Every year, thousands of expats on private health insurance in Germany leave money on the table. Not because they did anything wrong. Just because nobody told them about the Beitragsrückerstattung, or BRE for short.
This guide covers everything: what it is, how much you can get back, how to claim it, the tax side of it, and the one decision that trips most people up (whether to pay a small bill out of pocket or submit it to insurance).
What Is Beitragsrückerstattung?
Beitragsrückerstattung literally means "contribution refund." It is a benefit built into most private health insurance (PKV) plans in Germany. The idea is simple: if you stay healthy and do not submit any claims for a full calendar year, your insurer gives you back a portion of the premiums you paid.
Depending on your plan, the refund is between 1 and 6 months of your annual premium. For someone paying €500 per month, that is between €500 and €3,000 back in your account. Tax-free.
How Much Can You Actually Get Back?
The refund amount depends on your plan and how many consecutive claim-free years you have.
| Monthly Premium | 3-Month BRE | 4-Month BRE | 6-Month BRE |
|---|---|---|---|
| €350 | €1,050 | €1,400 | €2,100 |
| €450 | €1,350 | €1,800 | €2,700 |
| €550 | €1,650 | €2,200 | €3,300 |
| €680 | €2,040 | €2,720 | €4,080 |
| €800 | €2,400 | €3,200 | €4,800 |
Who Qualifies for BRE?
Three conditions need to be true at the same time.
You are on private health insurance (PKV)
BRE is exclusive to PKV. GKV does not offer premium refunds. This is one of the most underrated financial advantages of private insurance.
You did not submit any claims during the calendar year
No doctor visits billed to insurance, no prescriptions, no hospital stays. Some plans allow one small claim per year and still pay a partial BRE. Check your specific tariff.
Your plan includes a BRE clause
Most major PKV providers include BRE, but not all tariffs do. Check your policy documents under "Beitragsrückerstattung" or call your insurer and ask directly.
The Decision Most People Get Wrong
You get a dental bill for €180. Do you submit it to your PKV or pay it yourself?
Most people submit it without thinking. But if your BRE is worth €1,800 and you lose it by submitting a €180 bill, you just cost yourself €1,620. Use the tool below to make this decision correctly every time.
Claim vs. Refund Decision Tool
Should you submit this bill or pay out of pocket?
How to Actually Claim Your BRE
The process varies by insurer. Here is what to expect.
Automatic payout (most modern insurers)
EasiestProviders like ottonova, Feather, and some Allianz tariffs process BRE automatically. If you have not submitted any claims by mid-year of the following year, they transfer the refund directly to your bank account on file. You do not need to do anything.
Manual claim form (older or traditional insurers)
Requires actionSome providers (DKV, HUK-Coburg, Signal Iduna) require you to submit a BRE claim form each year. The form is usually one page. You fill in your policy number, confirm you had no claims, sign it, and send it in. Deadline is typically March 31st of the following year.
No bank details on file
Watch out for thisIf your insurer does not have your current bank account details, they may send a cheque by post. Make sure your insurer has your IBAN on file to avoid delays.
The Tax Side: What You Need to Know
BRE is not completely free money from a tax perspective. You need to declare it in your German tax return.
Which PKV Providers Offer the Best BRE?
Not all plans are equal. Here is a rough comparison of what the major providers offer.
Allianz
Up to 6 months
One of the most generous BRE structures. Some tariffs allow one small claim and still pay partial BRE.
DKV
Up to 4 months
Solid BRE with a manual claim process. Good for people who prefer a traditional insurer.
HUK-Coburg
Up to 3 months
Lower BRE but often lower premiums. Worth comparing the total cost picture.
Signal Iduna
Up to 4 months
Good BRE with a straightforward claim process. Popular among expats.
ottonova
Up to 3 months
Fully digital, automatic BRE payout. Great for people who want zero admin.
3 Strategies to Maximize Your BRE
These are the moves that separate people who collect their full refund from those who leave it behind.
Use the claim vs. refund calculator before every bill
Before you submit any medical bill to your insurer, run the numbers. A €200 dental cleaning that costs you a €2,400 BRE is a bad trade. A €1,500 specialist visit that costs you a €1,200 BRE is a good trade. The math is simple once you do it.
Stack claim-free years for compounding refunds
Some PKV plans increase the BRE for consecutive claim-free years. Year 1 might be 2 months, year 2 might be 3 months, year 3 might be 4 months. If you can stay claim-free for 3 years in a row, the total refund can be significantly higher than a single year.
Set a calendar reminder for the claim deadline
If your insurer requires a manual claim form, the deadline is usually March 31st of the following year. Miss it and you lose the refund for that year. Set a reminder in January so you have time to gather the form and submit it.
"I had been on PKV for two years and had no idea about the BRE. When Michael told me I had €4,080 sitting unclaimed, I thought he was joking. I submitted the form that week. The money was in my account 10 days later."
Lena K., Product Manager, Munich
PKV since 2023, €680/month premium, 6-month BRE tariff
Find Out If You Have Unclaimed BRE
Book a free 15-minute audit. We will check your current PKV plan, calculate your BRE potential, and tell you exactly how to claim it. If you are not on PKV yet, we will show you which plans offer the best refund structure for your situation.
Check My BRE EligibilityWritten by Michael Weber
IHK-certified insurance advisor specializing in expat PKV optimization. Helped over 2,400 expats navigate German insurance since 2016.