Does German private health insurance pay for psychotherapy?
In short
Does German private health insurance pay for psychotherapy? Usually yes, typically for about 50 sessions a year. Some tariffs require approval after five trial sessions or 20 hours. One session of behavioural therapy costs EUR 100.55 at the usual 2.3 times rate of the fee schedule. Older tariffs sometimes pay much less, so check your terms.
Psychotherapy fees under the German medical fee schedule.
Example
Typical range
Behavioural therapy, at least 50 minutes, GOÄ no. 870, 2.3 times
EUR 100.55 per session
Depth psychological therapy, GOÄ no. 861, 2.3 times
EUR 92.50 per session
Behavioural therapy, single rate
EUR 43.72 per session
50 sessions of behavioural therapy a year
about EUR 5,028
Fees under the GOÄ with a point value of 5.82873 cents, as of October 2026.
Refunds depend on your tariff; scope according to the PKV association.
Worked example
25 sessions of behavioural therapy
In this assumed case the tariff pays 80 percent of fees, billed at 2.3 times.
25 sessions at EUR 100.55
EUR 2,513.75
Refund 80 percent
EUR 2,011.00
Your share
EUR 502.75
With a 100 percent refund you pay nothing, with 80 percent about EUR 500 a year yourself.
How much psychotherapy German private health insurance pays
Private cover usually includes about 50 sessions of psychotherapy a year. Some tariffs allow five trial sessions or the first 20 hours without asking; further sessions need approval.
Some tariffs pay beyond 50 sessions if treatment remains medically necessary. There is no standard application procedure as in public insurance, so get approval in writing.
Who may provide the psychotherapy
You can generally choose between medical and psychological psychotherapists. Only a few tariffs limit refunds to medical psychotherapy; some also pay non-medical practitioners for psychotherapy.
Therapist
Billing
Refund
Medical psychotherapist
GOÄ fee schedule
according to tariff
Licensed psychological psychotherapist
GOP, referring to the GOÄ
according to tariff, rarely excluded
Non-medical practitioner for psychotherapy
fee list for Heilpraktiker
only if the tariff provides it
What a psychotherapy session costs
Billing follows the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ). Behavioural therapy of at least 50 minutes has 750 points; at a point value of 5.82873 cents that is EUR 43.72 single rate and EUR 100.55 at the usual 2.3 times rate.
Depth psychological and analytic therapy have 690 points, EUR 92.50 at 2.3 times. Charging more than 2.3 times requires a special justification. Your tariff may set a percentage or cap per session.
Older tariffs and gaps in psychotherapy cover
Psychotherapy used to be a smaller part of cover and is still not in the model conditions (MB/KK). Older tariffs therefore sometimes pay only a few sessions or a small amount.
An existing tariff cannot be extended afterwards. More cover only comes through a tariff switch with your insurer, which may require a health check for extra benefits.
Psychotherapy and later applications
Psychotherapy is recorded in your file. In later applications, for example for disability insurance or a new health insurer, you must disclose what is asked in writing.
Do not go without help you need. But if important policies are planned anyway, try to arrange them before therapy starts.
Psychotherapy by video
Video consultations and digital services can support psychotherapy, and private insurers support them. Whether therapy purely by video is refunded depends on your tariff.
Step by step
Read your tariff terms on psychotherapy: sessions, percentage, approval.
Choose a licensed therapist; a non-medical practitioner only if covered.
Get written approval after the trial sessions.
Check bills for GOÄ numbers and multiplier.
Apply for extension before reaching the maximum.
Checklist
Sessions per year known
Approval requirement checked
Licensed therapist
Multiplier up to 2.3 or justified
Approval in writing
Common mistakes
Continuing beyond the free hours without approval
Choosing a non-medical practitioner the tariff does not cover
Skipping needed therapy out of fear for later applications
Assuming old tariffs pay like new ones
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Do I have to ask my insurer first?
Usually not for the first trial sessions.
Many tariffs then require written approval.
Is therapy with a non-medical practitioner covered?
Only if your tariff provides it; billing then follows the fee list for Heilpraktiker.
What applies in the standard tariff?
Up to 25 sessions a year after approval.
May more than 2.3 times be charged?
Only with a special justification on the bill.
Whether your tariff pays it is in the terms.
Is inpatient psychotherapy covered?
Yes, if medically necessary.
Tariffs usually regulate outpatient therapy in more detail.
