Vaccination add-on: avoid costs and ensure optimal protection
01.06.25
5
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Many vaccinations, especially for long-distance travel, can quickly cost several hundred euros, which are not always covered by statutory health insurance (GKV). Vaccination cost supplementary insurance protects you from unexpected expenses. Find out how you can optimise your vaccination cover and save money.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Routine vaccinations are usually covered by statutory health insurance, while travel vaccinations and special vaccinations are often only provided as a voluntary benefit under the scheme’s statutes, or not at all.
A supplementary vaccination cost insurance policy can cover the costs of vaccinations not covered by statutory health insurance, especially travel vaccinations, and help avoid high one-off expenses.
The costs of individual travel vaccinations can range from €30 to over €100 per dose; often several doses are necessary.
Understanding vaccine cost coverage: The basics for insured persons
The Standing Vaccination Commission (STIKO) issues recommendations for necessary vaccinations in Germany. Statutory health insurers (GKV) generally cover the costs of these standard vaccinations recommended by the STIKO in accordance with Section 20i SGB V. For children and young people up to the age of 18, these vaccinations are usually free of co-payments. However, the situation is different for travel vaccinations for private holidays; here, cost coverage is often a voluntary benefit under the insurer’s articles of association. This means that, without an additional vaccination cost supplement, costs of more than one hundred euros per vaccination can quickly arise. The exact regulations vary considerably between individual health insurers, which makes early clarification essential.
Travel vaccinations: identifying cost factors and statutory health insurance benefit limits
Travel vaccinations are a common reason for out-of-pocket costs, as they are not included in the standard benefits catalogue of statutory health insurance funds (GKV). The cost of a single travel vaccination such as hepatitis A can, for example, amount to around 67 euros, while rabies can cost about 70 euros per dose, with several doses often required for full protection. A yellow fever vaccination can cost around 59 euros. Some statutory health insurers, such as BARMER or hkk, do reimburse many travel vaccinations at 100 per cent if they are recommended by the STIKO and the Federal Foreign Office. Many other insurers, however, only cover these costs partially or as a voluntary benefit up to a certain maximum amount, for example 300 euros per year. It is therefore crucial to check the exact conditions with your insurer at least six weeks before travelling. A travel vaccination cost supplementary insurance policy can be very useful here.
The following travel vaccinations are often required and incur costs:
Cholera: around 63 euros per dose
TBE (tick-borne encephalitis): around 44 euros per dose
Yellow fever: around 59 euros per vaccination
Hepatitis A and B: around 53 to 67 euros per dose each
Japanese encephalitis: around 90 euros per dose
Rabies: around 70 euros per dose
Typhoid: around 30 euros per dose
These costs illustrate the potential savings offered by suitable supplementary insurance.
Vaccination supplementary insurance: maximise financial relief and benefit coverage
An additional insurance for vaccination costs, often part of an outpatient supplementary insurance policy, closes the gap created by the limited cost coverage provided by the statutory health insurance (GKV). Such insurance policies typically reimburse costs for vaccinations not covered by the GKV, particularly travel vaccinations such as against hepatitis A or typhoid. Providers such as AXA, for example, cover eighty per cent of the costs for preventive measures and vaccinations up to a maximum of 2,000 euros over two years. The monthly premium for such cover can start at around twelve euros. This is often cheaper than the cost of just one or two unreimbursed vaccination series. When taking out a private supplementary insurance, you should pay attention to the exact benefits included and any waiting periods. Some tariffs also cover vaccinations that go beyond the STIKO recommendations or are intended for non-risk groups. This gives you comprehensive protection in the areas of health and care.
Expert knowledge on vaccination costs: Navigating legal foundations and STIKO recommendations
The legal basis for the reimbursement of preventive vaccinations by statutory health insurance (GKV) is Section 20i of Book Five of the Social Code (SGB V). This section stipulates that insured persons are entitled to preventive vaccinations, the details of which are set by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) in the Vaccination Directive (SI-RL) on the basis of STIKO recommendations. The STIKO recommendations cover standard vaccinations, indication-based vaccinations (for risk groups) and vaccinations for occupational risk. Important: If the G-BA does not follow up a new STIKO recommendation within two months, the statutory health insurers must initially bear the costs. However, this usually does not apply to private travel vaccinations; in such cases, insurers often only cover benefits provided for in their rules. Our expert tip: check your health insurer’s rules carefully or consider infection daily allowance insurance, which may also cover side effects of vaccination. The cost of a single vaccine dose can, as with Bexsero against meningococcal B, exceed one hundred euros.
STIKO recommends vaccinations against, among others:
Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio – as standard for everyone.
Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) – for children and, where applicable, adults.
Influenza (flu) – annually for risk groups and older people (often covered by insurers for everyone).
Pneumococci – for infants, older people and risk groups.
Hepatitis B – for infants, adolescents and risk groups.
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) – for girls and boys between nine and fourteen years of age.
Tick-borne encephalitis (FSME) – for people in risk areas.
Varicella (chickenpox) – for children and certain adults.
The exact and up-to-date recommendations can always be found at the Robert Koch Institute.
Choosing the right cover: tips for the right vaccination cost supplement
When choosing a vaccination cost supplemental insurance policy, you should consider several factors to find the best cover for your needs. Pay attention to the annual or multi-year reimbursement limit; €2,000 every two years is a good guideline. Clarify whether all vaccinations recommended by the STIKO for travel are covered and whether medical consultation costs for vaccinations are also reimbursed. Some tariffs reimburse one hundred percent of the costs, while others reimburse a certain percentage, such as eighty percent. Also check whether there are waiting periods before benefits can be claimed; three months is often standard. Another important point is whether the insurance also covers vaccinations for children or the whole family, and whether it can be combined with other supplementary benefits, such as a private health insurance policy, for certain areas. Compare offers carefully, as premiums can start at less than fifteen euros per month. Remember that a good health insurance policy should offer more than just standard benefits.
Statutory health insurance vs. supplementary cover: a cost-benefit comparison for vaccinations
The statutory health insurance (GKV) offers solid basic cover, particularly for standard vaccinations recommended by the STIKO, which are usually completely free of charge. However, travel vaccinations or specific indication vaccinations, which do not fall under standard care, can quickly result in costs of several hundred euros per person. A family with two children planning a long-distance trip can easily be faced with vaccination costs of €500 to more than €1,000. A vaccination cost supplementary insurance policy for, for example, twelve to twenty euros per month and person can significantly reduce this financial burden. Over a period of two years, you may pay €288 to €480 in premiums, but could receive reimbursement for up to €2,000 in vaccination costs. This shows that such additional cover often pays off after just one larger trip or for people who frequently need vaccinations not covered under standard benefits. It is a balance between the guaranteed monthly costs and the potential risk of high one-off expenses. For people who value comprehensive protection, voluntary health insurance with corresponding supplementary modules is a worthwhile option.
Request your personalised risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation checked free of charge and receive concrete suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
The Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) provides guidelines on healthcare services that form the basis for reimbursement of vaccinations.
The Federal Ministry of Health provides comprehensive information on vaccinations and prevention in Germany.
The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) provides detailed tables on healthcare expenditure by type of service, which can offer insights into the financing of vaccinations.
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) provides information on vaccinations and their billing within statutory health insurance.
The German Society for Immunology (DGfI) answers frequently asked questions about vaccinations from a scientific perspective.
The Consumer Advice Centre provides useful information on preventive examinations and rights in the area of health insurance, which may also affect vaccinations.
The AOK website provides information on various vaccinations and the associated benefits for its insured members.
The World Health Organization (WHO) provides a detailed vaccination profile for Germany, offering global perspectives on vaccination strategies.
FAQ
What exactly is a vaccination cost supplement?
A vaccination cost supplement is usually a private supplementary insurance policy that covers the costs of preventive vaccinations that are not covered, or are only partly covered, by statutory health insurance (GKV). This often applies to travel vaccinations or vaccinations outside the STIKO standard recommendations for certain age or risk groups.
Does my statutory health insurance cover the cost of flu vaccinations?
Many statutory health insurance funds cover the cost of the flu vaccination, often also for people who do not belong to the risk groups defined by the STIKO. BARMER, for example, reimburses the flu vaccination for all insured persons. It is advisable to check this with your specific health insurer.
Are vaccinations covered for business-related travel?
Yes, if travel vaccinations are necessary because of a stay abroad related to work or training, there is an entitlement to cost coverage by the statutory health insurance (GKV), provided this is specified in the Vaccination Directive on the basis of STIKO recommendations. Alternatively, the employer is often liable for the costs.
What documents do I need to claim reimbursement for vaccinations?
For reimbursement, you usually submit the doctor’s original invoice and the prescription or the pharmacy invoice for the vaccine to your health insurance provider or supplementary insurance. Some insurers, such as hkk, also make this possible online or via an app.
Are there maximum limits for reimbursement of vaccination costs?
Yes, both for voluntary benefits provided by statutory health insurance (GKV) and for supplementary insurance, there are often annual or multi-year maximum limits for reimbursement. These may, for example, be €300 per year (for some GKVs) or €2,000 over two years (for supplementary insurance).
Does a standard travel health insurance policy also cover vaccination costs before the trip?
A standard travel health insurance policy generally covers medically necessary treatment during the trip, but not the cost of vaccinations carried out before the trip as a preventive measure. That is covered by vaccination cost supplementary insurance or a statutory health insurance benefit.
