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Does German private health insurance pay for glasses?

In short

Does German private health insurance pay for glasses? Yes, glasses and contact lenses are part of private cover regardless of how weak your eyesight is. Your tariff sets caps, for example EUR 150, 250 or 500, and periods of one to three years. Public insurance only pays adults for lenses above 6 dioptres and never for the frame.

Does German private health insurance pay for glasses?

What it costs

Typical figures for visual aids in private and public insurance.

ExampleTypical range
Cap for visual aids in private tariffs, examplesEUR 150, 250 or 500
Period for new glassesyearly to every 3 years
Public insurance co-payment where entitled10 percent, at least EUR 5 and at most EUR 10
New public lenses for children up to 14after a change of at least 0.5 dioptres

As of October 2026.

Figures from the PKV association and the consumer advice centre.

Your exact amounts are in your tariff terms.

Worked example

Varifocal glasses for EUR 700

In this assumed case the tariff pays up to EUR 300 every two years for visual aids.

Optician's billEUR 700
Refund up to the capEUR 300
Your shareEUR 400
Next refundin two years at the earliest

Private insurance carries EUR 300, you pay the rest. For cheaper glasses the cap often covers everything.

What German private health insurance pays for glasses

For private insurers, glasses are a medical aid with a capped refund. Unlike public insurance, the strength of your prescription does not matter; mild short sightedness is enough.

Your tariff sets the maximum amount and how often it pays. Visual aids are often listed separately from other medical aids in your documents. Check whether the cap covers lenses and frame together.

Glasses in private and public insurance

For glasses the difference to public insurance is large, especially for adults with normal short or long sightedness.

SituationPrivate health insurancePublic health insurance
Adults, mild short sightednessup to the tariff capnothing
Adults, above 6 dioptresup to the tariff capcontractually agreed amount for lenses
Children and teenagers under 18up to the tariff caplenses under the optician contract
Framewithin the cap, depending on tariffnever
Contact lensesgenerally part of coveronly in exceptional cases

When glasses are not refunded

Private insurance only pays for what is medically necessary. A second pair for special occasions usually does not qualify. If the cap for the current period is used up, the next glasses are only paid after the period ends.

Computer glasses for work are part of occupational safety, so ask your employer first.

Glasses and premium refunds

Many tariffs refund part of your premiums if you claim nothing in a year (Beitragsrückerstattung). Claiming EUR 200 for glasses can cost you that refund.

So do the maths first: if the possible premium refund is higher than the glasses refund, pay for the glasses yourself. You may collect bills and decide later.

If your tariff pays too little for glasses

An existing tariff cannot be extended afterwards. More money for glasses only comes through a tariff switch with your own insurer, and for extra benefits it may require a health check.

Switching only because of glasses rarely pays off; together with better dental or medical aid benefits it may.

Step by step

  1. Read your tariff terms on visual aids: cap and period.
  2. Get a medical prescription.
  3. For expensive glasses, submit a cost estimate first.
  4. Compare with a possible premium refund.
  5. Submit the bill together with the prescription.

Checklist

  • Cap for visual aids known
  • Period since last refund expired
  • Prescription available
  • Premium refund compared
  • Bill and prescription together

Common mistakes

  • Submitting the bill without a prescription
  • Giving up the premium refund for EUR 150 glasses
  • Claiming a second pair for special occasions
  • Assuming private insurance, like public, only pays above 6 dioptres

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Do I need a prescription from an eye doctor?

Private insurers require a medical prescription,

in some tariffs a non-medical practitioner is enough.

Check your terms.

Does private insurance pay for contact lenses?

Yes, they are generally covered, up to your tariff caps.

Is there a co-payment like in public insurance?

The statutory co-payment only applies in public insurance.

In private insurance the cap and any agreed deductible count.

What applies to children?

Children have their own tariff; its terms set the cap and period.

Can I increase the amount for glasses?

Only through a tariff switch with your insurer.

Extra benefits may need a health check.

Sources

NAMMERT insurance broker

Request a quote: Private health insurance

We compare insurers and come back to you, in English.

Free; the insurer pays our fee.

1Who is it for?
2Which insurance?

Choose as many as you like. For each one, the details an insurer needs for a quote appear below.

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3Details

Private health insurance in Germany (PKV)

For employees this decides whether private cover is possible

Keywords are enough, including treatment abroad.

We clarify this anonymously before any application.

4Your current policy
5How can we reach you?

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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