Short answer: Beihilfe (civil servant health aid) in Baden-Württemberg is the share of medical costs that your employer covers for civil servants and their eligible dependants. The rate is set in § 61 of the Baden-Württemberg Beihilfe ordinance (BVO). It depends on your group of beneficiaries. The rest stays with you or is covered by private health insurance. Last updated: October 2026, BVO version of 1 January 2026 with the amendment of 27 May 2026.
Beihilfe (civil servant health aid) in Baden-Württemberg is the benefit through which your employer pays part of your medical costs once you hold civil servant status or are a trainee on probation as a civil servant. The amount is set by the Beihilfe ordinance, not by a guide. This text shows where to find the current rate, how to calculate your own share of costs and what to check before adding private cover. For the wider picture of the training period, read Beihilfe im Referendariat (in German) and Krankenversicherung im Referendariat (in German).
The Most Important Points
- Beihilfe is a benefit from your employer. It complements health insurance but does not replace it.
- The rate is set in § 61 BVO and depends on your group of beneficiaries.
- The BVO was amended in 2026. The version valid on the date of treatment is the one that counts.
- Your share is the part of a bill that neither Beihilfe nor insurance covers. You can estimate it with three figures.
- A private top-up is a trade-off between premium, scope of benefits and how long your civil servant status lasts.
Who Receives Beihilfe in Baden-Württemberg?
Beihilfe is paid to civil servants of the state and to recipients of civil servant pensions. Eligible dependants, such as a spouse or children, are included if the ordinance conditions are met. Trainee teachers in their preparatory service are generally in the same position because they hold civil servant status on probation. The ordinance describes the exact group of beneficiaries. If you are unsure, ask the responsible Beihilfe office before you sign an insurance contract.
What Is the Rate and Where Is It Written?
The rate is the percentage at which your employer reimburses eligible costs. It is set in § 61 BVO, listed under the heading “Bemessungssatz” in the version dated 1 January 2026. As a rule, civil servants on probation without children are at 50 percent (last updated: October 2026). The state ordinance remains decisive, because rates change with each amendment. A figure from a guide that does not reflect the current ordinance should never be the basis for an insurance decision. To find your rate:
- Open the current version of the Baden-Württemberg Beihilfe ordinance on the website of the State Office for Civil Service Pay and Pensions (Landesamt für Besoldung und Versorgung).
- Find § 61 (Bemessungssatz) and read the percentages for your group.
- Check whether your status has changed, for example through appointment as a permanent civil servant or through a growing family.
- Note the rate together with the date of the version so you can trace it later.
How Do I Calculate My Share of Costs?
Your share is the part of a medical bill that neither Beihilfe nor insurance pays. The calculation is simple once you know the rate and the bill amount. Two limits always apply: not every service is eligible, and some services have maximum amounts. The example below shows the logic, not your case.
| Item | Example value (assumption) | Result (assumption) |
|---|---|---|
| Medical bill | 1,000 euros | Starting point |
| Beihilfe at a 70 percent rate | 70 percent | 700 euros paid by Beihilfe |
| Remaining amount | 300 euros | Your share before any top-up |
Assumption: the 70 percent rate is only for illustration and is not a figure from the BVO. Find your own rate in § 61. The remaining amount is what you pay yourself if no top-up exists.
Do I Need Private Health Insurance on Top?
Beihilfe is only one part of your cover. Many civil servants add private health insurance that covers the remaining share. That can make sense if you stay in civil service for the long term, if you compare premiums and benefits carefully and if you answer health questions completely. It makes less sense if the training period is short or if you only want basic protection. A personal assessment of your case is best done in a consultation, for example with Academycon.
What Did the 2026 Amendment Change?
The Beihilfe ordinance was amended by the amending ordinance of 27 May 2026 (GBl. 2026 Nr. 61). This guide does not list every change in detail. Whether a particular passage affects your case is best answered by comparing it with the valid version. For insurance decisions, rely on the current ordinance rather than on older summaries in forums or guides.
How Do I Claim Beihilfe Correctly?
The process is similar for every claim, and a clean first claim saves follow-up questions later. A detailed walk-through is available in Beihilfe im Referendariat (in German).
- Collect every original invoice with diagnosis, service and date.
- Submit the claim with the receipts to the Beihilfe office and keep copies.
- Check the notice for completeness and amounts before you file it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do trainee teachers in Baden-Württemberg get Beihilfe?
Usually yes, if you hold civil servant status on probation. The ordinance names the eligible persons. Check with the Beihilfe office before you commit to a contract.
Where do I find the current rate?
In § 61 of the Baden-Württemberg Beihilfe ordinance. Always check the date of the version, because the ordinance was amended in 2026.
Is Beihilfe enough on its own?
Usually not in full. Your share remains, and it can be considerable depending on the treatment. That is why many civil servants weigh this remaining amount when deciding on a top-up.
What if Beihilfe rejects a service?
You receive a notice with reasons. You can object to it. The deadline is stated in the notice, so do not let it pass.
How long does Beihilfe entitlement last?
As long as the civil servant relationship or a pension entitlement exists. The end of the training period often means a change in the health insurance system. Plan the transition early so that no gap appears.
What to Do Now
- Read § 61 BVO in the current version and note the rate together with its date.
- Calculate your share for three typical treatments, for example a dental visit, glasses and a specialist appointment.
- Compare the remaining amount with the benefits of a possible top-up, without deciding on price alone.
- Check the decision with a consultation and with the Beihilfe office before you sign a contract.
Related Articles
- Beihilfe im Referendariat (in German)
- Krankenversicherung im Referendariat (in German)
- Glossary: Beihilfe (in German)
- Trainee pay by federal state (in German)
- Teacher training in Baden-Württemberg 2026/27
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
