Health & Care
Supplementary health insurance
Statutory health insurance additional contribution
Statutory Health Insurance Additional Contribution 2025: Understand Costs, Utilize Savings Potential
The supplementary contribution to statutory health insurance will noticeably increase in 2025. Many policyholders are wondering what this means for their wallets and how they can respond. This article explains the background and provides you with specific recommendations for action.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The average additional contribution to statutory health insurance will rise to 2.5 percent in 2025, with each fund setting its own rate individually.
In the event of an increase in the additional contribution, insured individuals have a special termination right and can switch to a more affordable health insurance.
Employees and employers have been sharing the additional contribution equally since 2019.
Additional Contribution 2025: An Overview of the Key Facts
The average additional contribution rate in statutory health insurance (GKV) has been set at 2.5 percent for the year 2025. This represents an increase of 0.8 percentage points compared to the previous year, when it was still 1.7 percent. However, each health insurance fund sets its own individual additional contribution based on its financial situation. The range of fund-specific additional contributions in 2025 is expected to be between 2.18 percent and 4.4 percent. For those insured, this means that the cost of health insurance can vary significantly depending on the chosen fund. This development makes a comparison of health insurance funds even more important.
Practice Check: How the additional contribution affects your wallet
The increase in the additional contribution directly impacts your net income. Let's assume your gross income is 3,500 euros per month. With an average additional contribution of 2.5 percent in 2025, you and your employer each pay 1.25 percent. This translates to an additional monthly contribution of 28 euros compared to an additional contribution of 1.7 percent in 2024. This amounts to 336 euros more per year. Many insured individuals underestimate this annual extra burden.
The calculation is based on your income subject to contributions up to the contribution assessment ceiling. This is set at 5,512.50 euros gross per month in 2025. If you earn more, the absolute contribution to health insurance does not increase further beyond this point. It is advisable to carefully check the contribution amount.
Here is an example list to illustrate the monthly additional costs for employees due to the increase in the average additional contribution by 0.8 percentage points:
For 2,000 euros gross income: 8 euros more per month.
For 3,000 euros gross income: 12 euros more per month.
For 4,000 euros gross income: 16 euros more per month.
For 5,512.50 euros (contribution assessment ceiling): 22.05 euros more per month.
These figures illustrate how percentage changes directly affect your finances. A close look at the offerings and potentially a supplementary health insurance might be wise.
Expert Knowledge: Legal Foundations and Current Developments
The additional contribution was introduced to provide health insurance funds with more flexibility in financing their expenditures. The legal basis is § 242 of the Social Code Book Five (SGB V). According to this, health insurance funds can levy an income-dependent additional contribution if allocations from the health fund are insufficient to cover forecasted expenses. Since 1 January 2019, the additional contribution has been shared equally by employees and employers. Previously, the insured had to bear it alone.
An expert panel, known as the estimation circle, annually assesses the financial development of the statutory health insurance and provides a recommendation for the average additional contribution rate. The Federal Ministry of Health then officially sets this. For certain groups of people, such as trainees with an income of up to 325 euros, this average rate is binding. The contribution assessment ceiling limits the income on which contributions can be levied.
Our expert tip: If your health insurance fund increases the additional contribution, you have a special right of termination. You can then cancel your membership up until the end of the month for which the increased contribution first applies and switch to a more affordable fund. The notice period is usually two months to the end of the month. Examining private supplementary insurance can also be an option.
Design Options: How You Can Respond to Rising Additional Contributions
In light of rising additional contributions, it is important to take action. The first and often most effective measure is changing your health insurance provider. With a gross income of, for example, 4,000 euros per month, switching from a provider with an additional contribution of 4.4 percent to one with 2.18 percent can result in annual savings of over 530 euros for the employee's contribution. Many insured individuals do not make use of their special cancellation right during contribution increases.
The following steps will help you optimize:
Check the current additional contribution of your health insurance provider.
Compare this with the offers of other providers (a list can often be found online, e.g., on Krankenkassen.de).
Don't just focus on the contribution but also on additional services that are relevant to you, such as subsidies for dental cleaning or bonus programs.
Use your special cancellation right in the event of a contribution increase.
Register with the new provider; they usually take care of cancelling your old insurance.
Remember that voluntary health insurance also offers options. For comprehensive advice on your individual situation, we at nextsure are happy to assist you.
Outlook for the Future and Final Recommendations
The financing of statutory health insurance remains a challenge. Rising healthcare costs, driven by medical advancements and an aging population, suggest that the pressure on contribution rates, including the additional contribution, will remain in the coming years. Experts anticipate further adjustments. A proactive approach to managing your insurance costs is therefore essential.
Our recommendation is: Regularly review, at least once a year or when notice of a rate increase is given, your health insurance situation. Use comparison portals and pay attention to the overall package of contribution levels and offered services. Information on how to claim your health insurance contributions in your tax return is also useful.
Request your individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked for free and receive concrete optimization suggestions.
More useful links
Information about the funding of statutory health insurance in Germany can be found at the GKV-Spitzenverband.
The GKV-Spitzenverband also provides important figures and statistics on statutory health insurance.
The Federal Ministry of Health offers comprehensive information on the financing of health insurance.
Current financial results and data on health insurance can also be viewed at the Federal Ministry of Health.
A detailed overview of health insurance is available from the Federal Office for Social Security.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) publishes tables on health expenditures, broken down by payer.
The Consumer Advice Centre informs consumers about statutory health insurance and the options for a quick change.
An article on possible benefit cuts in the healthcare sector is available on the Bundestag website.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) provides information on negotiations in the healthcare sector.
FAQ
What is the additional contribution of statutory health insurance?
The additional contribution is an individual, income-dependent amount that statutory health insurance funds can charge in addition to the standard contribution rate of 14.6 per cent to cover their financial gaps.
Why is the additional contribution increasing in 2025?
The additional contribution is increasing due to growing financial gaps in health insurance funds. The main reasons are rising expenses for medical services, hospital treatments, and medicines.
How much can I save by switching health insurance providers?
The potential savings depend on your income and the difference in additional contributions. With a gross income of 4,000 euros per month, the difference between the most expensive and a cheaper provider can amount to over 40 euros monthly for employees.
Is the general contribution rate staying the same?
Yes, the general contribution rate for statutory health insurance will remain stable at 14.6 per cent of your gross income in 2025.
What is the contribution assessment ceiling?
The contribution assessment ceiling is the maximum amount of income up to which contributions to statutory health insurance are calculated. In 2025, it is 66,150 euros annually or 5,512.50 euros monthly.
Does the average additional contribution apply to everyone?
No, the average additional contribution is a statistical value. It is only binding for certain groups, such as trainees with earnings up to 325 euros. Otherwise, each fund sets its own individual rate.
