July 23, 2025, 2:00 am | Read time: 8 minutes

Statutory health insurance is facing increasing financial pressure in 2025. To manage rising expenses, health insurance funds are increasingly relying on individual additional contributions. These vary by provider and currently range from 2.18 to 4.4 percent. On average, the additional contribution is about 2.5 percent.

There is no end in sight to this trend–on the contrary, further increases in contributions are likely for many insured individuals. Those who do not want to pay more than necessary should consider whether switching to a cheaper provider is an option.

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What is the purpose of the additional contribution?

Statutory health insurance funds are financed partly through the uniform general contribution rate of 14.6 percent and partly through the additional contribution, which they can set themselves. This tool was introduced in 2015 to allow flexible responses to individual financial needs. However, the contribution set by the board of directors must be approved by the Federal Office for Social Security.

Since the additional contribution can significantly impact the financial burden on policyholders, it plays a central role in comparing insurance funds. If the contribution increases, members have a special right to terminate their contract–a switch to a cheaper provider is possible at any time.

How is it calculated?

The calculation is based on the contributory gross income. The additional contribution is levied proportionally, just like the general contribution, and is listed separately on the salary or pension statement.

For employees and pensioners with mandatory insurance, the employer or pension insurance covers half of the additional contribution. It is different for those with voluntary insurance–such as self-employed individuals, students, freelancers, or people without earned income: They bear the full cost of the additional contribution themselves.¹

Statutory Insured Can Save Hundreds of Euros by Switching Health Insurance

In 2021, statutory insured individuals nationwide forfeited 6.5 billion euros by not switching to a health insurance provider with a cheaper rate. Consumer advocates explain how to switch to a more affordable provider. Statutory health insurance funds can charge an additional contribution on top of the regular contribution. Depending on the provider, this contribution can vary. Many insurance funds increased this additional contribution as early as January 2021. At that time, it was around 1.3 percent, calculated on the gross salary. If the insurance fund increases the contribution, you have a legal right to terminate the contract and can switch to another provider with a better rate after two calendar months. Since 2021, there has also been a shortened binding period. Now, you can switch providers every twelve months.

Example from the Past: Savings Potential in 2021

A calculation example from 2021 shows how great the savings potential was at that time: If all statutory insured individuals in Germany had switched to a provider with a particularly low additional contribution (e.g., 0.39 percent), around 6.5 billion euros would have been saved nationwide. In North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg, the cheapest providers charged only 0.35 percent, while the most expensive rate was 2.5 percent.

According to calculations at the time, insured individuals with an annual income of 58,050 euros could have saved up to 624 euros annually–with an income of 30,000 euros, still 323 euros.

Such figures cannot be directly applied to 2025–but they show that a switch can be worthwhile. The GKV-Spitzenverband offers an overview of insurance funds with current contribution rates, enabling a nationwide comparison.²

Also interesting: List of all health insurance funds and for whom they are suitable

Significant Differences in Additional Contributions and Benefits

Those who have been considering switching health insurance providers–perhaps due to rising additional contributions or lack of extra benefits–should act now. According to the GKV-Spitzenverband, there are currently 94 statutory health insurance funds (as of Jan. 1, 2025), making a comparison worthwhile. Two factors play a central role in the selection: the amount of the additional contribution and the extra benefits offered, such as subsidies for dental cleaning, osteopathy, or travel vaccinations. The magazine “Stiftung Warentest Finanzen” examined 67 funds in its August 2025 issue, covering 98 percent of the insured.

According to Stiftung Warentest, the range of additional contributions is from 2.18 to 4.40 percent. Particularly affordable providers with nationwide access include BKK Firmus (16.78 percent contribution rate), hkk (16.79 percent), and Audi BKK (17.00 percent). A switch can be worthwhile: With a monthly gross salary of 3,000 euros, up to 400 euros in annual savings are possible. However, the tax burden may slightly increase, as lower contributions raise taxable income.

A Tip for Savvy Savers

It doesn’t always have to be the lowest contribution. Those who regularly use services like osteopathy, health courses, or travel vaccinations should specifically check which insurance funds offer subsidies for these. The online comparison by Stiftung Warentest helps find a suitable provider. Even a fund with an average contribution can indirectly bring savings.

Is It Worth Switching to Another Statutory Health Insurance?

Statutory health insurance funds use various means to stand out from the competition and meet the wishes of their insured. These include special optional tariffs, bonus programs, a wide range of additional services, and different approaches to consultation. The amount of the additional contribution remains a key selection criterion. Before making a decision, it may be helpful to seek advice from independent sources such as consumer centers or Stiftung Warentest.

Checklist for Switching Insurance Providers

• What special optional tariffs does the insurance fund offer–such as with deductibles or refunds for no claims?
• How high is the individual additional contribution compared to other funds?
• How good is the accessibility and quality of consultation–by phone, online, or in person?
• Is personal support in a branch important, or is digital or phone service sufficient?
• What additional services are offered–such as for dental prophylaxis, alternative healing methods, or vaccinations?
• Are there structured treatment programs, for example, for chronic diseases?
• What bonus models are available–and do they fit your health behavior?
• What are the cancellation periods and requirements for switching insurance providers?

Optional tariffs, bonus programs, and individual additional services also make a difference. Many insurance funds offer treatment programs, premiums for healthy behavior, or special tariffs for longer commitments. Those who regularly participate in preventive check-ups or sports programs can benefit from bonus systems. Before switching, it’s worth not only looking at the contribution amount but also comparing the services.³

How Much Does the Employer Cover for Additional Contributions?

Most insurance funds notify at the end of the year whether and to what extent they will increase the additional contribution. This is done in writing, with information about the increase, the special right of termination, the average additional contribution, and an overview of the additional contribution rates of the GKV.⁴

Since January 2019, employees and pensioners pay half of the additional contribution, according to experts from the consumer center. The other half is covered by the employer or the pension insurance provider. Those with voluntary insurance, such as the self-employed, pay the contribution and the share from the additional contribution themselves. For those with mandatory insurance, it is directly deducted from the salary. The respective provider covers the additional contribution for those with mandatory insurance who receive unemployment benefits I or II (ALG), social assistance, or basic security. Those insured through a spouse or family do not pay an additional contribution.⁵

What to Consider When Switching Health Insurance

Switching health insurance can be worthwhile–but there are some points to clarify in advance. If the previous insurance provider has already approved a service that has not yet started–such as a mother-child cure, orthodontic treatment, or psychotherapy–policyholders should check in advance whether the new provider will take over this commitment. Otherwise, there may be issues with continuing the treatment. Caution is also advised with loaned aids such as walkers or wheelchairs: The old insurance provider usually demands these back. It should therefore be organized early on that the new provider provides replacements in time.⁶

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A Switch Should Be Planned Early

Especially if there is a special right of termination. The termination always takes effect at the end of the second following month. For example, if you terminate at the end of July, you can be insured with the new provider from October.

After deciding on a new provider, an online application is usually sufficient. A separate termination letter is no longer necessary–the new provider handles the deregistration with the old one. If all requirements are met, policyholders receive confirmation and a new electronic health card. It is only important to inform the employer informally about the switch.

Conclusion

Switching statutory health insurance can be financially and service-wise beneficial–especially with rising additional contributions. It is important to thoroughly inform yourself in advance, compare services, and keep an eye on deadlines. Those who choose carefully not only save on contributions but may also benefit from a better range of services.

*with material from dpa