DKV Private Health Insurance Germany: Review for Expats

DKV Private Health Insurance – Company Overview

DKV private health insurance is provided by DKV Deutsche Krankenversicherung, one of the largest private health insurers in Germany and part of the ERGO Group. The company offers comprehensive health insurance plans, as well as a wide range of supplementary products to meet different coverage needs.

Unlike more individually configured systems, DKV structures its private health insurance around clearly defined tariff tiers. These plans combine outpatient, inpatient, and dental care with varying levels of coverage, making them easier to compare across different price and benefit levels.

In addition to full private health insurance, DKV has a strong presence in supplementary insurance, particularly for those covered by statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung). This includes dental, hospital, and ambulatory add-ons, as well as broader package solutions.

Overall, DKV positions itself as a large, product-driven provider with a clear tariff structure and a broad portfolio, rather than focusing on highly individualized or digital-first models.

Key Health Insurance Tariffs

DKV’s comprehensive private health insurance is structured into 3 main tiers: Basic, Comfort, and Premium, each with a clearly defined level of coverage.

The Basic (BestMed BME) tariff focuses on core medical coverage, with cost-control elements such as higher deductibles and a primary care model in which initial treatment typically occurs through a general practitioner before referral to a specialist. It provides full reimbursement for many standard treatments but applies more restrictions to specialist access, dental prosthetics, and international coverage outside Europe.

The Comfort (BestMed BMK / BMKD) tariff expands benefits across all areas, including treatment beyond standard fee schedules, improved coverage for alternative practitioner treatments, and access to a 2-bed room with chief physician treatment in the hospital. Dental benefits and international coverage are also extended compared to the Basic tier.

The Premium (PremiumMed PMN) tariff offers the highest level of coverage, with very comprehensive reimbursement for outpatient, inpatient, and dental services. This includes high allowances for vision care, strong coverage for alternative treatments, and up to 90% reimbursement for dental prosthetics, with no staged benefit limits. Hospital coverage includes single- or double-room accommodation.

Across all tariffs, coverage within Europe generally applies to temporary stays without a fixed time limit. In contrast, coverage outside Europe ranges from around 1 month in entry-level plans to up to 6 months in more comprehensive tariffs.

Expat Reality Check

Dental and Vision Coverage

Dental coverage in DKV health insurance varies by tariff level. The Basic tariff typically covers preventive and conservative treatments in full, while reimbursement for dental prosthetics is lower and subject to benefit limits in the initial years. Higher-tier tariffs increase reimbursement levels, with the Premium tariff offering up to 90% for prosthetics and removing staged limits.

For those with statutory health insurance, DKV offers a broad range of dental supplementary plans. These include comprehensive KombiMed tariffs covering treatment, prosthetics, implants, and orthodontics, as well as simpler top-up models such as Z80, Z90, and Z100, which increase the statutory reimbursement level rather than covering full costs. KombiMed plans do not apply waiting periods, but benefit limits apply during the first years. Dental supplementary insurance is valid within the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland but does not extend to other countries.

Vision coverage is included within DKV private health insurance, with reimbursement levels depending on the selected tariff and typically defined through fixed allowances for glasses and contact lenses.

Additional coverage is available for those with statutory health insurance through ambulatory supplementary insurance, which is structured in tiers and expands benefits to include higher allowances for visual aids and refractive procedures, such as laser eye surgery. More comprehensive plans also include benefits for hearing aids, medications, preventive care, and alternative practitioner treatments, usually within defined limits.

Alternatives to DKV Private Health Insurance

Traditional private health insurers differ in how they structure their tariff lines and the extent to which coverage can be adjusted within or across plans.

• Allianz: Modular system with extensive customization options across individual benefit areas
• AXA: Structured tariff model with predefined coverage levels and integrated benefits
• Barmenia: Flexible provider combining modular elements with individually configurable tariff components

Digital providers emphasize usability, English-language support, and fully digital processes across application and policy management.

• ottonova: Fully digital insurer with app-based management and a comprehensive private health insurance model
• Feather: Expat-oriented provider with simplified onboarding and clear, English-language plan structures
• Getsafe: App-based platform offering streamlined products and a focus on quick and accessible setup

DKV is characterized by clearly separated tariff lines, where coverage is primarily defined by the selected plan rather than detailed customization within it.

Conclusion

DKV private health insurance is built around distinct tariff tiers, with coverage levels largely determined by the selected plan rather than by detailed customization within it. Core benefits include outpatient, inpatient, and dental care.

In practice, this structure makes plan differences more transparent and emphasizes selecting the right tariff from the outset. Compared to more individually configured models, adjustments within a plan are more limited.

DKV is therefore particularly suitable for expats who prefer clearly structured plan options, while those seeking more flexible or highly tailored coverage may find other providers a better fit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DKV suitable for expats?

DKV can be suitable for expats who prefer clearly structured plan options and transparent differences between tariffs. However, the system requires some familiarity with private health insurance in Germany and does not specifically target expats.

Does DKV include sick pay (Krankentagegeld)?

Sick pay (Krankentagegeld) is not part of the core health insurance benefits and is typically arranged separately or added depending on the selected tariff. It is particularly relevant for self-employed individuals and freelancers who do not receive statutory sick pay.

How does dental coverage differ between tariffs?

Dental benefits vary by tariff level. Preventive and conservative treatments are typically covered in full, while reimbursement for prosthetics increases in higher tiers, reaching up to 90% in Premium tariffs and with fewer or no benefit limits.