Maximum rate: The Steady Increase of Public Health Insurance Premiums in Germany
Public health insurance (GKV) premiums are calculated as a percentage of an individual’s income up to the premium assessment ceiling – currently set at €62,100 per year. However, this is not related to the treshold. The current contribution rate is 14.6% plus an average provider surcharge of 1.70%.
The maximum rate for public health insurance lies therefore at €1,050.53 per month. These figures include the provider surcharge which is 1.70% and the long-term nursing-care contribution.
The maximum rate for public health insurance has risen by 46 percent in the last 10 years. Since 2010 even by 64 percent!
Future Challenges: Projected Increases in Health Insurance Costs and Their Impact on the Self-Employed
The contribution rates and the premium assessment ceiling are widely expected to rise again drastically in the future, due in part to the impact of the cost of caring for a rapidly aging population.
These sharp rises are particularly significant for self-employed people, who have to cover the full cost of health insurance themselves – unlike employees, who can have up to 50% of their premiums covered by their employer.