Many health insurance companies will increase contributions from 2025 – and probably more than expected. Consumers incur additional costs. Experts are sounding the alarm.
Frankfurt – Many Germans will have less of their income left in 2025. The reason: Many health insurance companies are not in a good financial position. They increase their contributions at the turn of the year.
Reserves depleted: health insurance companies will demand higher contributions from 2025
In the coming days they want to announce what the increases will actually be. A group of estimators commissioned by the federal government had already calculated that the contribution would increase by an average of 0.8 percent. The Federal Office for Social Security reported this in October. As is now suspected, this increase is not enough for many health insurance companies. They could charge far more money.
Specifically, the increase is based on the increase in the additional contribution. Health insurance companies charge these in addition to the general contribution rate (14.6 percent) in order to cover their other financial needs. Most recently, this averaged 1.7 percent. Now it could rise to 2.5 percent or more.
Many health insurance companies are currently having problems complying with the statutory minimum reserve. This amounts to 20 percent of one month's expenses. Like the chairwoman of the AOK federal association, Carola Reimann Augsburger Allgemeine I said that politicians have “melted down cash reserves in recent years and abolished more and more instruments for controlling expenditure”. At the same time, expenses would increase – which many health insurance companies cannot compensate for.
Additional costs with higher contributions: This is what insured people will pay in 2025
For consumers, the increase in premiums means considerable additional costs. On average, these amount to over a hundred euros per year – even if the employer covers half of the health insurance costs.
A simple calculation makes this clear: Employees with a gross income of 3,000 euros would have to give up 256.50 euros per month if the rate increases as expected. With the previous average contribution rate it was 244.50 euros. The additional costs for that income are also twelve euros per month. The increase in contributions also has corresponding consequences for pensioners.
The table shows the concrete impact of the increased contributions. The calculations are based on the average value calculated for 2025. Not all health insurance companies charge the same amount. The “Knackschaft” health insurance company, for example, already announced in a statement that it would increase the additional contribution to 4.4 percent. It is currently the cost leader.
Gross income | Contribution 2024 (average) | Contribution 2025 (vs. average) |
1000 euros | 81.5 euros | 85.50 euros |
2000 euros | 163 euros | 171 euros |
3000 euros | 244.50 euros | 256.50 euros |
4000 euros | 326 euros | 342 euros |
Insured people “to their limits”: Experts are critical of health insurance premium increases
“With the upcoming premium increases, the financial resilience of insured persons and employers is increasingly being pushed to its limits,” said Doris Pfeiffer Augsburger Allgemeine. She is chairwoman of the umbrella association for statutory health insurance.
What is left for consumers? Change quickly. If you have expensive health insurance, you may be able to find a cheaper one whose services you are satisfied with. However, there are a few things to consider when switching health insurance companies. (Laboratory)