Short answer: Beihilfe (civil servant health aid) in Bavaria is the reimbursement from your employer for medical costs of civil servants and their eligible dependants. The rates are personal and set in Art. 96 para. 3 BayBG, to which § 46 BayBhV refers. The rest is your share or is covered by health insurance. As a rule, trainees without children are at 50 percent (status October 2026). Last updated: October 2026, text of the BayBhV as retrieved, valid from 1 September 2026.
Beihilfe (civil servant health aid) in Bavaria is one of the core questions for everyone who is a civil servant or is in the preparatory service as a civil servant on probation. The entitlement follows civil service law, and the reimbursement follows the Bavarian Beihilfe ordinance. This text shows where the rules are written, how to calculate your share of costs and what to check before adding private cover. For the training period in general, see Beihilfe during training (in German).
The Most Important Points
- Beihilfe is a benefit from your employer. It complements health insurance and does not replace it.
- The rates are personal. The basis is Art. 96 para. 3 BayBG, referred to by § 46 BayBhV.
- The increased rate of 70 percent applies only once when several beneficiaries are entitled.
- On exhaustion of insurance cover, the rate rises by 20 percentage points, up to a maximum of 90 percent.
- Whether a private top-up pays off depends on premium, benefits and how long your civil servant status lasts.
Where Is the Reimbursement Rate Set in Bavaria?
The reimbursement rate is the percentage at which your employer pays eligible costs. In Bavaria it follows personal percentages named in Art. 96 para. 3 sentence 2 BayBG, and § 46 BayBhV refers to them. The rates for your group are in the law itself. Your group can differ, because Bavaria sets the rates per person.
To find your rate:
- Open the Bavarian Beihilfe ordinance on the Bavarian law portal and read § 46 in its current version.
- Follow the reference to Art. 96 para. 3 BayBG and find the percentages for your group.
- Note the rate with the date of the version and check again after every change in your status.
Which Special Rules Apply Under § 46 BayBhV?
The provision contains several special cases that matter for many civil servants. The table lists the most important rules and where they are found. It is not exhaustive and supplements the statutory text.
| Rule | Where | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Personal reimbursement rate | § 46 para. 1 BayBhV, Art. 96 para. 3 sentence 2 BayBG | Depends on your group |
| Increased rate of 70 percent | § 46 para. 2 BayBhV | Applies only once when several beneficiaries exist |
| Voluntarily insured in statutory insurance | § 46 para. 3 BayBhV | Remaining difference is reimbursed at 100 percent, per the wording of the law |
| Exhaustion of insurance cover | § 46 para. 5 BayBhV | Plus 20 percentage points, up to 90 percent |
| Service-related injury | § 46 para. 6 BayBhV | The highest service authority can increase the rate |
How Do I Calculate My Share of Costs in Bavaria?
Your share is the part of a bill that Beihilfe does not pay. It results from the reimbursement rate, the bill amount and the limits of eligibility. Not every service is eligible, and some services have maximum amounts. The example shows the logic.
| Item | Value (assumption) | Result (assumption) |
|---|---|---|
| Medical bill | 500 euros | Starting point |
| Reimbursement rate | 50 percent | 250 euros paid by Beihilfe |
| Remaining amount | 250 euros | Your share before any top-up |
Assumption: the 50 percent rate only illustrates the calculation. Take your actual rate from Art. 96 BayBG.
On exhaustion of insurance cover the calculation changes. Assumption: a starting rate of 70 percent rises by 20 percentage points to the 90 percent ceiling. Your share falls accordingly, while the logic stays the same.
When Does a Private Top-Up Fit Alongside Bavarian Beihilfe?
A private health insurance policy tops up Beihilfe and covers your remaining share. It often fits if you stay in civil service for the long term, compare premiums and benefits carefully and answer health questions completely. It fits less well if you are only briefly in the preparatory service, expect a phase without civil servant status or want only basic cover. Both views are defensible. What matters is the comparison with your personal situation. A consultation helps with the trade-off, for example via Health insurance during training (in German).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who receives Beihilfe in Bavaria?
Civil servants, recipients of civil servant pensions and eligible dependants, where the conditions are met. Civil service law defines the exact group.
Is Beihilfe different for voluntarily insured people?
Yes. Under § 46 para. 3 BayBhV, people voluntarily insured in statutory health insurance receive the remaining difference reimbursed at 100 percent. Check whether this rule fits your case before you decide.
What does exhaustion of insurance cover mean for Beihilfe?
It means that your benefit entitlement under the insurance has been used up. The rate then rises under § 46 para. 5 BayBhV by 20 percentage points, up to 90 percent.
Can I influence the rate myself?
No. The rate follows from your status and the rules of the ordinance. You can check it and reassess it after any change in status.
What if a claim is rejected?
You receive a notice with reasons and can object to it. The deadline is stated in the notice, so keep to it.
What to Do Now
- Read § 46 BayBhV in its current version and follow the reference to Art. 96 BayBG.
- Note your reimbursement rate with the date and calculate your share for three typical treatments.
- Compare the remaining amount with a possible top-up and take advice before you sign a contract.
Related Articles
- Beihilfe during training (in German)
- Health insurance during training (in German)
- Glossary: Beihilfe (in German)
- Teacher training in Bavaria
- Beihilfe in Baden-Württemberg
Sources: Bavarian Beihilfe ordinance (BayBhV), § 46, text valid from 1 September 2026, accessed October 2026, Bavarian law portal gesetze-bayern.de, accessed October 2026.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
