Health · Healthcare & Policy · 9 hrs ago
German private health insurance premiums set to rise for 53% of members
Germany’s private health insurance association expects premiums to rise for 53 percent of members in 2027.
The average increase is forecast at 13.4 percent, with a larger average rise for members who are not eligible for state assistance.
Higher spending on medicines and hospital care is driving the increases, as insurers paid more for both in 2025.
Private insurers can adjust premiums only when costs rise well beyond their forecasts, which can mean several years of small changes followed by a sharp increase.
Members can ask their insurer about switching to another tariff with similar or lower benefits, and experts advise against rushing to change insurers.
People over 60 must be pointed to cheaper options in their insurer’s premium notice.
Insurers are expected to inform members about adjustments in the coming weeks, though individual increases may differ from the forecast averages.
Private health insurance premiums in Germany are expected to rise for 53% of fully insured members in 2027.
The private health insurance association forecasts an average increase of 13.4% for those affected.
Average increases are projected at 11.4% for members eligible for government assistance and 15.3% for other members.
The association attributes the increases to rising costs for medical services, especially medicines and hospital treatment.
Insured people can ask their insurer about switching to another tariff, including one with lower benefits.
- Who
- The private health insurance association expects increases for 53% of fully insured members.
- What
- Premiums are forecast to rise by an average of 13.4% among those affected.
- When
- In 2027.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- Insurers’ medical-service costs have risen, particularly for medicines and hospital treatment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Private health insurance premiums rose by an average of 18%, affecting around two-thirds of 8.7 million privately insured people.
Premiums rose by an average of 13% for around 60% of privately insured people.
The association forecasts that 53% of fully insured members will face higher premiums, averaging 13.4%.
- Affected in 2027
- 53% of fully insured members
- Average forecast increase
- 13.4%
- Members eligible for government assistance
- 11.4% average increase
- Other members
- 15.3% average increase
- Medicine costs in 2025
- Up 8%
- Hospital treatment costs in 2025
- Up 7.5%
What people are saying
The adjustments that private health insurance companies will announce in the coming weeks will be noticeable for many insured people.