How we earn our money
We finance our services on how-to-germany.com through affiliate programs.
When a user orders a financial product through our site and their application is approved, we may receive a commission from some providers. It’s important to note that this does not in any way influence our independent ratings and recommendations.
All the products we present on how-to-germany.com are selected for their quality, range of services, and excellent value for money.
AXA 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; most documents and service communication are primarily German.
- Digital App / Claims Handling: Available, with integrated telemedicine services and app-based claims features.
- Best For: Expats looking for clearly presented tariff packages with strong benefits and traditional insurer backing.
- Eligibility benchmark: Employees generally need income above the 2026 annual income threshold of €77,400 to choose private health insurance.
- Main tariff names: AXA’s consumer-facing private health insurance lineup is best understood through EL Bonus, ActiveMe, and GesundExtra.
- Premium warning: AXA had notable 2026 premium adjustments, so long-term affordability should be checked carefully before signing.
- Structure: AXA presents clear plan packages, but the legal tariff structure remains modular with separate components such as dental and sick pay.
AXA Private Health Insurance Overview
AXA Private Krankenversicherung, part of AXA Krankenversicherung AG within the AXA Group, is one of the largest providers of private German health insurance. The company offers a broad range of health insurance products and combines long-standing market experience with a more structured, service-oriented approach than many traditional insurers.
Within the AXA Group, DBV Deutsche Beamtenversicherung serves as the specialist for civil servants and public sector employees, highlighting the group’s segmented structure.
In addition to private health insurance, AXA provides supplementary and German international travel health insurance solutions, including incoming health insurance plans that can suit Germany visa insurance requirements and are therefore relevant for short-term stays in Germany. AXA may also suit a variety of visa application needs, from employee coverage to private German student health insurance.
- One of the largest providers of private health insurance in Germany.
- Consumer-facing plan structure makes the first comparison easier.
- EL Bonus, ActiveMe, and GesundExtra give clearer entry, comfort, and premium reference points.
- Dental coverage and Krankentagegeld can be packaged into the recommended plan setup.
- Additional services include telemedicine, specialist appointment support, and psychotherapy access support.
- AXA is still structurally modular, even when plans are presented as packages.
- ActiveMe uses a primary-care physician model, so access rules matter.
- International coverage outside Europe is limited to shorter stays and depends on the selected tariff.
- Premium stability needs careful review after AXA’s notable 2026 contribution adjustments.
- Employees must meet the 2026 income threshold before switching from statutory insurance to full private insurance.
Key Health Insurance Tariffs
AXA Private Krankenversicherung should not be described only through generic S, M, and L labels. Those labels can help readers understand the rough level of cover, but expats will usually see actual tariff names in offers and official documents. The main private health insurance structure is better explained through EL Bonus, ActiveMe, and GesundExtra.
AXA launched GesundExtra in April 2025 as its newer premium tariff generation. This matters for a 2026 review because GesundExtra replaced older premium positioning for new clients and introduced a more flexible deductible-based premium setup. Older premium options, such as Vital-style structures, should not be treated as the current flagship offer for new customers.
However, AXA private health insurance should still not be described as a non-modular system. Structurally and legally, AXA uses component tariffs, known as Bausteine. Elements such as dental coverage and Krankentagegeld can appear as separate tariff blocks, even when AXA presents them together in a streamlined consumer-facing package.
AXA’s private health insurance is easier to understand when mapped to actual tariff names: EL Bonus as the basic-style setup, ActiveMe as the comfort-style setup, and GesundExtra as the newer premium generation. The presentation is structured, but the underlying contract can still include separate tariff components such as dental coverage, daily sickness allowance, nursing care, or contribution relief modules.
| AXA tariff | Positioning | Key mechanics to check |
|---|---|---|
| ActiveMe | Comfort-style private health insurance setup. | Uses a primary-care physician model and includes a 20% deductible capped at €500. |
| EL Bonus | Basic-style private health insurance setup. | Includes a basic €360 deductible and standard multi-bed hospital room coverage. |
| GesundExtra | Newer premium tariff generation launched in 2025. | Offers premium benefits and flexible deductible-based stages such as GesundExtra 1, 2, and 3. |
Tariff differences
Across AXA’s main private health insurance tariffs, outpatient care, inpatient treatments, and preventive services are covered at a high level, but the plan mechanics differ significantly.
The main differences between the plans relate to reimbursement levels, benefit scope, deductible structure, access rules, module configuration, and additional services. Higher-tier plans, especially GesundExtra, offer more comprehensive coverage for alternative treatments, preventive care, psychotherapy, and enhanced hospital treatment.
Higher-tier plans offer more comprehensive coverage for alternative treatments, preventive care, and psychotherapy, and include enhanced hospital treatment.
EL Bonus is the basic-style AXA setup
EL Bonus is the more basic-style AXA private health insurance setup. It can be attractive for people who want a lower entry premium and a clearer starting point, but it requires careful review of deductibles and hospital comfort.
A key point for expats is that EL Bonus includes a basic deductible of around €360 and standard multi-bed hospital room coverage. This can keep the setup more affordable, but it may be less suitable for people who expect higher comfort levels during hospital treatment or broader reimbursement in specific areas.
ActiveMe uses a primary-care physician model
ActiveMe is positioned as a comfort-style AXA tariff. Its key mechanic is the Hausarztprinzip, or primary-care physician model. This means the tariff is structured around using a primary doctor pathway rather than always going directly to specialists.
ActiveMe also includes a 20% deductible capped at €500. This can make costs easier to predict than an open-ended deductible, but expats should still understand when and how the deductible applies.
ActiveMe can be a strong middle option, but the primary-care physician model matters. Expats who prefer direct specialist access should ask exactly how referral rules affect reimbursement before choosing this tariff.
GesundExtra is AXA’s newer premium generation
GesundExtra is AXA’s newer premium private health insurance generation, launched in 2025. It is especially important for new customers because it replaced older premium positioning and gives AXA a more modern flagship tariff structure.
GesundExtra is built around three deductible-based stages, commonly presented as GesundExtra 1, GesundExtra 2, and GesundExtra 3. These stages allow customers to choose a stronger premium-level setup while still considering deductible flexibility. Expats comparing AXA should make sure they are looking at the current GesundExtra structure rather than older premium tariffs that may no longer represent the new-business offer.
For new AXA PKV customers in 2026, GesundExtra is the tariff generation to check when comparing premium-level benefits. Older premium tariff names may still appear in existing contracts but should not be treated as the current flagship offer for new clients.
Integrated sick pay
Daily sickness allowance, known as Krankentagegeld, can be included in AXA’s recommended private health insurance setup. This is important because private health insurance does not automatically include statutory sickness benefit.
For employees, Krankentagegeld usually becomes relevant after the end of employer salary continuation. For self-employed people, the start date and daily amount need even closer attention because there is no employer-paid salary continuation. Depending on the selected setup, sick pay may be shown as part of the packaged offer, but it remains a distinct benefit component that should be checked carefully.
AXA may package Krankentagegeld into the recommended setup, but expats should still check the daily amount, start date, and whether the benefit fits their income needs.
Additional services
Additional services further differentiate the tariffs. These include telemedicine access through online doctor consultations, support for faster specialist appointments, and assistance with accessing psychotherapy, including help finding therapy appointments.
Additional services include telemedicine access through online doctor consultations, support for faster specialist appointments, and assistance with accessing psychotherapy.
International coverage
Coverage remains in place for permanent moves within the EU, while international coverage outside Europe is limited to shorter stays and depends on the selected tariff.
Coverage remains in place for permanent moves within the EU, while international coverage outside Europe is limited to shorter stays and depends on the selected tariff.
Costs and Eligibility Benchmarks
AXA private health insurance premiums are calculated individually. The final monthly price depends on age, health history, employment status, selected tariff level, deductible, daily sickness allowance, and any optional components.
For employees, the first eligibility question is whether private health insurance is legally available. In 2026, employees generally need gross annual income above €77,400, or €6,450 per month, to leave statutory health insurance and choose full private health insurance. Freelancers and self-employed people can usually choose between statutory and private health insurance regardless of income, but they pay the full private premium themselves.
For employed expats, the employer subsidy changes the real cost calculation. In 2026, the maximum monthly employer subsidy is €508.59 for private health insurance and €104.63 for private nursing care insurance. Together, this can add up to €613.22 per month, although the employer never pays more than half of the actual eligible premium.
The following ranges are only indicative examples for orientation. They are not AXA quotes and do not replace an individual application or underwriting result.
| Example profile | Indicative monthly premium range | What changes the price |
|---|---|---|
| 30-year-old employee | Approx. €500–€750 gross monthly before employer subsidy. | Tariff level, deductible, dental module, daily sickness allowance, and health history. |
| 30-year-old self-employed person | Approx. €650–€950 monthly if stronger sick-pay protection is included. | Self-employed people pay the full premium and must choose sick-pay timing carefully. |
| Older applicant or higher-risk profile | Often significantly higher than entry-level examples. | Age, medical history, risk surcharges, and broader benefit choices can increase the premium. |
Private health insurance prices are individual. AXA can only confirm the real premium after tariff selection, health questions, underwriting, and any module choices such as dental coverage or Krankentagegeld.
Premium stability is one of the biggest concerns in German private health insurance. Market and broker reports described substantial AXA premium adjustments for 2026, with adult increases affecting tariffs such as ActiveMe-U and EL-Bonus-U. Expats should ask whether the quoted tariff, age group, and deductible stage were affected by recent or upcoming Beitragsanpassungen before signing.
Expat Reality Check
- Current Premium Option: GesundExtra gives new customers a newer premium tariff generation to compare.
- Structured Plan Presentation: EL Bonus, ActiveMe, and GesundExtra make AXA easier to understand at first glance than highly open modular systems.
- Service Orientation: Telemedicine, app-based policy management, appointment support, and assistance in finding psychotherapy improve access to care.
- Sick Pay Can Be Packaged: Krankentagegeld can be included in the recommended setup for employees and self-employed people.
- Vision Benefits: Tiered allowances and coverage for procedures such as LASIK may apply in higher plans.
- Limited English Support: Most communication and documentation are handled in German.
- Still Modular Underneath: The visible package can include separate tariff components, so the contract still needs careful review.
- Premium Adjustment Risk: AXA’s 2026 premium adjustments make long-term affordability especially important to review.
- Primary-Care Rules: ActiveMe uses a Hausarzt-style access model that may not suit everyone.
- Eligibility Barrier for Employees: Employees generally need income above the 2026 JAEG before choosing full private health insurance.
Our partner-style broker view would be: AXA can be worth comparing if you want a major traditional insurer with structured plan presentation and strong service features. The main warning is that expats should not choose AXA only because the S, M, and L presentation looks simple. Ask for the exact tariff names, deductible stage, sick-pay setup, dental component, and premium-adjustment history before applying.
Dental and Vision Coverage
Private German dentist insurance in AXA’s private comprehensive health insurance is usually included in the recommended plan setup, but the underlying dental coverage can still be structured through separate tariff components. Preventive and conservative dental treatments can be covered at high levels across the plan structure, while reimbursement for dental prosthetics varies by tariff level and component.
In addition, AXA offers separate tariffs for supplementary dental insurance aimed at individuals covered under statutory health insurance. AXA’s updated dental supplementary lineup now includes Zahn easy, Zahn Klassik, Zahn Komfort, and Zahn Premium. This means the older three-plan description is incomplete for a current 2026 review.
| Dental tariff | Positioning | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Zahn easy | Budget-oriented supplementary dental option. | Check annual caps, waiting periods, and whether the lower price fits your treatment risk. |
| Zahn Klassik | Entry-to-mid supplementary dental option. | Check reimbursement for dental prosthetics and early-year limits. |
| Zahn Komfort | Higher supplementary dental option. | Check stronger reimbursement levels and orthodontic conditions. |
| Zahn Premium | Top supplementary dental option. | Check premium benefits, fee-schedule limits, and high-cost treatment rules. |
Vision benefits are part of AXA’s private health insurance tariffs, with clearly defined allowances for glasses and contact lenses depending on the selected plan. Additional coverage for procedures such as LASIK is included in higher-tier tariffs.
For statutory health insurance members, AXA offers ambulatory supplementary German health insurance products, such as MED and MED Komfort, which extend coverage for visual aids, alternative treatments such as those provided by Heilpraktiker, and preventive care.
Alternatives to AXA Private Health Insurance
Traditional private health insurers are primarily distinguished by how they structure their tariffs and the level of customization they allow within long-term contracts.
- Allianz: Offers a more modular approach with extensive customization options and clearly defined international coverage, making it a strong alternative for those seeking maximum flexibility.
- DKV: Long-established insurer with a broad tariff landscape and consistent coverage standards across different customer profiles.
- ERGO: Provides a wide selection of tariffs with a balance between structured plans and configurable elements, suitable for users who want flexibility without a fully modular system.
Digital providers emphasize ease of access, English-language support, and fully digital interaction across the entire insurance lifecycle.
- Feather: Designed with international customers in mind, offering simplified onboarding, clear plan structures, and English-language support.
- Getsafe: Emphasizes a streamlined, mobile-first experience with straightforward products and quick setup, though with a narrower overall scope.
- ottonova: Focuses on fully digital policy management, combining app-based handling with integrated healthcare services such as telemedicine.
AXA positions itself between these models. It uses a structured plan presentation to simplify comparison, but the underlying private health insurance contract can still include modular tariff components. Alternative providers may offer greater flexibility, stronger English support, a more digital experience, or a different balance between packaged and configurable benefits.
Conclusion
AXA Private Krankenversicherung offers a structured approach to private health insurance in Germany, combining recognizable plan levels with strong benefits such as dental coverage, sick pay options, telemedicine, and app-based management. This makes AXA easier to navigate than highly complex tariff systems, especially for expats who want a clearer first comparison.
The most important 2026 update is that AXA should be compared through its real tariff names, especially EL Bonus, ActiveMe, and the newer GesundExtra premium generation. ActiveMe’s primary-care model, EL Bonus’s basic deductible and hospital setup, and GesundExtra’s premium deductible stages can affect the real user experience more than the generic S, M, and L labels.
At the same time, AXA should not be treated as completely non-modular. The consumer-facing plan levels can still be built from separate tariff components, including dental coverage and Krankentagegeld. Expats should review the exact offer, not only the plan label.
AXA is best suited for people who want a large traditional insurer with structured plan presentation and strong service features. Employees should first confirm that they meet the 2026 private health insurance income threshold of €77,400 per year and calculate the employer subsidy correctly. Self-employed applicants should pay close attention to the full monthly premium, deductible, premium-adjustment history, and sick-pay setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
AXA Private Krankenversicherung is best suited for expats who prefer a clearly structured insurance model with integrated benefits rather than a highly modular system. It is particularly suitable for individuals who value straightforward plan design, built-in services such as sick pay, and easier overall handling.
AXA can be challenging for non-German speakers, as most communication and documentation are primarily handled in German. However, digital services such as telemedicine and app-based claims management can make everyday interactions more accessible than with purely traditional insurers.
AXA’s tariffs are less flexible than modular systems, as most core benefits are already integrated into predefined plans. While this reduces complexity and makes the structure easier to understand, it also limits the ability to customize coverage compared to providers that offer more granular configuration options.
51067 Köln