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Can I take out supplementary health insurance for an unborn child in Germany?

In short

Can I take out supplementary health insurance for an unborn child in Germany? Not directly, cover for your child can start at birth at the earliest. But you can prepare: if you hold supplementary health insurance yourself, the insurer must accept your baby without surcharge or waiting time if you register it within two months of the birth. You may be required to have been insured for up to three months.

Can I take out supplementary health insurance for an unborn child in Germany?

What it costs

Costs of hospital extras and the deadlines that apply.

ExampleTypical range
Single room per night, self paidon average about 89 to 134 euros
Double room per night, self paidon average about 43 to 72 euros
Registration deadline for the newborn2 months after birth
Maximum prior insurance period3 months
Child tariff for hospital or dentaloften about 5 to 20 euros a month

Room prices from PKV association surveys.

The child premium is a guide value from quoting practice, October 2026.

Worked example

Birth in March, mother signs in October

A woman takes out a hospital supplement in October, the baby arrives in March.

Mother insured at birthabout five months, more than three
Register babyby end of May
Health questions for the babynone
Baby coversame as the mother tariff, from birth

The baby is covered from the day of birth, even if premature.

Why an unborn child cannot get its own policy

German law ties the admission of a baby to the day of birth. Before that you cannot insure your unborn child, but you can secure its place.

The key is your own policy. If a parent holds health insurance on the day of birth, the insurer must accept the newborn without health questions (section 198 of the Insurance Contract Act, VVG), even if the child is born ill or premature.

WhenWhat you can do
Before pregnancytake out your own supplement, waiting times run
During pregnancytake out your own policy if accepted; the current pregnancy is often excluded
Day of birthyour policy must exist
Up to two months after birthregister the child without health check
Laterhealth questions, surcharge or refusal possible

Conditions for adding the newborn

The insurer may require you to have been insured for a minimum period of up to three months. Sign at least three months before the due date, ideally earlier.

The child gets at most the same cover as you. If you only have a dental tariff, the child can only get that without a check.

What public health insurance already pays

If you are in public health insurance, your child is usually covered free of charge as a family member (Familienversicherung). A supplement is for extras such as a single room, chief physician, braces or glasses. A single room costs about 89 to 134 euros per night on average if you pay yourself.

Step by step

  1. Take out your own supplement, ideally before pregnancy.
  2. Check the required prior insurance period in the terms.
  3. Note the due date and the two month deadline.
  4. Register the child in writing after birth.
  5. Do not request more cover for the child than you have.

Checklist

  • Own policy in force on the day of birth
  • Prior insurance period met
  • Registration within two months
  • Child tariff not higher than your own

Common mistakes

  • Missing the two month deadline
  • Applying only during pregnancy and being refused
  • Wanting more cover for the child than you have

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Can I apply for my child before the birth?

Cover starts at birth at the earliest.

What matters is that your own policy exists then.

Does this apply to dental supplements?

Yes, to health insurance including supplements, within the scope of your own cover.

What if my baby is born ill?

If registered in time, no surcharge or waiting time may be charged.

Does this also apply to adoption?

Yes, for minors.

A surcharge up to the normal premium is allowed for higher risk.

Sources

NAMMERT insurance broker

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Supplementary health insurance in Germany

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Related questions

Your broker: Norman Nammert, trading as NAMMERT.

Insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act.

Broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37.

NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH is a separate company.

It does not arrange your contract.

Statutory disclosure (German) · Updated

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