Is Therapy Covered by Health Insurance in Germany?

Last checked 2 November 2026. Rules for adults, based on German statute and published figures.

Quick answer: Yes. Public and private health insurance both pay for therapy that treats a diagnosed condition with an approved method. The difficulty is access, not coverage. Public patients often wait months for a place, and private tariffs differ on session limits. For the wider picture, see what private health insurance covers.

Does public health insurance cover therapy in Germany?

Yes, for behavioural therapy, depth-psychology-based therapy, psychoanalysis and systemic therapy. You need no referral for the first step. Under section 75 SGB V, the initial consultation hour (Sprechstunde) is open without one, and the therapist then tells you whether treatment makes sense.

Source: Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung (KBV), kbv.de/html/26956.php, summarising the G-BA guideline.

How long is the wait for therapy under public insurance?

A chamber of psychotherapists (BPtK) reported in December 2022 an average of 142.4 days from the consultation hour to the start of therapy, about 20 weeks (142.4 ÷ 7 = 20.3). It used billing data of roughly 300,000 publicly insured people who attended a consultation hour in the first quarter of 2019. The national association of public health funds disputes the method and cites waits of a few days, so treat the figure as the upper end. For acute need, the law caps the wait for acute treatment at two weeks.

Can public insurance reimburse a private therapist?

Sometimes. Under section 13 paragraph 3 SGB V, the insurer reimburses a self-arranged benefit if it could not provide an urgent one in time or wrongly refused it. In practice, people who find no place after often around three months ask the insurer in writing before they start. Statutory decision deadlines exist, but how they apply to therapy is contested, so approval is not guaranteed.

Does private health insurance cover therapy in Germany?

The tariff decides. Many tariffs cap sessions per year or ask for cost approval before you start. You arrange the therapist yourself and submit the invoices. Our guide on psychotherapy and private health insurance goes deeper.

What does therapy cost with public and private cover?

Source: KBV, BPtK press release of 9 December 2022, section 13 SGB V, tariff terms. No per-session price is published here because none is sourced. Ask for it in writing.

What should you check in a private tariff?

Look for the session limit per year, the reimbursement percentage, whether cost approval comes first, which methods and practitioners count, and whether inpatient psychiatry is included. The application includes health questions. A free consultation explains how they work for your situation.

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. See also what private health insurance covers.

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.