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Germany Raises 2026 Social Insurance Thresholds as Private Health Premiums Jump 13%

Rising medical spending drives sharp private premium adjustments that strain retirees with few routes back to statutory coverage.

Overview

  • From January 1, 2026, the contribution assessment ceilings rise to €5,812.50 per month for statutory health and long‑term care insurance and €8,450 per month for pensions, with the compulsory insurance threshold set at €77,400 per year and a special €69,750 level for those privately insured at the end of 2002.
  • The private insurers' association says about 60% of customers will face premium hikes at the turn of the year, averaging roughly 13% across affected tariffs.
  • Allianz (about 11%), Gothaer (about 12.7%), Barmenia (about 11.6%) and HanseMerkur (13%) have confirmed increases tied to sustained growth in medical benefit costs.
  • Many retirees in private insurance receive only a partial pension subsidy toward premiums, leaving out‑of‑pocket payments ranging from several hundred euros to over €1,000 per month.
  • Older policyholders face steep hurdles returning to statutory insurance, and unpaid private premiums can lead to debt and transfer to a limited emergency tariff, while statutory funds also warn of a higher average additional contribution of at least 2.9%.