hkk or TK as a student: both funds run bonus programmes, but their structure and rules differ clearly. hkk links bonuses to prevention and activity and names university sport explicitly. TK works with its health bonus and optional tariffs (Wahltarife). This guide explains both sets of rules and does not rate either fund.
Short answer: The basic contribution for students is the same at hkk and TK: 87.38 euros per month (as of 1 January 2026). hkk’s bonus model (terms dated 27 May 2026) is open to all insured members and counts university sport as a bonus-eligible activity. Whether a bonus pays off depends on your measures, proof and deadlines.
The key points
- The basic contribution is the same at hkk and TK, but the additional contribution is not.
- Participation in the hkk bonus model is voluntary. The participation terms set no restriction for students.
- University sport counts as an active-bonus measure. A subsidy for a fitness tracker of up to 280 euros is possible.
- The choice between an immediate bonus and a health subsidy cannot be changed afterwards.
- Proof must be submitted by 31 March of the following year, otherwise bonuses are forfeited.
What do you pay as a student at hkk or TK?
Students pay 10.22 percent on a contribution base of 855 euros. That makes 87.38 euros without the additional contribution (as of 1 January 2026, GKV-Spitzenverband). The calculation below shows how the total is made up. For an overview of choosing a fund and the deadlines, see KKH or TK for students 2026.
| Component | Calculation | Amount per month |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance without additional contribution | 855 euros × 10.22 percent | 87.38 euros |
| Additional contribution of the fund (assumption: 2.4 percent) | 855 euros × 2.4 percent | 20.52 euros |
| Long-term care insurance (without childless surcharge) | 855 euros × 3.6 percent | 30.78 euros |
| Example total | Sum of components | 138.68 euros |
Assumption: 2.4 percent is a calculation value, not a rate published by hkk or TK. The nationwide average was 2.9 percent in 2026 (Federal Ministry of Health), which gives an additional contribution of 24.80 euros.
How does the hkk bonus model work?
When you register, you automatically take part in the prevention bonus (Vorsorgebonus) and the activity bonus (Aktivbonus). The prevention bonus covers, among others, dental check-ups, cancer screening, health check-ups, vaccinations and children’s and adolescents’ check-ups. The activity bonus covers, among others, gyms, sports clubs, university and workplace sport, sports badges, prevention courses and online coaching.
| Element | Rule in hkk’s participation terms |
|---|---|
| Participation | Voluntary and open to all insured members. The document does not restrict it for students |
| Participation period | One calendar year, starting on the first day of the month in which your declaration arrives, at the earliest on the day your insurance begins |
| Bonus types | Immediate bonus (paid out) or health subsidy (tied to a purpose). The choice cannot be changed later |
| Proof | Confirmation by a doctor, dentist or provider in your bonus booklet. If it is lost, a different form of proof applies |
| Deadlines | Proof by 31 March of the following year. An unused health subsidy expires on 31 December of the following year |
| End | When your insurance with hkk ends, or at any time on request |
The health subsidy becomes available only after hkk confirms the measure. It covers no more than the actual cost and only once per invoice. Services not listed in the catalogue are excluded. hkk can change or end the programmes for the future.
What does TK offer instead?
The TK articles (as of 17 April 2026) include a bonus programme under § 26. It rewards prevention, vaccinations and prevention offers, and the details are in annexes 2 to 4. In addition, the PrämieXtra tariff under § 30 has a minimum term of one year. Prevention subsidies under § 18 cover 80 percent of the cost of behaviour-related courses, up to 150 euros, for two measures per year.
| Topic | hkk (participation terms, May 2026) | TK (articles, April 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Sport | University and workplace sport and gyms count towards the activity bonus | Prevention offers under § 26, details in the annexes |
| Preventive care | Prevention bonus for dental check-ups, cancer screening, check-ups and vaccinations | Health bonus for preventive care and vaccinations (§ 26) |
| Subsidy for equipment | Up to 280 euros for a fitness tracker after two prevention and three activity measures | Not named in the extract reviewed |
| Optional tariff | Not regulated as a premium tariff in the bonus model | PrämieXtra (§ 30), minimum term one year |
The table compares rules, not results. Whether a bonus model pays off for you only becomes clear once you have collected your measures and proofs.
How large is the subsidy compared with the contribution?
Worked example (as of 1 January 2026): the contribution without the additional contribution is 87.38 euros per month, which is about 1,048.56 euros per year. The fitness tracker subsidy of up to 280 euros is therefore roughly a quarter of such an annual amount. The figure shows the value of the subsidy, not your costs. It depends on prevention and activity measures that you document.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use the prevention bonus and the activity bonus at the same time?
Yes. When you register, you automatically take part in both programmes. The amounts depend on which measures you document.
What happens to my bonuses if I switch funds?
Your participation ends when your insurance with hkk ends, and documents you have not submitted by then can be forfeited. Submit proofs promptly before you switch.
What do I do if I lose a proof?
If a proof is lost, it has to be provided in another way, and hkk does not cover the cost of doing so. Ask in advance which documents are accepted.
Is the bonus model worth it?
A simple calculation helps: which measures would you take anyway, and what amounts would you receive for them? Measures you take only for the bonus rarely pay off. What matters is submitting proof within the deadlines.
Next steps
- Read hkk’s participation terms dated 27 May 2026, especially the participation period, proof and deadlines.
- List the prevention and activity measures you already use, for example university sport or prevention courses.
- Put the deadline of 31 March of the following year in your calendar and keep your receipts.
- Compare the result with TK’s health bonus and articles (§ 26 and § 30) before you decide.
Related reading
- TK or hkk for students 2026
- KKH or TK for students 2026
- German Health Insurance Terms for Newcomers
- Switching health insurance as a student (in German)
Sources: hkk, participation terms for the bonus model (27 May 2026, German), TK, articles of association (17 April 2026, German), GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on contribution calculation values 2026 (German), Federal Ministry of Health, contributions of statutory health insurance (German), § 175 SGB V (gesetze-im-internet.de, German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
