Is IVF Covered by Health Insurance in Germany? (2026)

Last checked 2 November 2026. General rules, not medical advice.

Quick answer: Partly. Public health insurance pays 50 % of the approved costs for up to three unsuccessful attempts, for married couples within age limits who use only their own egg and sperm cells. Private health insurance depends on the tariff and on who has the medical cause. A state programme may cover part of what remains. For the wider picture, see what private health insurance covers.

What does public health insurance pay for IVF in Germany?

Section 27a SGB V sets several conditions. The insurer pays 50 % of the costs approved in the treatment plan, and only for treatment of its own insured person. Entitlement ends once the treatment has failed three times, so say "up to three unsuccessful attempts" rather than three cycles for every method. The insured person must be at least 25 (the 25th year completed), and entitlement ends at the 40th birthday for women and the 50th birthday for men. The couple must be married to each other and may use only their own egg and sperm cells (no donor cells). A doctor who does not perform the treatment must counsel you first and refer you to an authorised centre. Some public insurers add benefits in their statutes, and the law lists IVF among the areas where they may. Check yours.

Source: section 27a and section 11 paragraph 6 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de.

What does private health insurance pay for IVF?

It depends on the tariff. The law (section 192 VVG) requires the insurer to reimburse medically necessary treatment of an illness, and inability to conceive counts if it rests on a biological impairment. In practice, you must be the cause or a co-cause, so treatment of the insured partner is usually reimbursed. Treatment of an uninsured partner depends on tariff conditions. The law sets no age limit, attempt cap or marriage requirement, but tariffs set their own conditions, including prior cost approval and the number of cycles. We print no percentage, because none is sourced.

Is there state or federal money for IVF?

Possibly. The federal family ministry describes a subsidy of up to 50 % of the own share that remains after the insurer has paid, but only if your state runs its own programme. There is no legal entitlement, funding depends on available budget, and nothing is paid if insurance already covers 100 %. Unmarried couples in a long-term heterosexual partnership are now eligible too. Check whether your state takes part.

How much of an IVF cycle do you pay yourself?

No price per cycle is sourced, so here is the split as a model per EUR 100 of approved costs. It is an example, not a price list.

Source: section 27a SGB V, federal family ministry. The subsidy is not guaranteed.

What should you check in a private tariff?

Look for a fertility clause, the number of cycles, how the tariff treats an uninsured partner, whether prior cost approval is required, and any age or marriage conditions. Waiting periods before IVF is covered also differ, so ask. The application includes health questions. A free consultation explains how they work for you.

Want a free check of your options?

Private health insurance suits people up to about 45 best, and the longer you stay in Germany, the better it gets. If you are an employee above the income threshold (EUR 77,400 in 2026, EUR 84,150 in 2027 by cabinet decision of 7 October 2026, Bundesrat approval pending), or self-employed or a freelancer, request a free quote. Below the threshold, see public health insurance options or the income threshold for 2027. You can also read what private health insurance covers in full.

Myhealthcarebroker is an independent insurance broker. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and tariffs change, so confirm details before you decide.