GKV is not cheap. Most expats know this. But very few actually sit down and calculate the exact number they are losing every month compared to what they would pay on private insurance.
This post gives you the calculator, the math behind it, and the context you need to understand what the number actually means for your situation.
GKV Overpayment Calculator
See what GKV is actually costing you above PKV rates
How GKV Pricing Actually Works
Most people know GKV is a percentage of salary. But the full picture is a bit more nuanced.
The Base Rate: 14.6% of Gross Salary
The standard GKV contribution rate in 2026 is 14.6% of your gross monthly salary. You pay 7.3% and your employer pays 7.3%. On top of that, most GKV funds charge an additional Zusatzbeitrag (supplementary rate) averaging around 1.7% in 2026, split equally between you and your employer.
So the real total rate is closer to 16.3%, with you paying about 8.15% and your employer paying the rest.
The Cap: €5,812.50 Per Month
GKV contributions are capped at the Beitragsbemessungsgrenze (BBG). In 2026, this is €5,812.50 per month (€69,750 per year). If you earn more than this, you still only pay contributions on €5,812.50. This means the maximum combined GKV contribution is around €849 per month, regardless of how much you earn above the cap.
The Employer Subsidy: Up to €421/Month
When you switch to PKV, your employer still pays a subsidy toward your premium. But it is capped at 50% of your PKV premium, and no more than what they would have paid for GKV. In 2026, that cap is around €421 per month. This subsidy is a big part of why PKV is so cost-effective for high earners.
Real Numbers: GKV vs PKV at Different Salary Levels
These are estimates based on 2026 rates for a healthy single person aged 32.
| Gross Salary | GKV Total/Month | PKV Est./Month | Monthly Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| €80,000 | €849 | €430 | €419 |
| €90,000 | €849 | €430 | €419 |
| €100,000 | €849 | €430 | €419 |
| €120,000 | €849 | €430 | €419 |
| €150,000 | €849 | €430 | €419 |
GKV figures include employer share. PKV figures are after employer subsidy. Actual PKV premiums vary by age, health, and provider.
The Number Nobody Talks About: The 5-Year Loss
Monthly savings sound nice. But the number that really gets people is the 5-year figure.
If you are losing €300 per month on GKV, that is €3,600 per year. Over 5 years, that is €18,000. Over 10 years, €36,000. That is not a rounding error. That is a car, a down payment, or a year of living expenses.
And this is before you factor in the Beitragsrückerstattung. If you stay claim-free on PKV, you can get back 3 to 6 months of premiums per year. For someone paying €450 per month, that is an extra €1,350 to €2,700 back in your pocket annually.
When GKV Actually Wins
We are not here to tell you PKV is always better. There are real situations where GKV makes more sense.
- You have a non-working spouse and two or more children. GKV covers them for free. PKV does not.
- You have significant pre-existing conditions. PKV can exclude them or charge much higher premiums.
- You plan to leave Germany within 2 years. The switching costs and setup time may not be worth it.
- You are over 50 and have not been on PKV before. Premiums at this age can be high enough to wipe out the savings.
The Real Question Is Not "How Much Am I Losing?"
The real question is: given your specific situation, age, family status, health, and how long you plan to stay in Germany, does the math work out in your favor?
The calculator above gives you a starting point. But the honest answer requires looking at your full picture. That is what we do in our free audit sessions.
We have run this calculation for over 2,400 expats. About 70% of them were losing money on GKV and did not know it. The other 30% were in situations where GKV was actually the right call. We tell both groups the truth.
Get Your Personalized Savings Report
The calculator gives you an estimate. The audit gives you the exact number, the right PKV plan for your situation, and a clear yes or no on whether switching makes sense for you.
Book My Free AuditWritten by Michael Weber
IHK-certified insurance advisor specializing in expat PKV optimization. Helped over 2,400 expats navigate German insurance since 2016.