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What is the opening campaign (Öffnungsaktion) of German private health insurance for civil servants?

In short

What is the opening campaign (Öffnungsaktion) of German private health insurance for civil servants? It is a voluntary pledge by many private insurers: new civil servants (Beamte) are accepted within six months despite illness or disability. The risk surcharge is capped at 30 percent and there are no exclusions. It applies only with individual state aid (Beihilfe) and only to your first application.

What is the opening campaign (Öffnungsaktion) of German private health insurance for civil servants?

What it costs

Worked figures with the 30 percent cap.

ExampleTypical range
Top up tariff to state aid, age 30, no surchargeabout EUR 250 to 400 a month
Same tariff with the full 30 percent surchargeabout EUR 325 to 520 a month
Extra cost of the maximum surchargeabout EUR 75 to 120 a month

As of October 2026.

The 30 percent cap is stated by the PKV association.

Premiums are guide values from our quoting practice and depend on age, state aid rate and tariff.

Worked example

Teacher with type 1 diabetes, appointed on probation

She receives 70 percent state aid and insures the remaining 30 percent privately.

Window6 months from appointment
Assumed premium without surchargeEUR 150
Maximum surcharge 30 percentEUR 45

She pays at most EUR 195 a month and is fully covered for her diabetes.

How the opening campaign works

The opening campaign is a voluntary commitment by participating German private health insurers. It lets trainee and new civil servants with pre existing conditions or disabilities join private cover when they receive individual state aid towards medical costs.

You still answer the health questions fully. But the insurer may not refuse you, may not exclude benefits and may charge at most 30 percent extra. Each company decides whether and how much.

PointNormal applicationOpening campaign
Refusal for illnesspossiblenot allowed
Risk surchargeno capmax. 30 percent
Exclusionpossiblenot allowed
Choice of tarifffreeselected tariffs only

Traps to avoid

Only the first company you formally apply to is bound by the opening campaign. Send marked, non binding enquiries first to compare surcharges and benefits.

If you opt for flat rate state aid and stay in public insurance, the opening campaign is no longer available.

Family members

Family members eligible for state aid can also join within six months of first becoming eligible. Children who stay in public family insurance lose this option after that window.

When you do not need it

Healthy applicants often get a wider choice through a normal application. The opening campaign matters most when illness would lead to refusal or high surcharges.

Step by step

  1. Note your appointment date and the six month deadline.
  2. Send marked enquiries to several insurers.
  3. Compare surcharges and benefits.
  4. Answer the health questions fully.
  5. Then file one single application.

Checklist

  • Six month deadline met
  • Individual state aid chosen
  • Only one formal application
  • Family members registered in time

Common mistakes

  • Filing several real applications at once
  • Missing the deadline after the first appointment
  • Choosing flat rate state aid before comparing

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Can I use it twice?

Normally only once, at appointment on revocation or on probation.

The PKV association lists exceptions in its brochure.

Do all private insurers take part?

No, it is voluntary.

Participating companies offer it nationwide.

Will my surcharge rise if I get ill later?

No.

Later changes in health do not affect premium or surcharge.

Can I pick any tariff?

No, insurers offer selected tariffs under the campaign.

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.

Personal

Business

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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