Best and cheapest public health insurance in Germany

Not necessarily. Differences in Zusatzbeitrag are ~0.5–1% — meaningful but not huge. Service quality, prevention programmes and English support often matter more.

No. You're with one statutory Krankenkasse at a time. You can switch every 12 months with two months' notice.

BKK firmus at a 2.18% Zusatzbeitrag (16.78% total rate) is the cheapest Krankenkasse open nationwide in 2026, followed by TUI BKK (2.50%), hkk (2.59%), Audi BKK (2.60%) and Techniker Krankenkasse (2.69%). The average is 2.90%. Among the big insurers TK is the cheapest, DAK charges 3.20% and Barmer 3.29%. Regional AOKs start at 2.47% in Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland.

The Zusatzbeitrag is split between you and your employer. On a €5,000 gross monthly salary, every 0.1 percentage point is worth €2.50 a month to you. Moving from the 2.90% average to BKK firmus at 2.18% saves about €18 a month, or €216 a year; moving from Knappschaft at 4.30% to firmus saves about €53 a month. Benefits stay identical, and you can switch after 12 months of membership with two months' notice, or immediately when your Krankenkasse raises its rate.

Yes, if you are an employee earning above €77,400 gross per year (the 2026 threshold), self-employed, a freelancer or a civil servant. In that case the cheapest Krankenkasse is rarely the cheapest option: a 35-year-old on €80,000 pays about €580 a month in the public system before the employer share, while a comprehensive private tariff often costs less and covers more, with the employer still paying half. The switch takes two months' notice to your Krankenkasse. See who qualifies for private health insurance and get a free comparison before you sign up with any Krankenkasse.

TK is cheaper in 2026: 2.69% Zusatzbeitrag against Barmer's 3.29%. On a €5,000 gross salary that is €15 a month less for you as an employee. Barmer answers with stronger prevention bonuses and the sign-up service we run in English; TK has the best English self-service. Both cover the same statutory benefits.