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R + V 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; insurance documents, advisory processes, and customer support are mainly provided in German
- Digital App / Claims Handling: App-based claims submission, customer portal access, TeleClinic services, and digital document management alongside personal advisory support
- Best For: Employees, freelancers, self-employed individuals, and civil servants looking for an established private health insurer with flexible tariff options and personal advisory support
R+V Private Health Insurance Overview
R+V Versicherung is one of Germany’s largest insurance groups and part of the Cooperative Financial Network of Volksbanken Raiffeisenbanken, a nationwide network of cooperative banks and financial institutions. This structure traditionally emphasizes long-term customer relationships, financial stability, and local advisory services rather than short-term sales models.
The insurer offers comprehensive private German health insurance plans, supplementary German health insurance plans, long-term care insurance, and a broad range of personal and business insurance products. Alongside its private health insurance activities, the wider R+V Group also includes the public health insurance provider R+V BKK. Its members benefit from dedicated conditions for selected R+V supplementary health insurance products.
Comprehensive private health insurance is structured around the 3 AGIL tariffs: AGIL classic pro, AGIL comfort, and AGIL premium, covering a broad range of needs from entry-level private health insurance to comprehensive premium coverage. Within the AGIL tariff system, additional tariff variants and deductible options allow for more individualized benefits and different levels of private health insurance premiums.
R+V also places particular emphasis on long-term flexibility through defined tariff change options, allowing policyholders to adjust coverage over time without necessarily undergoing a new medical examination.
- Strong roots in Germany’s cooperative financial network
- Focus on financial stability and long-term customer relationships
- Broad insurance portfolio across multiple insurance segments
- Flexible tariff change options within defined limits
- Customer communication, policy information, and advisory structures are primarily geared toward the German market
- Within the 3 core AGIL tariffs, additional tariff variants and deductible options increase the importance of professional advice during the selection process
- AGIL classic pro and AGIL comfort use a primary doctor model that can reduce reimbursement when specialists are visited without a referral
- Several AGIL tariff variants experienced substantial premium adjustments from January 1, 2026
Digital services complement R+V’s personal advisory approach. Customers can submit claims through the R+V Gesundheit app, access policy documents digitally, arrange consultations online, and use TeleClinic services for selected medical consultations. Personal advisors, telephone support, and local consultation structures continue to play an important role within the overall service model.
Customers can submit claims through the R+V Gesundheit app, access policy documents digitally, arrange consultations online, and use TeleClinic services for selected medical consultations.
Key Health Insurance Tariffs
The AGIL tariffs differ in areas such as outpatient and inpatient treatment, reimbursement levels, dental benefits, international coverage, and optional hospital services. Within the AGIL tariff system, additional tariff variants and deductible options allow for more individualized benefits.
R+V structures comprehensive private health insurance around 3 AGIL tariffs: AGIL classic pro, AGIL comfort, and AGIL premium. AGIL classic pro and AGIL comfort use a primary doctor model, while AGIL premium provides unrestricted choice of doctors.
AGIL classic pro
AGIL classic pro is designed as an entry-level private health insurance tariff that focuses on essential benefits at a lower premium. Policyholders receive reimbursement for outpatient and inpatient treatment, dental care, and preventive services, although some benefits are subject to defined reimbursement limits. The tariff generally follows a more cost-conscious approach than the higher AGIL tariffs and offers more limited international coverage.
Outpatient treatment follows the Primärarztprinzip. Treatment is generally reimbursed at 100% when specialist care follows a referral from an approved primary doctor, such as a general practitioner, gynecologist, pediatrician, ophthalmologist, or TeleClinic doctor. If a specialist is visited directly without the required referral, R+V generally reimburses 75% of the outpatient treatment costs.
Inpatient coverage under AGIL classic pro is limited to standard hospital treatment in a three-bed or multi-bed room with treatment by the hospital’s regular doctors. Double-room accommodation and treatment by the chief physician are not included at this tariff level.
AGIL classic pro uses a primary doctor model. Visiting a specialist without the required referral generally reduces outpatient reimbursement from 100% to 75%. Inpatient care is limited to a standard multi-bed room and regular hospital doctors.
AGIL comfort
AGIL comfort expands coverage in several areas and includes additional hospital benefits such as accommodation in a double room and treatment by a chief physician. Compared with AGIL classic pro, the tariff provides broader protection in selected areas and additional comfort features. It is designed for policyholders seeking broader coverage without moving into the highest premium segment.
AGIL comfort nevertheless uses the same Primärarztprinzip for outpatient care. Specialist treatment is generally reimbursed at 100% when an approved primary doctor provides the referral. If a specialist is visited directly without the required referral, reimbursement generally falls to 75%.
AGIL premium
AGIL premium represents R+V’s most comprehensive private health insurance tariff. It includes extensive outpatient and inpatient benefits, stronger coverage for dental prosthetics and orthodontic treatment, and broader international protection. The tariff also provides reimbursement beyond standard medical and dental fee schedules and offers the highest overall level of coverage within the AGIL tariff family.
Unlike AGIL classic pro and AGIL comfort, AGIL premium does not use the primary doctor model. Policyholders have 100% free choice of doctors from the beginning of the policy, subject to the remaining tariff conditions.
Deductibles and Tariff Flexibility
R+V offers several deductible levels that allow policyholders to adjust the balance between their overall private health insurance costs and out-of-pocket payments. Depending on the selected tariff, deductibles of €0, €480, €960, or €1,920 per year are available. Deductible levels can be increased at any time, while reductions are possible under defined conditions.
A distinctive feature of the AGIL tariff system is the possibility to adjust coverage over time through defined tariff change options. Under certain conditions, policyholders can move to higher-value tariff levels without undergoing a new medical examination. These options are designed to provide greater flexibility when insurance needs change over time.
R+V implemented substantial premium adjustments across parts of its Unisex AGIL tariff portfolio from January 1, 2026. Several commonly used variants, including premium tariff TN1U and tariff variants within the classic pro CP series, experienced double-digit increases ranging from approximately 20% to more than 30%. The exact adjustment depends on the individual tariff variant, age group, deductible, and contract, so current quotes should be compared rather than relying on older price examples.
Several AGIL Unisex tariff variants received substantial premium increases from January 1, 2026, including double-digit adjustments of around 20% to more than 30% in some TN1U and classic pro CP tariff groups. The actual increase depends on the individual contract.
Sick Pay Insurance
Sick pay insurance is available as a separate product and can be tailored to different professional situations. Employees typically arrange benefits to begin after their employer’s statutory salary continuation ends, while self-employed individuals can choose shorter waiting periods.
Contribution Refunds
R+V offers contribution refunds for policyholders who do not submit claims during a calendar year. Preventive examinations and vaccinations can generally be used without affecting entitlement to these refunds.
R+V offers contribution refunds for policyholders who do not submit claims during a calendar year, while preventive examinations and vaccinations can generally be used without affecting entitlement.
International Coverage
Within the European Union, insured individuals receive the same benefits available under their selected tariff in Germany. Outside the EU, coverage depends on the tariff and is limited to temporary stays abroad. Longer stays should be discussed with R+V in advance. For longer trips or separate travel policies, travel health insurance German plans may still be relevant depending on the selected tariff and stay duration.
Within the European Union, insured individuals receive the same benefits available under their selected tariff in Germany. Outside the EU, coverage depends on the tariff and is limited to temporary stays abroad.
Expat Reality Check
- Flexible Coverage Design: Multiple tariff variants and deductible combinations allow for a more individualized insurance setup
- Long-Term Tariff Flexibility: Defined tariff change options allow eligible customers to expand coverage without renewed health underwriting
- Broad Deductible Selection: Multiple deductible levels allow customers to balance monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs according to their individual preferences
- Established Advisory Structures: Personal advisors, telephone support, and consultation services remain an important part of the customer experience
- Free Doctor Choice in AGIL Premium: The premium tariff does not apply the primary doctor model
- German-Market Focus: Service processes, policy management, and customer support are largely structured around the needs of the domestic market
- Advisory-Oriented Selection Process: Multiple tariff variants, deductible levels, and upgrade options can make professional advice necessary when selecting suitable coverage
- Primary Doctor Model: AGIL classic pro and AGIL comfort generally reimburse only 75% of outpatient specialist costs when treatment occurs without the required referral
- Limited Classic Pro Hospital Benefits: AGIL classic pro includes standard hospital doctors and multi-bed accommodation rather than a double room or chief physician treatment
- Separate Sick Pay Insurance: Income protection during longer periods of illness is not automatically included and must be arranged separately
- 2026 Premium Adjustments: Some AGIL Unisex tariff variants increased by approximately 20% to more than 30% from January 1, 2026
Dental and Vision Benefits
Dental and vision benefits in R+V’s comprehensive private health insurance vary across the AGIL tariff family. Coverage can include dental prosthetics, orthodontic treatment, preventive care, and reimbursement beyond standard medical and dental fee schedules. The exact scope of benefits should be reviewed as part of the individual advisory process.
For people insured under the statutory health insurance system, R+V offers German private dental insurance plans through several supplementary dental insurance tariffs (Zahn classic, comfort, and premium) with reimbursement levels of up to 90% for dental prosthetics, implants, crowns, and other high-quality dental treatments. Higher-tier tariffs also include orthodontics if treatment began before the age of 18. R+V emphasizes immediate coverage without waiting periods and does not require health questions during the application process.
Vision-related supplementary insurance is available through the Blick + Check tariffs. Depending on the selected option, reimbursement is available for glasses, contact lenses, laser eye surgery, and preventive medical examinations. Benefits can reach up to €400 within a 2-year period and may also cover preventive examinations that go beyond the standard scope of statutory insurance. Examples include additional cancer screenings, skin cancer examinations, pregnancy-related diagnostics, and selected preventive health check-ups.
R+V Plans Compared
| Comparison Point | AGIL classic pro | AGIL comfort | AGIL premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best For | Entry-level private cover | Broader comfort features | Comprehensive premium cover |
| Contribution Refunds | Claim-free refunds possible | Claim-free refunds possible | Claim-free refunds possible |
| Deductibles | €0, €480, €960, or €1,920 options | €0, €480, €960, or €1,920 options | €0, €480, €960, or €1,920 options |
| Dental Coverage | Dental care, defined limits | Broader dental protection | Stronger prosthetics and orthodontics |
| Inpatient Care | Multi-bed room, standard hospital doctors | Double room, chief physician | Highest inpatient coverage |
| International Coverage | More limited coverage | Temporary stays outside EU | Broader international protection |
| Outpatient Care | 100% with primary-doctor referral; 75% without | 100% with primary-doctor referral; 75% without | 100% reimbursement with free doctor choice |
| Sick Pay | Separate product | Separate product | Separate product |
| Tariff Flexibility | Defined change options | Defined change options | Highest-value tariff level |
Alternatives to R+V Private Health Insurance
When comparing a German private health insurance company list, it is important to look beyond the provider name. Tariff structure, reimbursement levels, digital service, international coverage, and suitability for different customer groups can vary significantly.
While traditional private health insurance companies operate within the same regulatory framework, they differ considerably in how coverage is configured, how tariffs are presented, and how much flexibility is available within their systems.
- Allianz: Offers a wide range of modular tariffs with extensive opportunities to tailor coverage across different medical, hospital, and financial benefit areas
- Debeka: Relies more heavily on individually configured coverage arrangements, with benefits shaped through consultation rather than clearly segmented tariff levels
- HUK-Coburg: Takes a comparatively straightforward approach with less complex tariff structures and a stronger focus on cost-conscious private health insurance solutions
By contrast, digital providers typically prioritize digital accessibility, simplified policy management, and streamlined customer interactions, including English support.
- ottonova: Fully digital private health insurer combining comprehensive health insurance coverage with integrated telemedicine and app-based administration
- Feather: Digital provider focusing on transparent tariff structures, simplified application processes, and straightforward contract management
- Gothaer: Mobile-friendly provider offering multiple different types of insurance plans for expats with a variety of different needs
R+V follows a traditional private insurance approach with personal advice and multiple coverage options, while alternative private health insurance providers may differ in their service model, tariff design, or target audience focus.
Conclusion
R+V is a suitable option for people seeking an established private health insurer with personal advisory support, flexible tariff structures, and the ability to adapt coverage over time. For expats seeking private health insurance in Germany, the combination of tariff flexibility and personal advice can be particularly valuable. The AGIL tariff family covers a broad range of needs, from entry-level private health insurance to comprehensive premium protection, while additional tariff variants and deductible options allow for a more individualized setup.
The primary doctor model is an important distinction within this structure. AGIL classic pro and AGIL comfort generally reimburse outpatient specialist treatment at 100% only when the required primary-doctor referral is obtained; without it, reimbursement generally falls to 75%. AGIL premium provides free choice of doctors without this restriction.
AGIL classic pro also provides more basic inpatient protection, with standard hospital doctors and multi-bed accommodation. AGIL comfort adds a double room and chief physician treatment, while AGIL premium provides the broadest hospital coverage.
The substantial premium adjustments introduced on January 1, 2026 should also be considered when comparing current offers. Some AGIL Unisex tariff variants experienced increases of approximately 20% to more than 30%, although the exact change depends on the individual contract.
In my view, R+V’s strongest differentiator is not a single flagship tariff or benefit category, but the combination of long-term tariff flexibility, multiple configuration options, and a traditional advisory approach. This makes the insurer particularly interesting for expats who value personal guidance and expect their insurance needs to evolve over many years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. R+V offers defined tariff change options within the AGIL tariff system. Under certain conditions, policyholders can move to higher-value tariff levels without undergoing a new health status examination. Eligibility depends on factors such as tariff selection, age, and policy duration.
Yes. R+V’s AGIL tariffs are available to employees, self-employed individuals, freelancers, and civil servants. Self-employed people can also arrange separate sick pay insurance with shorter waiting periods than those typically chosen by employees.
No. Sick pay insurance is arranged separately and is not automatically included in R+V’s comprehensive private health insurance tariffs. R+V offers specific sick pay options for both employees and self-employed individuals.