Definition. A premium refund (Beitragsrückerstattung) in private health insurance is a partial repayment of your contributions. It arises if you claim few or no benefits over a period and the insurer has generated surpluses. It depends on the tariff and the insurer and is not a fixed promise.
How the refund comes about
The insurer calculates contributions so that reserves for unexpected costs arise. If surpluses remain at the end of the year, it can return part of them to the insured. For you this means that a year without medical bills can lead to a repayment. Whether the tariff provides for this, and in what amount, is set out in the conditions.
Figures for 2026 and their sources
The fact base contains no amount or percentage for premium refunds, because it depends on the insurer’s surplus. For statutory health insurance, the general contribution rate in 2026 is 14.6 percent (§ 241 SGB V, fact sheet on calculation variables 2026).
An example with a claim-free year
You submit no bills to your insurer for a year because you stay healthy. The tariff provides a refund for such years. The insurer then pays back part of your contributions. The amount and the payment are governed by your contract, so it is worth looking at the tariff conditions.
What to watch for
A refund can interact with a deductible (Selbstbeteiligung). If you pay smaller bills yourself, you submit fewer claims and may receive different amounts back. Therefore do not compare only the contribution level, but also the rules on refunds and deductibles together.
Related terms
- Premium refund in detail: How the premium refund works in the PKV (in German)
- Deductible: Deductible in the PKV explained (in German)
- Contribution development: Contribution development in the PKV (in German)
- Ageing reserve: Ageing reserves in the PKV (in German)
- All terms at a glance: Health insurance for students: glossary from A to Z
Frequently asked questions
Is the premium refund guaranteed?
No. It depends on the insurer’s result and can fail to materialise in a given year. The tariff describes the conditions, but it does not constitute a fixed promise.
Does a refund count as income?
Whether a refund matters for tax or for other benefits depends on the individual case. Clarify this with a qualified adviser before you decide.
How do I claim the refund?
As a rule, it is calculated and communicated automatically at the end of the year. Check your contract to see whether you have to take any step yourself.
Last updated: October 2026. This entry is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
Sources: GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on calculation variables 2026, tariff conditions of the respective insurer.
