In Brandenburg, Beihilfe covers a fixed share of the medical costs of civil servants entitled to it. The rest, the out-of-pocket share, has to come from private health insurance or another form of cover. This guide shows the reimbursement rates from the information sheet of the central pay office, works through an example and explains what to look for in a private policy. The basics of cover during the clerkship are in the German guide on Beihilfe during the clerkship (in German).
Short answer: In Brandenburg the basic Beihilfe rate for entitled civil servants is 50 percent of eligible costs. Pensioners receive 70 percent, entitled orphans 80 percent. The rest is usually covered by a supplementary private policy. Source: central pay office of the State of Brandenburg, dated 15 October 2021. Last updated: October 2026.
Key points
- Beihilfe-entitled civil servants receive 50 percent of eligible costs, according to the 2021 information sheet.
- During parental leave the rate for civil servants rises to 70 percent.
- You usually cover the rest with a private policy that has a Beihilfe tariff.
- As a rule, civil servants on probation without children are at 50 percent (status October 2026). Ask the Beihilfe office.
- A worked example shows the out-of-pocket share before you choose a tariff.
Which reimbursement rates apply in Brandenburg?
The information sheet on the reimbursement rate of the central pay office of the State of Brandenburg distinguishes several groups. The table summarises the rates as they appear in the sheet.
| Group | Reimbursement rate | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Beihilfe-entitled persons (basic rule) | 50 percent | Civil servants |
| Civil servants on parental leave | 70 percent | Special rule |
| Civil servants with family allowance for two or more children | 70 percent | Applies only to the person who receives the family allowance |
| Pensioners | 70 percent | Except orphans |
| Orphans | 80 percent | Special rule |
The sheet is dated 15 October 2021. Rates can change, so check the current position with the Beihilfe office before you decide.
How high is your out-of-pocket share?
The out-of-pocket share is the part of a bill that Beihilfe does not pay. At a 50 percent rate, the other half remains open, provided the costs are eligible. Services that are not eligible for Beihilfe have to be borne by you in full or covered by your private policy.
Assumption: an eligible bill of 600 euros and a reimbursement rate of 50 percent. Beihilfe pays 300 euros, and the out-of-pocket share is 300 euros. If your private policy covers 80 percent of that, which is 240 euros, 60 euros remain with you. The example only shows the logic. The actual reimbursement depends on the tariff and its conditions.
Calculate the example with your real bills from the last year. You will see how large the out-of-pocket share is on average, and you can decide more easily which tariff suits your situation.
Which private policy suits civil servants with Beihilfe?
Civil servants usually choose a Beihilfe tariff, which covers only the remaining share. It is cheaper than full cover without Beihilfe. Pay particular attention to dental work, hospital stays, alternative practitioners and medical aids, because the largest gaps often appear there.
Also check how contributions develop with age, waiting periods, exclusions and benefit limits. We do not name individual insurers, because the right tariff depends on the individual case. Academycon can give you a personal assessment after a conversation, see how we work.
What applies to trainees and clerks?
The information sheet does not explicitly name trainees and clerks. The group falls only under the general rule for Beihilfe-entitled persons. Whether they are entitled depends on their status. A training relationship follows different rules from a civil servant on probation.
Ask in writing which rate applies to you. A verbal answer is not enough if you later have to claim reimbursement.
How do you submit bills correctly?
Submit original bills with the diagnosis and a description of the service in the form the Beihilfe office requires. Keep copies. Incomplete bills are often returned, which delays the reimbursement. The glossary is in the German glossary on Beihilfe (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Do I get 50 percent Beihilfe in Brandenburg?
That is the basic rule for Beihilfe-entitled civil servants according to the sheet. Whether it applies to you is shown in the notice of the Beihilfe office. Parental leave or certain family allowances can lead to higher rates.
Do I need a private policy if I receive Beihilfe?
Usually yes, because Beihilfe covers only part of the costs. Without a supplement, the out-of-pocket share stays with you. A supplementary policy closes this gap, depending on the tariff.
Do the 70 percent rates also apply to children?
The sheet gives 70 percent for civil servants on parental leave and for civil servants with a family allowance for two or more children, and only for the person who receives the allowance. It does not name children as a separate group, only orphans with 80 percent.
What do I do if the Beihilfe office names a different rate?
Ask for the rate in writing with its legal basis and check whether it matches the information sheet. If you think the decision is wrong, you can file an objection. The deadline is stated in the notice.
How long does a reimbursement take?
The source gives no reliable figure. Processing time depends mainly on how complete your documents are.
What to do next
- Get the current reimbursement rate from the Beihilfe office in writing.
- Calculate a typical case, such as dental work or a hospital bill, using your own assumptions.
- Compare private tariffs for the remaining share and have the benefits confirmed in writing.
- Submit bills completely and keep copies.
Related guides
- Beihilfe during the clerkship: entitlement, rate and application (in German)
- Glossary: Beihilfe (in German)
- Beihilfe Berlin: reimbursement rates and private top-up cover
- Teacher training in Brandenburg 2026/27: allowances, Beihilfe and health insurance
- Health insurance during clerkship: GKV, PKV and Beihilfe
Sources: Central Pay Office of the State of Brandenburg, information sheet on reimbursement rates, dated 15 October 2021 (German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
