Health · Healthcare & Policy · 3 hrs ago
Average German health insurance surcharge can remain stable in 2027
Germany's health minister says the average health insurance surcharge can stay unchanged in 2027.
The estimate for statutory health insurance puts the average additional charge at 2.9%, the same as the 2026 figure.
A government law is expected to cut insurers' costs by up to €15 billion next year, helping limit the rise in spending.
The surcharge is added to the regular contribution, and each insurer sets its own actual rate.
The average figure is only a calculation, so it does not guarantee that people’s contributions will stay the same.
The health insurance system's finances remain under pressure, Linnemann said, despite the expected savings.
He said Germany still needs to address structural problems and put the system's funding on a lasting, sound basis.
Germany’s health minister says the average statutory health insurance surcharge can remain unchanged in 2027.
The GKV estimates put the calculated average surcharge at 2.9 percent, unchanged from 2026.
The government’s cost-stabilisation law is expected to reduce insurers’ spending by up to €15 billion next year.
The health insurance system’s finances remain under pressure, Linnemann said.
Each insurer sets its own surcharge, so actual charges may still rise.
- Who
- German Health Minister Carsten Linnemann and the GKV estimate group.
- What
- The calculated average statutory health insurance surcharge can remain at 2.9 percent in 2027.
- When
- The forecast was reported on October 14, 2026, for 2027.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- Insurers’ spending is expected to rise less next year, partly because of the cost-stabilisation law, which is expected to provide up to €15 billion in spending relief.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The GKV estimate group met to discuss health insurers’ finances.
The estimate group reported a calculated average surcharge of 2.9 percent for 2027.
- Calculated average surcharge
- 2.9 percent in 2027
- Spending relief
- Up to €15 billion in 2027
- General contribution rate
- 14.6 percent of gross wages
- Insured people
- 74 million across around 90 statutory health insurers
9 sources
Gesundheitsministerium - Krankenkassen-Beiträge sollen stabil bleiben
Krankenkassen-Beiträge sollen 2027 stabil bleiben
Krankenversicherung: Krankenkassen-Beiträge sollen 2027 stabil bleiben
finanzPrognose: Krankenkassenbeiträge können 2027 stabil bleiben
Krankenversicherung: Zusatzbeitrag kann 2027 stabil bleiben
Durchschnittlich bei 2,9 Prozent: Linnemann rechnet 2027 mit stabilem Krankenkassen-Zusatzbeitrag
Sozialbeiträge: Gesundheitsminister will sinkende Krankenkassenbeiträge erreichen
What people are saying
Nach wiederholten Beitragserhöhungen ist das ein gutes Zeichen.
Auch mittelfristig müssen die Beiträge stabil bleiben, ja sinken.