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.
ERGO Private Health Insurance
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...
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; some services available, but not consistently across all areas
- Digital App / Claims Handling: Available through the unified Meine DKV app and customer portal
- Best For: Expats who prefer a few clearly defined plans and a straightforward tariff choice
ERGO Private Health Insurance Overview
ERGO is one of Germany’s large insurance groups, offering products across multiple areas, including health, life, and property insurance. Within the group, comprehensive private health insurance is provided by DKV Deutsche Krankenversicherung AG, the ERGO Group’s specialized health insurer. Any full private health insurance policy arranged through ERGO is therefore contractually issued and underwritten by DKV.
DKV private German health insurance is limited to a few clearly defined tariffs. Selecting the appropriate plan is the central decision for expats, especially those in unique study or German employment visa circumstances, as there are no modular add-ons within the core plans, aside from limited adjustments such as deductibles and optional sick pay.
Employees can only switch to full private health insurance if their regular gross annual salary exceeds the applicable Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze. In 2026, the general JAEG is €77,400 per year (€6,450 per month).
- DKV private health insurance is limited to a few clearly defined tariffs.
- Selecting the appropriate plan is the central decision for expats.
- Digital services, including claims submission and policy management through the Meine DKV app, are part of the overall setup.
- Comprehensive private health insurance is issued by DKV rather than ERGO itself.
- There are no modular add-ons within the core plans.
- Adjustments are limited to areas such as deductibles and optional sick pay.
- Coverage outside Europe depends on the selected tariff and applicable conditions.
Alongside comprehensive DKV private health insurance, ERGO offers a range of supplementary health insurance products for those in the statutory system, including dental, vision, and hospital coverage.
The unified Meine DKV app provides access to functions such as digital claims submission, reimbursement tracking, documents, and other healthcare services.
Key ERGO Health Insurance Tariffs
The comprehensive private health insurance tariffs available through the ERGO Group are DKV products structured around 3 core tariffs: BestMed Eco (BME), BestMed Komfort (BMK), and PremiumMed (PMN). These plans cover outpatient treatment, hospital care, and dental services, with differences primarily in reimbursement levels, access to services, and the extent of included benefits. Deductibles can be adjusted depending on the selected tariff.
Eco tariff
The BestMed Eco (BME) tariff focuses on basic coverage with cost-control elements. Treatment typically follows a general practitioner model, requiring initial consultation with a GP before seeing a specialist, and several benefits are limited or tied to specific conditions.
This includes restrictions on specialist access, alternative treatments, and medical aids, as well as more limited international coverage outside Europe.
BestMed Eco typically follows a general practitioner model, requiring initial consultation with a GP before seeing a specialist.
Komfort tariff
The BestMed Komfort (BMK) tariff expands coverage across all core areas. It allows free choice of doctors, higher reimbursement levels, and improved hospital benefits, including access to treatment beyond standard fee schedules.
Coverage for alternative treatments, medical aids, and international stays is also extended compared to the entry-level tariff.
BestMed Komfort expands coverage across all core areas. It allows free choice of doctors, higher reimbursement levels, and improved hospital benefits.
Premium tariff
The PremiumMed (PMN) tariff offers the most comprehensive coverage. Many limitations found in lower tiers are removed or significantly reduced, including higher reimbursement levels for dental prosthetics and inlays, full access to alternative treatments, and broader coverage for medical aids and preventive services.
Additional benefits, such as digital health applications and extended allowances in specific areas, are included only at this level.
PremiumMed offers the most comprehensive coverage. Many limitations found in lower tiers are removed or significantly reduced.
Hospital and international coverage
Hospital benefits vary by tariff, with 1- or 2-bed room options included in higher tiers and chief physician treatment reserved for the highest level.
Full DKV private health insurance provides international medical coverage according to the selected tariff conditions. Coverage within Europe is generally not subject to a short travel-insurance time limit, while worldwide protection outside Europe may be subject to tariff-specific conditions or duration limits. This is part of comprehensive PKV and should not be confused with German travel health insurance or Schengen travel insurance, which are separate, time-limited products intended for temporary trips or visa stays.
Comprehensive DKV private health insurance includes international medical coverage under the applicable tariff conditions. It is not the same product as temporary Schengen or travel health insurance.
Expat Reality Check
- Clear 3-Tariff Structure: BestMed Eco, BestMed Komfort, and PremiumMed define distinct coverage levels
- Transparent Upgrade Path: Key benefits such as dental prosthetics, hospital access, and medical aids improve from BestMed Eco to PremiumMed
- European Coverage: Comprehensive PKV coverage within Europe is generally not subject to a short travel-insurance time limit
- Digital Claims Handling: Claims, documents, and reimbursement tracking are available through the Meine DKV app
- DKV Is the Risk Carrier: Full private health insurance arranged through ERGO is contractually a DKV policy
- No Modular Adjustments: Coverage cannot be customized beyond tariff selection, aside from deductibles and optional sick pay
- GP Model in Eco Tariff: Initial consultation with a GP is required before seeing specialists
- Reimbursement Linked to Approved Providers: Full coverage for certain benefits, especially medical aids, may depend on using approved suppliers
- Tariff-Specific Worldwide Coverage: Conditions for treatment outside Europe depend on the selected DKV tariff
- Premium-Centric Benefits: Full access to services such as chief physician treatment, higher dental reimbursements, and digital health applications is limited to the top tier
Dental and Vision Coverage
Dental coverage in DKV private health insurance is integrated directly into the core tariffs and varies by tariff level. Preventive dental care, standard dental treatment, and plastic or composite fillings are generally reimbursed at 100% across all three core tariffs.
The tiered reimbursement limits apply to more advanced dental services rather than standard fillings. Inlays are reimbursed at approximately 70% to 100% depending on the tariff, while dental prosthetics such as crowns, bridges, and dentures are covered at approximately 70%, 75%, or up to 90% in the highest tariff. Implant coverage follows a similar structure, with reimbursement ranging from around 70% to 90% and limits on the number of implants per jaw in lower- and mid-tier plans.
Supplementary private German dentist insurance for those insured under the statutory system is structured in tiers and differentiates between prosthetics, treatment, and preservation, with varying reimbursement levels and defined benefit limits in the initial years. More comprehensive plans expand coverage significantly, while simpler options focus on increasing statutory reimbursement rather than covering full costs.
Vision coverage within DKV private health insurance is limited and typically subject to defined allowances or partial reimbursement. Support for glasses, contact lenses, or corrective procedures depends on the selected tariff.
Additional vision-related benefits are available through supplementary insurance for those insured under the statutory system. These plans provide fixed allowances for visual aids, preventive examinations, and procedures such as laser eye correction, usually within defined limits and intervals.
Alternatives to ERGO Private Health Insurance
Traditional private health insurers vary in how they combine modular tariff elements with predefined coverage structures, as well as in the level of flexibility offered within their plans.
- Allianz: Modular tariff system with flexible add-ons and extensive customization across individual benefit areas
- AXA: Structured plans with integrated benefits and clearly defined coverage levels
- ARAG: More streamlined setup with a focus on simplified processes and integrated additional services, such as legal protection
Digital providers are designed around ease of use, English-language support, and fully digital interaction across application and policy management.
- ottonova: Fully digital insurer offering private health insurance tariffs comparable in scope to traditional providers, combined with app-based management
- Feather: Expat-focused intermediary with simplified onboarding and a strong emphasis on clear, English-language processes
- Getsafe: Digital platform working with partner insurers such as Hallesche, offering streamlined products through a mobile-first interface
The ERGO Group’s comprehensive private health insurance offering is defined by DKV’s predefined coverage levels rather than modular components, with only limited adjustment options such as deductibles and optional sick pay.
Conclusion
Comprehensive private health insurance available through the ERGO Group is issued by DKV Deutsche Krankenversicherung AG. It is based on predefined tariffs, where coverage is determined by the selected plan rather than adjusted through modules. The three principal tariff lines are BestMed Eco, BestMed Komfort, and PremiumMed.
Key differences are built into the tariffs themselves. Standard plastic and composite fillings are reimbursed at 100% across the three core tariffs, while tiered reimbursement applies to inlays, dental prosthetics, and implants. In addition, some benefits depend on using approved providers, and worldwide coverage outside Europe follows the conditions of the selected DKV tariff.
Employees must also satisfy the statutory eligibility rules before switching to full PKV. In 2026, their regular gross annual salary must exceed the general JAEG of €77,400.
For expats, DKV private health insurance through the ERGO Group is best suited to those who prefer clearly defined plans and a predictable structure for instances such as needing to meet Germany visa insurance requirements, and who are comfortable making a one-time decision rather than configuring coverage in detail. Policy administration and claims can be handled through the Meine DKV app.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, sick pay is not included in the core tariffs. It must be arranged separately and can be adjusted depending on the chosen plan. This is particularly relevant for self-employed individuals who do not receive continued salary payments in case of illness.
Dental benefits vary by treatment type and tariff. Preventive and basic treatments are generally covered, while procedures such as fillings, inlays, prosthetics, and implants are reimbursed at tiered levels, typically ranging from 70% to 90%, depending on the plan. Full coverage is available for fillings in the highest tariff, while prosthetics and implants remain below full reimbursement.
Yes, ERGO offers Beitragsrückerstattung (premium refunds) if no claims are submitted over a certain period. These can include both guaranteed and performance-based components and may reach comparatively high levels depending on the tariff and deductible.
90344 Nürnberg