Definition. The health questionnaire is the list of questions with which a private health insurer checks your health before the contract is concluded. You must answer the questions completely and truthfully. Incorrect or incomplete answers can later lead to reduced benefits or the termination of the contract. Most applications for private health insurance include this check.
What the questionnaire asks
It usually asks about treatments, diagnoses, medication and hospital stays in recent years. Complaints that occurred only briefly can also be relevant. When in doubt, it is better to disclose more and explain the facts than to leave something out.
Figures 2026 and their sources
The fact base contains no figure for the health questionnaire itself, because the questions differ from insurer to insurer. A threshold does matter for employees, though: the compulsory insurance limit is EUR 6,450 per month and EUR 77,400 per year in 2026. Only above this limit can employees switch to private health insurance (GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 reference figures).
An example when applying
You apply for a private health insurance tariff and do not answer one question about earlier treatment completely. The insurer later learns of it, for example through records of a service. It can then reduce benefits or end the contract. Clarifying the point before signing would have avoided this conflict.
Related terms
- Health check and private insurance: PKV and the health check: what you need to know (in German)
- Private insurance without a health check: Joining private insurance without a health check (in German)
- Pre-existing conditions: Private health insurance for students with pre-existing conditions (in German)
- Expectancy: Glossary expectancy (in German)
- Full glossary: Health insurance for students: A to Z glossary (in German)
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to disclose minor complaints too?
Yes, if the question asks about them, short or resolved complaints must be disclosed too. Answer the questions fully rather than making a judgement that the insurer may later see differently.
What happens if the insurer did not notice an answer?
It can still have consequences if the insurer learns of it later. The consequences depend on the contract and on how much information was missing.
Are there tariffs without a health check?
Some offers do without a check, but they often come with limits on benefits or waiting periods. Compare these offers carefully before you decide.
Last updated: October 2026. This entry is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
Sources: GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 reference figures, insurance contract law and the terms of the respective insurer.
