Health in Germany: the newcomer's starter pack (2026)
Krankenkasse choice, your first doctor visit, calling in sick the legal way, and GKV vs PKV — the four things every newcomer must get right.
German healthcare is excellent — once you know the four moves
Pick the right Kasse, register with a Hausarzt, learn the Krankmeldung ritual, and understand why (almost) nobody should rush into private insurance. This hub walks you through all four.
Move 1 — Pick your Krankenkasse deliberately
Every open gesetzliche Krankenkasse must accept you (Kontrahierungszwang) and covers ~95 % identical benefits by law (§11 SGB V). What differs is the Zusatzbeitrag — in 2026 it ranges from 2.18 % to 4.39 % — and whether anyone there speaks English.
Use the Krankenkasse chooser to see your true monthly cost per Kasse from your gross salary — all 15 encoded rates verified against the official GKV-Spitzenverband list (Stand 19.07.2026), with English-service scores for each.
Already insured and your Kasse raised its Zusatzbeitrag? Every increase triggers a Sonderkündigungsrecht (§175 Abs. 4 SGB V): the 12-month binding period is waived and you can switch with 2 months' notice. The new Kasse handles the cancellation for you.
Move 2 — Your first doctor visit
Germany runs on the Hausarzt (GP) system: you register with a local practice, they handle everything routine and refer you onward with an Überweisung. The ritual — finding a practice that accepts new patients, what to bring, what happens at reception — is covered step by step in Your first doctor visit.
Want to survive the appointment in German? Practice the vocabulary interactively in the Arztpraxis learning world.
Move 3 — Calling in sick, the legal way
Germany is generous when you're ill — 6 weeks of full pay from your employer, then Krankengeld from your Kasse — but only if you follow the Krankmeldung + AU procedure exactly. The rules (when to call, when the certificate is due, how the electronic eAU works) are in Krankmeldung & AU explained.
Move 4 — GKV vs PKV: don't get sold
Above the 2026 Versicherungspflichtgrenze of €77,400/year you may switch to private insurance — and brokers will chase you. For most newcomers, especially single-earner families, GKV's free family insurance (§10 SGB V) beats any PKV quote, and coming back to GKV later is hard. The honest breakdown: GKV vs PKV basics.
14.6 %
General KV rate (§241 SGB V), split 50/50 with your employer
2.9 %
Average Zusatzbeitrag 2026 (also split 50/50)
€69,750
Beitragsbemessungsgrenze 2026 — income above this isn't charged
€0
What your spouse + kids pay in GKV family insurance
Last updated: 2026-07-19