for the specific visa, residence permit, or university requirement, because individual immigration offices may ask for specific wording or documents.
ARAG Komfort, MedExtra, and MedBest are full German private health insurance tariffs, not short-term travel insurance. For eligible expats who are allowed to enter PKV, this makes ARAG a serious option for long-term residence and immigration paperwork. Always request the official insurance certificate before submitting visa or residence documents.
Employees cannot freely choose ARAG full private health insurance unless their regular gross income is above the compulsory insurance threshold. In 2026, the general Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze is €77,400 per year, or €6,450 per month. Employees below this threshold usually remain subject to statutory health insurance.
ARAG, like all German private health insurers, requires medical underwriting before accepting a customer into full private health insurance. Applicants must answer health questions about medical history, diagnoses, treatment, medication, psychotherapy, operations, and other relevant risks.
Pre-existing conditions do not automatically make private insurance impossible, but they can lead to risk surcharges, exclusions, waiting complications, or rejection. Expats coming from countries with universal healthcare should pay close attention to this step, because German PKV is not open enrollment in the same way as public insurance.
Private health insurance applications include health questions. These must be answered completely and truthfully. Pre-existing conditions can lead to higher premiums, exclusions, or rejection. If your medical history is complex, an anonymous preliminary risk inquiry through an independent broker may be safer than applying directly.
Switching into private health insurance should also be treated as a long-term decision. Returning to statutory health insurance can be difficult, especially for employees who remain above the income threshold, self-employed people, and people later in life. From age 55, returning to GKV is usually legally excluded or only possible in very limited cases.
Do not choose ARAG or any other private health insurer based only on the first monthly premium. Returning to public health insurance can be difficult, and after age 55 it is usually almost impossible. Expats should compare long-term affordability, family plans, retirement, and possible income changes before switching.
Key Health Insurance Tariffs
ARAG Private Krankenversicherung offers a tiered tariff system that can suit expats seeking different degrees of full private health insurance coverage. However, employees can only choose ARAG full private health insurance if they are eligible for private health insurance in Germany, usually because their regular gross income is above the 2026 JAEG of €77,400 per year, or €6,450 per month. Freelancers, self-employed people, civil servants, and certain students are assessed under different eligibility rules.
ARAG tariffs are comprised of 3 main plans: Komfort, MedExtra, and MedBest. These plans follow a straightforward structure, with clearly increasing coverage levels from basic to premium.
Across all tariffs, outpatient care, inpatient treatments, and preventive services are covered at a solid level.
A notable feature is that enhanced hospital treatment, including single or double room accommodation and treatment by the chief physician, is already included in all plans, without requiring additional upgrades.
ARAG’s private health insurance follows 3 main plans: Komfort, MedExtra, and MedBest. Coverage increases from basic to premium, while enhanced hospital treatment is already included in all plans.
| Coverage point | Komfort | MedExtra | MedBest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental prosthetics | Covered with lower reimbursement than higher tiers | Higher reimbursement than Komfort | Highest reimbursement, up to 90% |
| Hospital treatment | Enhanced hospital treatment included | Enhanced hospital treatment included | Enhanced hospital treatment included |
| International coverage | Europe included; outside Europe usually limited to short stays | Europe included; outside Europe usually limited to short stays | Europe included; outside Europe usually limited to short stays |
| Primary care model | Referral model for full specialist reimbursement | Less restrictive | Least restrictive |
| Psychotherapy, aids, medication | More limits and lower reimbursement | Broader coverage | Broadest coverage |
| Sick pay | Separate module | Separate module | Separate module |
Tariff differences
The main differences between the tariffs lie in reimbursement levels and specific conditions.
In the entry-level Komfort tariff, specialist treatment follows a primary care model, with full reimbursement only when patients are referred by a general practitioner.
Higher-tier plans remove this restriction and provide more comprehensive coverage.
In the entry-level Komfort tariff, specialist treatment follows a primary care model, with full reimbursement only when patients are referred by a general practitioner.
Medication, medical aids, and psychotherapy
Further differences appear in areas such as medication, medical aids, and psychotherapy.
The Komfort tariff applies stricter limits and lower reimbursement levels, while MedExtra and MedBest offer broader coverage and fewer restrictions.
Preventive services and rehabilitation are also more limited in the basic tariff, with no coverage for certain treatments.
MedExtra and MedBest offer broader coverage and fewer restrictions across areas such as medication, medical aids, and psychotherapy.
Sick pay
Sick pay (Krankentagegeld) is not included by default and must be added as a separate module, allowing policyholders to tailor income protection to their individual situation. This flexibility can be attractive to expats, for example, those with long stay German job hunter visas or long stay German student visas.
Overall, ARAG’s tariff structure emphasizes clarity and accessibility, with stronger coverage in higher-tier plans.
Sick pay is not included by default and must be added as a separate module. This is especially important for freelancers, self-employed people, and employees who want income protection after the employer salary-continuation period.
International coverage
Coverage applies across Europe and continues for permanent stays within the EU and EEA.
Outside Europe, coverage is typically limited to short-term stays of up to 3 months and can be extended upon request, often subject to additional conditions.
Outside Europe, coverage is typically limited to short-term stays of up to 3 months and can be extended upon request, often subject to additional conditions.
Expat Reality Check
- Direct Billing: Invoices are settled directly with doctors and hospitals, reducing the need for upfront payments
- Integrated Legal Protection: Includes patient legal protection, offering support in case of treatment errors or disputes
- Visa-Suitable Full PKV: Komfort, MedExtra, and MedBest are full German private health insurance tariffs for eligible residents
- Simple Tariff Structure: Clear plan levels make the system easier to understand than highly modular providers
- Digital Handling: App-based claims submission and status tracking simplify everyday administration
- Strong Inpatient Coverage: Chief physician treatment and single or double room accommodation are included across all tariffs
- German-Language Barrier: Policy documents, health questions, and customer service are primarily in German
- Eligibility Threshold for Employees: Employees need income above the JAEG before they can choose full PKV
- Medical Underwriting: Pre-existing conditions can cause surcharges, exclusions, or rejection
- Primary Care Model in Basic Tariff: Full reimbursement for specialist treatment in the Komfort plan requires a referral
- Weaker Basic Coverage: Lower reimbursement levels and stricter limits for medication, aids, and psychotherapy in entry-level tariffs
- Sick Pay Not Included: Must be added separately, particularly relevant for self-employed individuals
- Limited International Coverage: Outside Europe, standard coverage is restricted to short-term stays
- Less Flexible Structure: Fewer customization options compared to fully modular insurers
Dental and Vision Coverage
Private dentist German insurance in ARAG’s private health insurance is part of the core tariffs rather than structured as a separate module. Preventive and conservative dental treatments are covered at 100% across all plans, while reimbursement for dental prosthetics increases by tariff level, reaching up to 90% in the highest plan. In the initial years, reimbursement is subject to defined benefit limits that are lifted after a certain period or upon an accident.
ARAG’s Komfort, MedExtra, and MedBest tariffs are full private health insurance plans. Their dental benefits are part of the private health insurance tariff itself.
The Dent70, Dent90, Dent90+, and Dent100 tariffs are different products. They are supplementary dental plans for people who remain in statutory health insurance and want to improve their dental reimbursement without leaving GKV.
For individuals covered under statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung), ARAG provides separate tariffs for dental supplementary insurance, including Dent70, Dent90, Dent90+, and Dent100. These plans are not a replacement for full private health insurance. They are designed for people who cannot leave, or do not want to leave, the public system but want better dental coverage. These plans provide tiered reimbursement levels, ranging from 70% to 100% for dental prosthetics. A notable feature is that coverage is available without waiting periods, allowing immediate access to benefits. Preventive services, such as professional teeth cleaning, are included, though typically with defined annual limits, and certain treatments, such as bleaching, are only covered in higher-tier plans.
Vision benefits are included within ARAG’s private health insurance tariffs, with fixed allowances for glasses and contact lenses depending on the tariff. LASIK benefits are only included in more comprehensive tariff options.
ARAG also offers ambulatory supplementary insurance (Basis, Komfort, and Premium) for public health insurance members, covering areas such as visual aids, alternative treatments provided by Heilpraktiker, and selected outpatient expenses.
Alternatives to ARAG Private Health Insurance
Traditional private health insurers in Germany are mainly differentiated by how they structure their coverage levels and the flexibility they offer for long-term adjustments.
- Allianz: Broad, modular coverage with a strong focus on flexibility and long-term planning
- AXA: Structured tariffs with integrated benefits and a balance between service and simplicity
- ERGO: Established provider offering a wide range of tariffs with varying levels of customization
Digital providers focus on streamlined access, English-language support, and fully digital policy management.
- ottonova: App-based private health insurance with integrated services and a fully digital experience
- Feather: English-first provider designed for expats with simplified onboarding
- Getsafe: Mobile-first insurer with streamlined products and a focus on ease of use
ARAG differentiates itself through its simplified billing process and integrated legal protection, while alternative providers may offer greater flexibility, broader customization, or a more advanced digital setup.
Conclusion
ARAG Private Krankenversicherung follows a service-oriented approach, combining solid core coverage with practical features such as direct billing and app-based claims handling. The tariff structure is straightforward, and key benefits such as enhanced hospital treatment are included across all plans.
For eligible expats, ARAG’s full private health insurance tariffs can be suitable for long-term residence and visa or residence-permit documentation because they are comprehensive German PKV products from a BaFin-supervised insurer. However, expats should always request the official insurance certificate before submitting documents to the immigration office.
At the same time, ARAG is not an English-first insurer. Official contracts, health questions, and service processes are mainly in German. The entry-level tariff also comes with certain restrictions, and important elements such as sick pay must be added separately.
ARAG is particularly suitable for expats who value simpler processes and additional legal protection, while other providers may offer more flexibility, broader customization, or a more advanced English-language digital setup. Before applying, employees should check the 2026 JAEG, all applicants should prepare for medical underwriting, and anyone considering PKV should understand that returning to GKV later can be difficult, especially after age 55.
Frequently Asked Questions
ARAG Private Krankenversicherung is best suited for expats who prefer straightforward tariffs, simplified billing, and practical service features. It is particularly suitable for individuals who value ease of handling and the added security of integrated legal protection in healthcare matters.
No, sick pay is not included by default. It can be added as a separate module, allowing policyholders to tailor income protection based on their employment situation, which is especially relevant for self-employed individuals.
ARAG offers a simplified billing process, with invoices settled directly with doctors and hospitals. In addition, claims can be submitted digitally via the ARAG GesundheitsApp, allowing users to track the processing status and manage reimbursements more easily.