Health · Healthcare & Policy · 11 hrs ago
Millions of privately insured people in Germany face higher premiums in 2027
From January 2027, about 53% of privately insured people in Germany will pay more for their health coverage.
That is around 4.66 million people, and the average increase among those affected is 13.4%.
The size of the increase varies by insurer: Debeka says about 700,000 of its customers will face an average rise of 6.7%.
Insurers say rising health-care costs are driving the increases, especially spending on hospital care and medicines.
Private health insurance covers people outside Germany’s public system, and the premium changes will affect many of them.
The new premiums are due to take effect at the start of 2027.
About 53 percent of Germany’s fully privately insured people are due to face higher health insurance premiums from January 2027.
For those affected, premiums will rise by an average of 13.4 percent.
The Association of Private Health Insurance said rising health-care costs are driving the increases.
Hospital treatment and medicines were among the areas where insurers’ costs rose most.
Debeka said about 700,000 of its customers would face increases averaging 6.7 percent.
- Who
- Privately insured people in Germany, including customers of private health insurers.
- What
- About 53 percent of fully insured people are due to pay higher premiums, averaging a 13.4 percent increase for those affected.
- When
- From January 2027.
- Where
- Germany.
- Why
- Insurers face rising health-care costs, including higher costs for hospital treatment and medicines.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Private health and long-term care insurers spent 42.1 billion euros on benefits, 7.2 percent more than in the year before.
Premium increases are due to take effect for about 53 percent of fully privately insured people.
- Affected share
- About 53 percent of fully insured people
- Average increase
- 13.4 percent for those affected
- People facing higher costs
- 4.66 million insured people
- Debeka customers facing increases
- About 700,000, with an average increase of 6.7 percent
- Insurers’ benefit spending
- 42.1 billion euros in the previous year, up 7.2 percent
3 sources
What people are saying
The premium adjustment is noticeable for many insured people.
Comprehensive benefits and participation in medical progress have their price.