Statutory health insurance supplementary contribution 2025: understanding costs, making use of savings potential
17.06.25
8
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The supplementary contribution to statutory health insurance will rise noticeably in 2025. Many insured people are asking what this means for their wallets and how they can respond. This article explains the background and gives you concrete recommendations for action.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The average additional contribution to statutory health insurance will rise to 2.5 per cent in 2025, with each insurer setting its rate individually.
If the supplementary contribution is increased, policyholders have a special right to cancel and can switch to a cheaper health insurer.
Employees and employers have each shared the additional contribution equally since 2019.
Supplementary contribution 2025: The key facts at a glance
The average additional contribution rate in statutory health insurance (GKV) has been set at 2.5 per cent for 2025. This represents an increase of 0.8 percentage points compared with the previous year, when it was still 1.7 per cent. However, each health insurance fund sets its own additional contribution based on its financial situation. The range of fund-specific additional contributions is expected to lie between 2.18 per cent and 4.4 per cent in 2025. For policyholders, this means that health insurance costs can vary considerably depending on the fund chosen. This development makes a comparison of health insurance funds even more important.
Practical check: How the additional contribution affects your wallet
The increase in the additional contribution has a direct impact on your net income. Let’s assume your gross income is 3,500 euros per month. With an average additional contribution of 2.5 per cent in 2025, you and your employer each pay 1.25 per cent. That corresponds to an additional monthly contribution of a total of 28 euros compared with an additional contribution of 1.7 per cent in 2024. Over the year, that is 336 euros more. Many insured persons underestimate this annual extra burden.
The calculation is based on your contributory income up to the contribution assessment ceiling. In 2025, this is 5,512.50 euros gross per month. If you earn more, the absolute contribution to health insurance does not increase any further. It is advisable to check the contribution amount carefully.
Here is an example list to illustrate the monthly extra costs for employees resulting from the increase in the average additional contribution by 0.8 percentage points:
At 2,000 euros gross income: 8 euros more per month.
At 3,000 euros gross income: 12 euros more per month.
At 4,000 euros gross income: 16 euros more per month.
At 5,512.50 euros (contribution assessment ceiling): 22.05 euros more per month.
These figures show how percentage changes directly affect your finances. A closer look at the options and, if applicable, supplementary health insurance may be worthwhile.
Expert knowledge: Legal foundations and current developments
The additional contribution was introduced to give health insurance funds more flexibility in financing their expenditure. The legal basis is Section 242 of the Fifth Book of the Social Code (SGB V). Accordingly, health insurance funds may levy an income-based additional contribution if the allocations from the Health Fund are not sufficient to cover projected expenditure. Since 1 January 2019, the additional contribution has been borne equally by employees and employers. Previously, policyholders had to shoulder it on their own.
An expert panel, the so-called estimators committee, assesses the financial development of the GKV each year and makes a recommendation on the level of the average additional contribution. The Federal Ministry of Health then officially sets it. For certain groups, such as trainees with earnings of up to 325 euros, this average rate is binding. The contribution assessment ceiling caps the income on which contributions are charged.
Our expert tip: If your health insurance fund increases the additional contribution, you have a special right of cancellation. You can then cancel your membership by the end of the month from which the increased contribution first applies, and switch to a cheaper fund. The cancellation period is usually two months to the end of the month. Checking the private supplementary insurance policies may also be an option.
Options available: How you can respond to rising supplementary contributions
Given the rising supplementary contributions, it is important to take action. The first and often most effective measure is to switch health insurance providers. With a gross monthly income of, for example, €4,000, switching from a fund with a supplementary contribution of 4.4 per cent to one with 2.18 per cent can mean annual savings of over €530 for the employee’s contribution. Many insured persons do not make use of their special right of cancellation when contributions increase.
The following steps will help you optimise your cover:
Check your current health insurer’s supplementary contribution.
Compare this with the offers from other insurers (a list can often be found online, e.g. at Krankenkassen.de ).
Do not look only at the contribution rate, but also at additional benefits that are relevant to you, such as subsidies for dental cleaning or bonus programmes.
Use your special right of cancellation if contributions increase.
Register with the new insurer; it will usually handle the cancellation with your previous insurer.
Bear in mind that a voluntary health insurance policy also offers options. We at nextsure will be happy to provide you with comprehensive advice on your individual situation.
The additional contribution and special life situations
The handling of the supplementary contribution has special features for different groups of people. For pensioners, for example, the supplementary contribution is also shared equally between them and the statutory pension insurance, based on their statutory pension. For other income, such as rental income, they pay the supplementary contribution on that alone. For self-employed people who are voluntarily insured under the statutory health insurance scheme, the following applies: they pay the entire contribution themselves, i.e. the general contribution rate of 14.0 or 14.6 per cent plus the full insurer-specific supplementary contribution. Here, the financial burden of a high supplementary contribution can be particularly significant.
Students pay a reduced contribution until completion of the 14th semester or until they reach the age of 30, to which the insurer-specific supplementary contribution is also added. Recipients of Bürgergeld or trainees with earnings of up to 325 euros usually pay only the average supplementary contribution. It is therefore important to know your own situation precisely in order to assess the costs correctly or to consider whether private health insurance for civil servants is an alternative.
Future outlook and final recommendations
The financing of statutory health insurance remains a challenge. Rising healthcare expenditure, driven by medical progress and an ageing population, suggests that pressure on contribution rates, including the supplementary contribution, will continue in the years ahead. Experts expect further adjustments. A proactive examination of your own insurance costs is therefore essential.
Our recommendation is therefore: review your health insurance situation regularly, at least once a year or when a premium increase is announced. Use comparison portals and pay attention to the overall package of contribution level and benefits offered. Information on how you can claim your health insurance contributions on your tax return is also useful.
Request an individual risk analysis now: have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive concrete optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
Information about financing statutory health insurance in Germany can be found at the GKV-Spitzenverband.
The GKV-Spitzenverband also provides important key figures and statistics on statutory health insurance.
The Federal Ministry of Health also offers comprehensive information on health insurance financing.
Current financial results and data on health insurance can also be viewed at the Federal Ministry of Health.
You can obtain a detailed overview of health insurance from the Federal Office for Social Security.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) publishes tables on healthcare expenditure, broken down by funding source.
The Consumer Advice Centre informs consumers about statutory health insurance and the options for a quick switch.
An article about possible benefit cuts in healthcare is available on the website of the Bundestag.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) provides information on negotiations in healthcare.
FAQ
What is the supplementary contribution to statutory health insurance?
The additional contribution is an individual, income-dependent contribution that statutory health insurance funds can levy in addition to the general contribution rate of 14.6 per cent to cover their funding shortfalls.
Why is the supplementary contribution increasing in 2025?
The additional contribution is rising due to growing funding gaps in the health insurance funds. The main reasons are rising expenditure on medical services, hospital treatment 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 monthly income of EUR 4,000, the difference between the most expensive health insurer and a low-cost one can amount to more than EUR 40 per month for employees.
Does the general contribution rate remain the same?
Yes, the standard contribution rate for statutory health insurance will remain stable at 14.6 per cent of your gross income in 2025 as well.
What is the contribution assessment ceiling?
The contribution assessment ceiling is the maximum income amount up to which contributions to statutory health insurance are calculated. In 2025, it is €66,150 per year or €5,512.50 per month.
Does the average additional contribution apply to everyone?
No, the average additional contribution is a statistical figure. It is only mandatory for certain groups of people, e.g. for trainees with earnings of up to EUR 325. Otherwise, each fund sets its own individual rate.
