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What is a premium relief tariff (Beitragsentlastungstarif) in German private health insurance?

In short

What is a premium relief tariff (Beitragsentlastungstarif) in German private health insurance? It is an optional add on: you pay an extra premium now, which is saved with interest and lowers your premium in old age, usually from 65, by a fixed amount. The cut is capped at 60 to 100 percent of the premium at signing, depending on the insurer. Employers contribute.

What is a premium relief tariff (Beitragsentlastungstarif) in German private health insurance?

What it costs

Guide values for relief from age 67.

ExampleTypical range
Relief EUR 200 a month from 67, signed at 35about EUR 70 to 110 extra a month
Same relief, signed at 45about EUR 120 to 180 a month
Statutory surcharge on EUR 600 premiumEUR 60 a month

As of October 2026.

The statutory surcharge is in the VAG; relief caps are stated by the PKV association.

Extra premiums are guide values from our quoting practice.

Worked example

Employee, 35, relief EUR 200 from 67

Assumed extra premium EUR 90, half paid by the employer; the relief tariff costs an assumed EUR 15 in old age.

Own share for 32 yearsEUR 45 a month, about EUR 17,300
Relief from 67EUR 200 a month
Net saving in old ageEUR 185 a month

After about eight years of retirement your own share has been paid back, before interest.

How a premium relief tariff works

You take out a separate tariff next to your health cover. Its premium is invested with interest and funds a guaranteed premium reduction from the agreed age. You can raise or lower the extra premium later; the relief changes accordingly. You keep paying the relief tariff during the relief phase.

Statutory surcharge versus voluntary relief

Everyone in German full private health insurance pays a statutory 10 percent surcharge from the year after turning 21 until age 60. From 65 it is used to limit premium increases and from 80 to cut premiums (§§ 149 and 150 VAG).

The premium relief tariff is voluntary and on top. It cuts the premium by a fixed amount instead of only cushioning increases.

PointStatutory surchargeRelief tariff
Compulsoryyes, 21 to 60no
Amount10 percent of gross premiumyour choice
Effectlimits increases from 65, cuts from 80fixed cut from agreed age
Employer shareyesyes

When it pays off and when not

It pays off mainly for employees, because the employer shares the cost while you keep the full relief in retirement. The earlier you sign, the cheaper the same relief.

For self employed people without a subsidy it is less attractive. The money is tied to the contract, so check what happens to it if you switch insurer or cancel.

Step by step

  1. Estimate your premium in old age.
  2. Get quotes for different relief amounts.
  3. Confirm the employer subsidy.
  4. Choose the relief age.
  5. Sign early.

Checklist

  • Guaranteed relief in euros
  • Relief age matches retirement
  • Employer subsidy confirmed
  • Cost of relief tariff in old age known

Common mistakes

  • Signing late and paying a lot for little relief
  • Forgetting the relief tariff still costs in old age
  • Signing as self employed without doing the maths

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

When does relief start?

Usually at 65; some insurers allow 55, 60 or 70.

Does my employer contribute?

Yes, the premium counts for the employer subsidy within legal limits.

Does it replace the statutory surcharge?

No, the 10 percent surcharge is compulsory and separate.

Can I raise the relief later?

Yes, but it costs more because you are older.

Sources

NAMMERT insurance broker

Request a quote: Private health insurance

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1Who is it for?
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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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