Bisex or unisex tariff: is switching worth it in German private health insurance?
In short
Switching from a bisex to a unisex tariff in German private health insurance is mostly worth it for women, whose bisex premium was often much higher. For men unisex is often more expensive, or the gain is small. Keep in mind: the switch works one way only, going back to bisex is ruled out by law. And you lose the standard tariff, capped at 848.62 euros a month in 2026.
Values from German law and the private health insurance association, as of October 2026.
Example
Typical range
Maximum premium standard tariff 2026
848.62 euros a month
Maximum premium standard tariff 2025
804.82 euros a month
Cut-off date for unisex in all new tariffs
21 December 2012
Saving from an internal tariff switch in general
often 10 to 30 percent
Whether unisex is cheaper for you can only be calculated with your insurer's tariffs.
The saving range is a published average, not a promise for your policy.
Worked example
Married couple, both 52, in the same bisex tariff since 2008
Assumed premiums for comparable benefits with the same insurer.
She, bisex tariff
760 euros a month
She, unisex tariff
650 euros a month
He, bisex tariff
590 euros a month
He, unisex tariff
650 euros a month
For her the switch saves 110 euros a month but costs access to the standard tariff. He stays in bisex. She should first check whether another bisex tariff with a higher deductible saves a similar amount.
What separates bisex and unisex
In a bisex tariff the insurer prices in your sex. In German private health insurance this made tariffs for women considerably more expensive. Since 21 December 2012 new tariffs may no longer take sex into account, so men and women with otherwise equal features pay the same.
If you were insured before that date, you stayed in your bisex tariff. These tariffs continue but no longer take new customers.
Who gains from switching to unisex
Women usually pay more in bisex tariffs. For them a unisex tariff with comparable benefits at the same insurer can be noticeably cheaper. Men often have the cheaper premium in bisex and tend to lose by switching.
Beyond sex, the benefits and calculation of each tariff matter. So it is no automatic decision: ask for a written comparison of premium and benefits for old and new tariffs.
Situation
Tendency
Woman in a bisex tariff, comparable unisex tariff available
check switching, often cheaper
Man in a bisex tariff
usually stay, compare within bisex tariffs only
Over 55 with a small pension ahead
keep bisex for access to the standard tariff
Want a unisex tariff with clearly better benefits
possible, extra benefits with health check
There is no way back
The tariff switch right in section 204 of the Insurance Contract Act expressly excludes moving from a tariff calculated regardless of sex into one calculated by sex. Once in unisex, you stay there.
So before switching, check the other bisex tariffs of your insurer. There are often cheaper variants, for example with a higher deductible, without leaving the bisex pool.
Standard tariff: the safety net unisex closes
The standard tariff is a bisex tariff with a premium capped by law. It is only open to people who joined private health insurance before 2009. If you moved from an old bisex tariff into unisex, you lose access, and anyone insured privately only since 2009 has no access anyway.
For people expecting a small pension this is a real loss. In 2026 the standard tariff may cost at most 848.62 euros a month. A unisex tariff that is cheaper today can exceed that later.
Step by step
Ask your insurer for all bisex and unisex tariffs with comparable cover for your age.
Get premiums and benefits compared in writing.
Check cheaper bisex variants first.
Weigh how important the standard tariff is for your later years.
Only then apply to switch to unisex, knowing it is final.
Checklist
Bisex and unisex premium for the same benefits known
Other bisex tariffs of the insurer checked
Effect on the standard tariff understood
Extra benefits and health check clarified
Switch confirmed in writing with credited ageing reserves
Common mistakes
Switching to unisex as a man because the tariff sounds newer
Giving up the standard tariff safety net without noticing
Asking only for unisex and missing cheaper bisex tariffs
Believing you can go back later
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Can I go back from unisex to bisex?
No.
Section 204 VVG expressly rules this out.
Are bisex tariffs being abolished?
No, they continue for existing customers.
They have not taken new customers since 21 December 2012.
Is switching worth it for men?
Usually not, because men are generally rated cheaper in bisex tariffs.
Still compare the actual figures, tariffs differ a lot.
Do I need a health check?
Only if the new tariff offers more.
For the extra the insurer may ask for a loading, waiting period or exclusion.
I joined after 2012. Does this concern me?
No.
All contracts since 21 December 2012 are unisex, so there is nothing to switch.
