The health insurance threshold for 2027 (Versicherungspflichtgrenze) decides from which salary you may choose private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung, PKV). If you earn less, you stay in statutory health insurance. This guide explains the threshold, sets out the 2026 figures and the 2027 draft, and works through what this means for your first job.
Short answer: For 2026 the threshold is 77,400 euros per year, which is 6,450 euros per month. In early October 2026 the German federal cabinet adopted a draft for 2027 of 84,150 euros per year (7,012.50 euros per month). It takes effect only after the Bundesrat consents. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points
- What counts is your regular annual earnings, not a single month (section 6(1) no. 1 of the Social Code Book V).
- For 2026 the threshold is 77,400 euros per year. This figure is official.
- For 2027 the draft sets the threshold at 84,150 euros per year. The Bundesrat still has to consent.
- If your pay is below it, you are compulsorily insured in statutory health insurance. A PKV is then usually not an option.
- Above the threshold, you can choose between statutory and private insurance. PKV premiums depend on entry age, health and tariff.
- If you cross the threshold during the year, your compulsory insurance continues until the end of that year (section 6(4) SGB V).
What is the threshold for 2026 and 2027?
The annual earnings threshold is an annual figure. The monthly figure is one twelfth of it. The table shows both values and the status of each figure.
| Year | Threshold per year | Threshold per month | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 77,400 euros | 6,450 euros | Official, in force since 1 January 2026 |
| 2027 | 84,150 euros | 7,012.50 euros | Draft (cabinet), Bundesrat pending |
The contribution assessment ceilings for health and long-term care insurance also change. They set the income up to which contributions are calculated, and they are a different figure from the threshold.
| Ceiling | 2026 (official) | 2027 (draft) |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution ceiling for health and care insurance, per month | 5,812.50 euros | 6,375 euros |
| Contribution ceiling for pension insurance, per month | 8,450 euros | 8,850 euros |
From which salary may you switch to private insurance?
Employees whose regular annual earnings exceed the threshold are no longer subject to compulsory statutory insurance (section 6(1) no. 1 SGB V). Only then are you exempt and can choose between statutory and private insurance. What matters is the annual pay you regularly receive, not the amount of a single month.
For special payments such as a 13th salary or Christmas bonus, ask your health insurer. Whether such payments count as regular annual earnings depends on the individual case.
What does this mean for your first job?
At the start of your career, the annual pay in your contract is what counts. The table below converts monthly salaries into a year. Assumption: you receive twelve equal monthly salaries with no special payments.
| Monthly salary (assumption) | Annual pay | Above 77,400 euros (2026)? | Above 84,150 euros (2027 draft)? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4,000 euros | 48,000 euros | No | No |
| 5,500 euros | 66,000 euros | No | No |
| 6,600 euros | 79,200 euros | Yes | No |
| 7,100 euros | 85,200 euros | Yes | Yes |
Example: you earn 6,600 euros per month. That is 79,200 euros per year, so in 2026 you are above the threshold and can choose between statutory and private insurance. Under the 2027 draft, the threshold would be 84,150 euros, and your salary would remain below it.
Under the wording of the law, someone who starts directly with pay above the threshold is exempt from the start. Someone who rises above it during the year stays in statutory insurance until the end of that year. Comparing tariffs always makes sense before you decide. More on this is in PKV at the start of your career (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Is the threshold a monthly or an annual figure?
It is an annual figure. The monthly figure comes from dividing the annual figure by twelve. For 2026 that is 6,450 euros per month, and for 2027 the draft gives 7,012.50 euros per month.
What happens if I just exceed the threshold in 2026?
Your compulsory insurance then ends only at the end of the calendar year in which you cross the threshold (section 6(4) SGB V). This does not apply if your pay stays below the threshold that applies from the next year. Later pay increases are attributed to the year in which the entitlement arose.
Must I switch to private insurance if I earn above the threshold?
No. Above the threshold you have a choice. You can stay in statutory health insurance, including voluntary membership. Whether switching suits you depends on benefits, premium and your health.
Is the threshold the same for everyone?
Yes, the threshold is the same for all employees. Surcharges linked to family status are not taken into account in the calculation (section 6(1) no. 1 SGB V). Part-time work does not change the threshold either, because it is an annual figure. What matters is only whether your annual pay is above it.
Does the threshold apply to students?
Students follow their own rules, which differ from the threshold. The threshold matters mainly for employees who earn a regular salary.
What if my pay rises during the year?
Then what counts is the pay you regularly receive. Under section 6(4) SGB V, your compulsory insurance ends only at the end of the year when the threshold is crossed during the year. Ask for pay rises to be confirmed in writing before you make any decision.
How do I know the 2027 figure really applies?
The values apply only once the 2027 social security calculation regulation enters into force. Reliable information comes from the federal government, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the GKV umbrella organisation after promulgation. Until then the official 2026 figures apply.
What to do next
- Work out your regular annual pay from your employment contract: monthly salary times twelve, plus regular special payments.
- Compare the result with the threshold for that year.
- If you are below it, you stay in statutory insurance. If you are above it, check your choice.
- Before switching to private insurance, compare tariffs and benefits. Academycon offers a personal consultation, details are on the How we work page.
Related guides
- Health Insurance Income Limit 2026: What It Means
- Voluntary Health Insurance Germany: Rates 2026
- Private Health Insurance for Working Students in Germany
- PKV oder GKV beim ersten Job: Entscheidungshilfe mit Rechenbeispiel (in German)
Sources: Federal Ministry of Labour (BMAS): 2027 social security calculation regulation, draft, in German (status October 2026); GKV umbrella organisation: fact sheet on calculation values 2026, in German (status 1 January 2026); Gesetze im Internet: section 6 SGB V, in German (accessed October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
