Overview

• The cabinet adopted the 2026 Social Insurance Calculation Regulation, lifting the statutory health insurance assessment ceiling to €5,812.50 per month (€69,750 per year) and the general pension ceiling to €8,450 per month from January 1, 2026.
• The insurance obligation threshold for health coverage will increase to €6,450 per month, setting a higher income level before employees can opt for private insurance.
• The Labour Ministry says the update follows the legal formula linked to 2024 average wage growth of about 5.16 percent, and the Bundestag does not need to approve the regulation.
• Statutory health insurers warn of likely increases in supplementary contributions early in 2026, citing ongoing deficits that could add to the higher assessed contributions.
• Opposition figures from the Union criticized the move as burdensome for employees and employers, while the ministry noted that only those earning above the current ceilings will pay more; media estimates suggest roughly 2.1 million are affected on pension contributions and about 5.5 million on health and care.