All about this insurance: Term life insurance
How much term life cover do I need in Germany?
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How much does term life insurance cost in Germany?
In short
At 30, as a non-smoker, you usually pay EUR 9 to 16 a month for EUR 200,000 of cover over 30 years. Smokers pay several times as much. Age, sum insured, term, health and job set the price. In German this is called Risikolebensversicherung and works much like term life cover in the UK or US.
What it costs
Guide figures from published tariff examples.
| Example | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Age 30, non-smoker, EUR 200,000, 30 years | about EUR 9 to 16 a month |
| Age 30, non-smoker, EUR 200,000, 25 years | about EUR 10 to 20 a month |
| Small sum, young non-smoker | from about EUR 2.50 a month |
Guide values as of September 2026 from publicly quoted tariff examples. Your premium depends on age, job and health; we obtain the exact quote for you.
Worked example
Couple, both 32, non-smokers, buying a flat
Each partner insures the other.
| Sum per person | EUR 200,000 |
| Term | 25 years |
| Premium per person | about EUR 10 to 20 a month |
Together about EUR 20 to 40 a month.
What drives the price
The older you are when you sign and the longer the term, the higher the premium. Smoking is the strongest single factor.
| Factor | Effect on the premium |
|---|---|
| Smoking | very strong |
| Age | strong |
| Sum insured | direct |
| Term | noticeable |
| Job and hobbies | surcharge if risky |
What is different if you come from abroad
German insurers ask detailed health questions, usually in German, and your answers must be complete. A wrong answer can let the insurer refuse to pay years later. If a question is unclear, ask before you sign rather than guess.
Some insurers want to know how long you plan to stay or what residence permit you hold. The payout can usually go to beneficiaries abroad, but name them clearly with full details. If you already have a policy at home, check whether it still covers you while living in Germany before you buy a second one.
Payable premium and gross premium
German term life policies show a lower payable premium (Zahlbeitrag) and a higher gross premium (Bruttobeitrag). The insurer may raise your premium up to the gross amount. Compare both.
Where you can save
A decreasing sum fits a loan and costs less. Many insurers treat you as a non-smoker once you have not smoked for at least a year.
Step by step
- Decide on the sum you need.
- Choose a term that matches your loan or your children's age.
- State your smoking status honestly.
- Compare payable and gross premium.
- Consider a decreasing sum if it protects a loan.
Checklist
- Sum fits your needs
- Term fits
- Gross premium known
- Non-smoker status correct
- Beneficiary named clearly, also if abroad
Common mistakes
- Hiding that you smoke
- Looking only at the payable premium
- Guessing at health questions you did not understand
- Choosing a long term without a real need
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
How much is term life insurance per month?
For young non-smokers with EUR 200,000 often EUR 9 to 20.
What do smokers pay?
Usually double and more.
When am I a non-smoker?
Usually after at least one year without tobacco, depending on the insurer.
Is a decreasing sum sensible?
Yes, if it protects a loan whose balance goes down over time.
What happens if I leave Germany?
Many policies keep running if you keep paying. Check the terms on residence abroad before you move.
Sources
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