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Supplementary Insurance in Germany
- Statutory health insurance (GKV) in Germany covers medically necessary treatments, but excludes or limits services such as dental prosthetics, additional benefits during hospital stays, or alternative medicine.
- Private supplementary insurance helps close these coverage gaps.
- Popular add-ons to public health insurance include: dental insurance, private hospital insurance, outpatient treatment plans, vision care, accident insurance, and international travel coverage.
- Expats in Germany with public health insurance are also eligible for supplementary policies.
- Digital providers like ottonova, Feather, and Getsafe offer English-language support, flexible contracts, and a fast online sign-up process.
- Costs vary depending on the policy, coverage level, and your health — but basic plans typically start at €10–€20 per month.
Why supplementary insurance matters in Germany
While Germany’s statutory health insurance system (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) provides a strong foundation of care, but focuses strictly on treatments deemed medically necessary. Services such as private hospital rooms, advanced dental treatments, alternative therapies, or extended vision care are either partially or not covered at all.
That’s where private supplementary insurance (“Zusatzversicherung”) comes in. It allows policyholders to top up their public coverage with specific benefits tailored to their needs, ranging from improved hospital accommodations and specialist physician treatment at the hospital to comprehensive dental coverage or expedited access to outpatient specialists. With supplementary insurance, you can access benefits typically reserved for a private patient.
How statutory insurance works
GKV is Germany’s default health insurance system, covering the majority of residents. It includes doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs, and basic dental care. Contributions are income-based, and family members without income (e.g., children, spouses) are insured free of charge.
However, GKV applies a principle of “sufficient and necessary care” — and this often excludes premium materials, private treatment settings, and many preventive or complementary treatments. Patients must pay for those services themselves, unless they have supplementary insurance.
In Germany, employees earning less than €73,800 per year (as of 2025) are required to join the statutory health insurance (GKV). Those above this threshold, along with freelancers, self-employed professionals, civil servants, and certain students, can opt for private health insurance (PKV). Expats should carefully check which insurance provider is responsible for their coverage, based on their employment type, income, and visa status. For example, some expats, such as participants in language courses or visiting scholars without a regular employment contract, can only take out private insurance.
What is supplementary insurance — and who requires it?
Supplementary insurance plans are voluntary policies designed to close the gaps in GKV coverage. These policies reimburse part or all of the costs for services not included in the statutory catalog — for example:
- Dental implants and crowns made of high-quality materials such as ceramic and gold
- Treatment by the hospital’s head physician
- Alternative therapies like osteopathy or homeopathy
- Private hospital rooms or accommodation for accompanying persons
- Glasses and laser eye surgery
- Emergency coverage abroad
- Financial compensation for accidents or hospital stays
People insured under GKV — including expats — are eligible to purchase supplementary insurance. Depending on your situation and personal needs, a single plan or a combination of policies may be the best option for you.
While private health insurance (PKV) already includes broader coverage, some services may still be excluded or limited. For example, daily hospital allowance insurance or accident insurance may be useful for privately insured individuals.
Privately insured employees in Germany continue to receive salary payments from their employer for the first 6 weeks of illness — but unlike individuals covered by statutory health insurance they are not entitled to sick pay after this period. Self-employed individuals with private health insurance typically have no sickness allowance at all unless they arrange additional coverage. For self-employed individuals in the statutory health insurance system (GKV), it is optional to include sick pay coverage in their policy. In private insurance (PKV), a daily sickness allowance can usually be added as a supplementary module or purchased as a separate policy. This type of insurance ensures a continued income in the event of a prolonged illness and is especially important for freelancers and entrepreneurs.
Overview – Types of Supplementary Health Insurance in Germany
Supplementary insurance can be a valuable addition to your public health coverage in Germany, especially for expats. These policies help fill the gaps left by statutory insurance, offering greater comfort, flexibility, and financial protection. Many modern providers offer English-language support and fully digital sign-up processes, making it easy to get insured quickly and conveniently.
The most common types of supplementary insurance in Germany include:
- Dental supplementary insurance
- Hospital daily allowance insurance
- Supplementary hospital insurance (e.g., private room, chief physician treatment)
- Supplementary outpatient insurance (e.g., alternative treatments, preventive care, faster access)
- Travel health insurance for international stays
- Glasses and eye insurance (visual aids, LASIK surgery)
- Accident insurance (treatment costs and compensation for injury-related losses)
Dental Supplementary Insurance
Statutory health insurance (GKV) only covers basic dental care, such as check-ups and simple fillings. High-quality materials, professional cleanings, implants, and orthodontics are not or only partially reimbursed by public insurance. Dental prostheses are subsidized by statutory health insurance companies at 60% to 75% of the cheapest option, depending on your bonus status (acquired by regular dental check-ups).
Supplementary dental insurance helps close these gaps and is particularly useful for expats seeking better treatment options at lower costs. With this policy, you cover between 70% and 100% of your actual dental costs and receive treatment in line with modern standards. Coverage often includes high-quality materials, orthodontics, and professional teeth cleaning, which is not covered by statutory insurance.
Digital providers like ottonova, Feather, and Getsafe offer expat-friendly plans with English support and flexible contracts.
The monthly premiums for supplementary dental insurance are around €10–15. For policies with comprehensive coverage, you may expect slightly higher costs.
Hospital Daily Allowance Insurance
Hospital daily allowance insurance (Krankenhaustagegeldversicherung) provides a fixed amount of money for each day you spend in the hospital, typically between €10 and €50 per day, with a maximum amount defined in the policy. The payout is not tied to any specific medical expenses and can be used freely, for example, to cover co-payments, additional services, or lost income.
Statutory health insurance (GKV) requires a daily co-payment of €10 for up to 28 days per year during inpatient treatment. While this is manageable for short stays, longer hospitalizations can become a financial burden.
This supplementary policy is relatively affordable, with basic coverage starting from around €5–10 per month, depending on your age, the daily amount chosen, and the provider. For expats in Germany, this insurance can provide added financial security during unexpected hospital stays.
Supplementary Hospital Insurance
Supplementary hospital insurance enhances your inpatient experience by covering services not included in standard GKV treatment, such as accommodation in a single or double room, treatment by the hospital’s chief physician, and free choice of hospital.
Private providers like ottonova offer expat-friendly options: the ottonova “Klinik Zweibett” tariff (starting at €11.15/month) includes a two-bed room and senior physician treatment, while the “Klinik Einbett” tariff (from €36.82/month) offers a single room and additional services such as home assistance after discharge.
This insurance is especially valuable for those who prefer more comfort and expert-level care during hospital stays. Monthly premiums vary based on your age at the time of enrollment.
Supplementary Outpatient Insurance
Outpatient supplementary insurance extends your coverage beyond what GKV typically provides. It can include:
- Alternative treatments like osteopathy, acupuncture, and homeopathy
- Preventive services not covered by statutory plans
- Quick access to specialists without long waiting times
- Extended diagnostics, such as additional laboratory or imaging services
This type of insurance is particularly helpful for expats who prefer holistic care options or want more flexibility in choosing doctors and treatments.
Monthly premiums vary but often start around €10–20 per month.
Travel Health Insurance for Trips Abroad
Travel health insurance covers emergency medical treatment abroad — an essential protection if you’re leaving Germany temporarily. It is particularly important for people with statutory health insurance (GKV), as their coverage outside the EU is extremely limited.
For those with private health insurance, worldwide travel coverage is often already included, especially in comprehensive tariffs. Always check your policy details before purchasing additional insurance.
The average cost of travel health insurance varies depending on the provider, policy type, and trip duration. A basic annual policy for individuals can cost between $10 and $20, while family policies range from $20 to $35 per year.
You can find expat-friendly travel health insurance policies from digital insurers such as Getsafe and Feather. Digital sign-up and multilingual support make it ideal for expats. Feather also offers so-called incoming insurance, which international travelers need when applying for a Schengen visa.
Getsafe Travel Health Insurance
Getsafe offers travel health coverage for international stays. For new customers under 40, the 1st year is free; thereafter, the annual premium is €15. The plan includes emergency treatment, medication, and repatriation worldwide.
Feather Travel Insurance
Feather provides 2 travel insurance tariffs:
- Basic: Travel health insurance only
- Premium: Includes travel health insurance and insurances for full or partial cancellation and luggage delay/loss; available for up to 2 adults and 7 children. Pricing depends on the selected services and trip duration. Digital sign-up and multilingual support make it ideal for expats.
If you’re from an EU country and have statutory insurance at home, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you access to emergency healthcare in Germany and across the EU. However, EHIC only covers medically necessary treatment and does not replace full travel insurance, especially for non-emergency services or repatriation.
Glasses and Vision Insurance
Statutory insurance (GKV) provides minimal support for visual aids — usually only in severe cases of visual impairment and limited to standard lenses. Eyeglass frames, contact lenses, anti-reflective coatings, or laser eye surgery are not covered.
Supplementary glasses and vision insurance can reimburse:
- Regular glasses and contact lenses
- Designer or high-quality frames
- Refractive surgery, like LASIK or PRK
For expats who rely on glasses or plan to undergo vision correction procedures, this insurance helps significantly reduce recurring or one-time costs.
Monthly premiums typically range from €5 to € 15, depending on the scope of benefits.
Accident Insurance
Accident insurance in Germany provides financial support after accidents, covering both medical costs and long-term consequences, such as disability. Even if you already have good health coverage, this additional policy can enhance your insurance protection. In case of injury, you may need to report the accident promptly to your insurer to claim benefits like rehabilitation costs or lump-sum payments.
It is especially relevant if you are not covered by statutory accident insurance, which, however, only applies to work-related accidents and commutes of employees.
For expats, this can be valuable in situations such as:
- Sports or leisure accidents
- Accidents involving children or family members
- Self-employed individuals without employer accident coverage
Benefits may include coverage for rehabilitation costs, cosmetic surgery, and lump-sum disability payments.
However, accident insurance is most useful for those with higher risk exposure or limited financial reserves.
The cost of private accident insurance ranges from approximately €7 to € 22 per month. They depend on various factors, including the sum insured, the insured person’s age, the risk group, and the scope of coverage.
How to choose the right supplementary insurance as an expat
With numerous supplementary insurance options available, selecting the right plan depends on your personal needs, insurance status (GKV or PKV), and budget. Here are the key factors to consider:
- Scope of coverage: Always pay close attention to what’s covered, any waiting periods, and cancellation terms before committing to a plan. Focus on services you are likely to need — e.g., dental treatments, hospital comfort, and alternative medicine.
- Waiting periods: Some insurers require a waiting period (typically 3–8 months) before full benefits apply. Digital insurers like Feather, Getsafe, and ottonova often waive or shorten waiting periods.
- Monthly cost vs. benefit: Consider whether the benefits justify the monthly premium. Some plans cost as little as €5–10, while others exceed €30 based on your age and coverage level.
Use comparison platforms or consult an independent insurance broker if you’re unsure which plan best fits your needs. Many digital providers offer user-friendly platforms in English and fast online signup — ideal for expats in Germany.
Conclusion – Is supplementary insurance in Germany worth it for expats?
Yes — supplementary insurance can significantly improve your healthcare experience in Germany, especially if GKV covers you. Public insurance provides only basic care, and out-of-pocket costs for dental, vision, hospital care, or alternative treatments can add up quickly.
With supplementary insurance, you gain better access, comfort, and flexibility — often at affordable monthly rates. Digital providers like ottonova, Feather, and Getsafe cater specifically to expats with transparent plans, English-language support, and easy online processes.
For most international residents, having 1 or 2 well-chosen supplementary policies provides peace of mind, financial protection, and access to a higher standard of medical care in Germany.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
No. If you have comprehensive private health insurance, you do not need any supplementary insurance, with the possible exception of accident insurance. Unlike public insurance, privately insured people select the right tariff based on their individual needs, which may include dental, travel, and vision benefits. Private health insurance can include comprehensive dental coverage, alternative healing methods, treatment by a specialist physician, and a private room in the hospital. Most private health insurance companies offer worldwide coverage, so you typically don’t need additional travel health insurance.
With their private supplementary insurance policies, insurance companies target individuals with statutory insurance who seek the more comprehensive protection of private insurance in specific areas.
Hospital daily allowance insurance pays a fixed amount for each day you spend in the hospital and is meant to cover extra costs during your stay. Sickness daily allowance insurance replaces lost income if you’re unable to work due to illness — it’s especially important for self-employed expats and those with private health insurance, who don’t automatically receive sick pay.
Employees covered by statutory insurance do not necessarily need sickness daily allowance insurance. During the first 6 weeks of illness, their employer continues to pay their salary. If they are ill for longer than this, they receive sickness benefit from their statutory health insurance fund, amounting to 70% of their gross pay. However, daily sickness benefit insurance may be useful for them to close the gap in their income compared to their regular salary.
Yes, you can take out several supplementary insurance policies to cover different needs — for example, dental insurance, hospital comfort insurance, and travel insurance. Make sure the coverage areas don’t overlap unnecessarily and that you can afford the combined monthly premiums.
Most digital providers offer a simple online form to apply for supplementary insurance, which can be completed within a few minutes. You typically answer a few health-related questions (e.g., about pre-existing conditions), select your coverage level, and digitally sign the contract. Digital insurers like ottonova, Getsafe, and Feather make the process fast and expat-friendly.
Many supplementary policies have a minimum contract term of 12 or 24 months. Subsequently, you can cancel with a notice period of 1 to 3 months. Some newer digital plans offer monthly cancellation or flexible upgrade options — always check the terms and conditions before signing.