How much is the pension subsidy for private health insurance in Germany?
In short
In 2026 the pension subsidy for private health insurance in Germany is 8.75 percent of your gross statutory pension, but never more than half of your health premium. On a EUR 1,800 pension that is EUR 157.50 a month. You must apply within three calendar months, otherwise payment only starts in the month you apply.
Statutory values of the German pension insurance, as of October 2026.
Example
Typical range
Subsidy as a share of the statutory pension, 2026
8.75 percent
Pension EUR 1,200
EUR 105 a month
Pension EUR 1,800
EUR 157.50 a month
Pension EUR 2,500
EUR 218.75 a month
Cap
50 percent of your own health premium
As of 14 October 2026, based on the pension insurance information sheet (as of 01.01.2026).
Under section 106 SGB VI the subsidy is half of the general contribution rate (14.6 percent) plus
half of the average additional contribution (2026: 2.9 percent), which gives 8.75 percent.
The health ministry announces the 2027 average by 1 November 2026 under section 242a SGB V.
Worked example
Retiree, EUR 1,800 statutory pension, health premium EUR 520 plus care EUR 70
What you actually pay after the subsidy.
Subsidy 8.75 percent of EUR 1,800
EUR 157.50
Cap: half the health premium
EUR 260, does not apply
Health insurance after subsidy
EUR 362.50
Long term care, no subsidy
EUR 70
Your own share is about EUR 432.50 a month. The care premium is a guide value from our quoting practice.
How the subsidy is calculated
The basis is the amount of your German statutory pension. The pension insurance takes half of the general contribution rate of 14.6 percent plus half of the average additional contribution of public health insurers. In 2026 that is 8.75 percent of the pension.
The pension subsidy is never more than half of what you actually pay for private health insurance. With low premiums or tariffs for civil servants with state aid (Beihilfe), this cap often applies.
Statutory pension per month
8.75 percent
Private health premium
Subsidy
EUR 1,200
EUR 105
EUR 500
EUR 105
EUR 1,800
EUR 157.50
EUR 520
EUR 157.50
EUR 2,000
EUR 175
EUR 280 (Beihilfe tariff)
EUR 140, half the premium
EUR 2,500
EUR 218.75
EUR 600
EUR 218.75
What is not subsidised
There is nothing towards private long term care insurance (Pflegepflichtversicherung). Company pensions, Riester and Rürup pensions, rental income and foreign state pensions do not count for the subsidy.
If you are also compulsorily insured in a public health scheme, in Germany or abroad, there is no subsidy. It also ends when the pension ends or you give up private cover.
Application and deadline
The subsidy is not paid automatically. The easiest way is to apply with your pension application; form R0820 is also available on its own. Your insurer confirms the premium on a separate form, and there is another form for insurers in other EU countries.
Apply within three calendar months after the month in which you meet the conditions. If you apply later, payment only starts in the month of application, and the missed months are lost.
If you retire outside Germany
The subsidy can continue abroad if your private insurer is supervised in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland and you are not compulsorily insured in a public scheme there. A public pension from your home country is not counted, only the German one.
What may change in 2027
The rate depends on the average additional contribution of public health insurers. The health ministry sets the 2027 value by 1 November 2026. If it stays at 2.9 percent, the subsidy stays at 8.75 percent; if it rises, the subsidy rises by half the increase.
When your pension rises on 1 July, the subsidy grows with it. If your private premium rises, this only matters if the half premium cap applied so far; then report the new premium.
Step by step
Answer yes to the question about the health insurance subsidy in your pension application.
Fill in form R0820 if you already receive your pension.
Ask your insurer for a premium certificate and enclose it.
If you receive Beihilfe, check with the Beihilfe office first.
Check the decision: rate and pension amount.
Checklist
Application made within three calendar months
Insurer's certificate enclosed
Only the German statutory pension used as the basis
Half premium cap checked
Premium changes reported if the cap applies
Common mistakes
Forgetting to apply and losing months of subsidy
Expecting a subsidy on a company pension
Counting a pension from your home country
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Do I get a subsidy for long term care insurance too?
No.
The pension insurance only contributes to health insurance.
Is the subsidy paid retroactively?
Only if you apply within three calendar months.
Otherwise it starts in the month you apply.
Is there a subsidy on my company pension?
No.
Only the German statutory pension counts.
Can I keep the subsidy if I move back to my home country?
Within the EU, EEA and Switzerland yes,
if your insurer is supervised there and you are not compulsorily insured in a public scheme.
Elsewhere, ask the pension insurance first.
How much less than 8.75 percent can my subsidy be?
It depends on the cap: the pension insurance never pays more than half of your actual health
premium, so with a low premium the subsidy is lower.
