A health insurance bonus is worth it for students only if you meet its conditions anyway. Many statutory health insurers in Germany (gesetzliche Krankenkassen) pay bonuses for preventive care and vaccinations, which are services you should use in any case. How much that adds up to depends less on the bonus itself than on the additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag). This guide shows how to compare both.
Short answer: Under section 65a SGB V, statutory health insurers may pay bonuses for health-conscious behaviour, for example preventive check-ups or vaccinations. Each insurer sets the amount and the conditions in its statutes (Satzung). The law itself does not name a euro amount (last updated: October 2026). The additional contribution matters more, and in 2026 its average rate was 2.9 percent.
The most important points at a glance
- A bonus rewards services such as preventive check-ups, early detection and vaccinations. It is not a reward for doing nothing.
- The amount, any cap and the payout method are set in the statutes of your insurer.
- The additional contribution applies every month, while a bonus is usually paid once a year.
- To verify compliance, the insurer may use data it already holds only with your consent.
- Switching insurers is subject to a twelve-month binding period, which also affects the bonus you can expect.
What is a bonus, and what is it not?
A bonus is a voluntary benefit that statutory health insurers may offer under section 65a SGB V. It requires you to take specific steps for your health. The law mentions in particular measures for health risk assessment and early detection (sections 25, 25a and 26 SGB V) as well as vaccinations (section 20i SGB V). Which measures count in practice is written in the statutes of your insurer.
It is important to separate the bonus from the contribution. The bonus does not lower the additional contribution. It is an extra benefit on top, so do not treat it as a price reduction. How the insurer pays out or credits the bonus is set out in its conditions.
How does the additional contribution compare?
The insurer-specific additional contribution is the bigger lever. According to the Federal Ministry of Health, the average rate was 2.9 percent in 2026, but an individual insurer can deviate considerably. For students, the rate applies to a contribution base of 855 euros per month, so every tenth of a percentage point translates directly into euros.
| Figure | Value | Status and source |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution base for students | 855 euros per month | 2026, section 236 SGB V |
| Average additional contribution | 2.9 percent | Status October 2026, Federal Ministry of Health |
| Additional contribution in euros at 2.9 percent | 24.80 euros per month | calculated, 855 euros times 2.9 percent |
| Difference between two insurers 0.5 percentage points apart | 4.28 euros per month | calculated, 855 euros times 0.5 percent |
Assumption for the example: you are a student aged 23 or older without children, you pay on the basis of 855 euros, and insurer B charges 0.5 percentage points more additional contribution than insurer A. Over a year, the difference is 51.30 euros (12 times 4.28 euros, rounded).
A bonus of 100 euros a year looks bigger than that difference at first sight. It applies only if you meet every condition and the insurer actually pays it out. It also takes time for doctor appointments, vaccinations and paperwork. If you already use these services, the bonus is a bonus. If you would only attend for the bonus, check the calculation again.
Which conditions usually apply?
Statutes differ, but many bonuses are linked to similar building blocks. Check the conditions of your insurer before you rely on a payout.
- Preventive examinations, for example a health check-up or an early detection examination.
- Vaccinations covered under section 20i SGB V.
- Dental prevention or other prevention courses, if your insurer names them in its statutes.
- Participation in health programmes offered by the insurer, with proof within the deadlines.
Watch the deadlines. Check whether the bonus is tied to one calendar year and by which date the evidence must reach the insurer. If you submit proof late, you may lose the entitlement, so a note in your calendar is worth the effort.
Data protection and consent
Proof for a bonus involves your health data. Under the law, the insurer may process personal data it has already stored lawfully for this purpose only if you have consented in writing or electronically (section 65a SGB V in conjunction with section 284 SGB V). Read the consent carefully before you sign it. You can ask your insurer in writing what data it uses.
What to consider when choosing an insurer
A bonus is only one component. Compare several points side by side before you choose an insurer because of a bonus. The additional contribution is the strongest factor, because it applies every month, even if you never use a service.
- The additional contribution for the current year, and whether the insurer has announced an increase.
- Statutory extras in the statutes, such as subsidies for glasses, dental prevention or courses, which not every insurer offers.
- Reachability, online services and processing times for applications and proof.
- The conditions for the bonus, the deadline and the form of the proof.
Always rely on the official documents of the insurer when you compare figures. Older numbers on comparison websites can be outdated.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay tax on a bonus?
The law does not give a general answer, and this guide does not provide tax advice. Ask your insurer how it treats the bonus and have your tax return checked if in doubt. For individual questions, the responsible tax office can help.
What happens if I switch insurers during the binding period?
Under section 175 para. 4 SGB V, a switch is subject to a binding period of twelve months. A special termination right applies if the insurer raises its additional contribution. After a switch, the conditions of your old insurer no longer count, and whether the new insurer pays a bonus depends only on its statutes.
Is a bonus worth it if I rarely see a doctor anyway?
In most cases not. A bonus should be a side benefit, not a reason to undergo prevention that you would otherwise skip. Prevention has its own value, and a bonus does not replace advice on your health.
Is there a bonus for dental prevention?
That depends on the statutes. Some insurers count dental prevention or professional tooth cleaning, others do not. Check the statutes or ask your insurer for the exact rule for students.
How much bonus is realistic?
The law does not set a binding figure. The amount is set in the statutes of each insurer and can change. Base your calculation on the current documents, not on old comparisons.
What to do now
- Download the current statutes of your statutory health insurer and look for the bonus programme.
- Check which services count, which deadline applies and when the proof must be submitted.
- Set the bonus against the additional contribution and the time you need for appointments.
- Read the data protection consent carefully before you sign it.
- Submit the proof on time and keep the confirmation.
Related reading
- Brille im Studium: Was die Krankenkasse 2026 zahlt
- Studentische Krankenkasse vergleichen: So findest du die günstigste Kasse
- Student health insurance costs by age in Germany
- Health insurance for students: glossary from A to Z
- Copayment exemption and out-of-pocket limit for students
Sources: Section 65a SGB V, bonus for health-conscious behaviour, gesetze-im-internet.de (retrieved October 2026), Section 175 SGB V, exercise of the right to choose, gesetze-im-internet.de (retrieved October 2026) and contribution rates of statutory health insurance, Federal Ministry of Health (status October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
