Short answer: According to the draft bill, the pharmacy copayment in 2027 is to be at most 15 euros per pack, compared with at most 10 euros today. The minimum rises from 5 to 7.50 euros. The retail price remains the basis, with 10 percent of it payable. The rule becomes binding only with the promulgated act. Last updated: November 2026.
The pharmacy copayment is due when you collect a prescription medicine or another reimbursable medicine from a pharmacy. An increase is planned for 2027. This guide explains how the copayment is calculated today, which values the draft sets out and how to estimate the amount for a year.
The essentials in brief
- Today you pay 10 percent of the retail price per pack, at least 5 and at most 10 euros.
- The draft bill sets the maximum at 15 euros and the minimum at 7.50 euros.
- The copayment applies per medicine pack, not per month.
- Once you reach the annual cap under section 62 SGB V, the copayment ends for the calendar year.
- The promulgated version in the Federal Law Gazette determines the final amounts.
How is the pharmacy copayment calculated?
The copayment depends on the retail price of the pack. Under section 61 SGB V, 10 percent of the retail price is payable, at least 5 euros and at most 10 euros. The copayment is also never higher than the cost of the medicine. What counts is therefore the amount the pharmacy charges for the pack, not the list price named by the manufacturer.
This rule applies to people insured under statutory health insurance. Privately insured persons pay the retail price first, and reimbursement follows their tariff.
What does the draft bill change?
The draft of the GKV contribution rate stabilisation act provides for copayments of 10 percent of the retail price, with a minimum of 7.50 euros and a maximum of 15 euros. The Federal Ministry of Health names an increase of 50 percent for copayments overall. The Health Committee removed the annual adjustment of copayments, so the amounts stay fixed until the law changes them again.
| Retail price of the pack | Today | Draft 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 40 euros | 5 euros | 7.50 euros |
| 120 euros | 10 euros | 12 euros |
| 200 euros | 10 euros | 15 euros |
The values rest on the rules of the draft. Whether exemptions apply to you depends on your individual case, and the final version may still change the figures.
How much do you pay over a year? A worked example
The example below uses assumptions to show the order of magnitude. It is not a forecast for your medicines. It only shows how the sum develops over one year.
- Assumption: you collect two packs each month with a retail price of 120 euros each.
- Today: 2 times 10 euros per month, so 240 euros per year.
- Under the draft: 2 times 12 euros per month, so 288 euros per year.
- Once you reach the annual cap under section 62 SGB V, the copayment ends for the calendar year and your insurer issues a certificate.
The difference in the example is 48 euros per year. It grows with the number of packs and with the retail price, because the maximum amount applies in full only from a price of 150 euros.
Who is exempt from the copayment?
There is no blanket exemption for all medicines. The annual cap is the most important lever. It lies at 2 percent of gross annual income, and at 1 percent for chronically ill persons. Once the total of copayments reaches this cap, the insurer issues a certificate and further copayments fall away in the calendar year.
For children and certain other groups, separate rules apply, which the act sets out in detail. Clarify these exceptions with your health insurer before you pay larger amounts.
Why the retail price determines the amount
The retail price is the amount charged for the pack when it is dispensed in the pharmacy. It can differ from the price you know from advertising or price comparisons. Only this amount counts for the copayment, because the calculation is tied to it. If you want to estimate the copayment in advance, use the retail price, not the list price.
This also explains why two similar packs can trigger different copayments. At high prices the maximum applies, at low prices the minimum. In between, the copayment rises with the price until the maximum is reached.
Which documents help when checking?
A clean check needs only a few documents. Keep them in order, so that you can respond quickly to queries.
- The pharmacy receipt or invoice showing the retail price
- Your own list of copayments for each calendar year
- The health insurer’s certificate once the annual cap is reached
- Your contribution notice or insurance card, so that you can identify your insurer clearly
What does this mean for students?
The pharmacy copayment matters especially for students, because budgets are often tight. Anyone who regularly needs medicines should plan for the annual cap early. Planning by calendar year helps to spread costs, for example by timing larger prescriptions for the new year, where that is medically sensible.
Frequently asked questions
Does the pharmacy copayment rise if I take more medicines?
Yes, because the copayment is charged per pack. The annual cap limits the total within the calendar year. If you need many medicines, check regularly how close you are to the cap.
Can the pharmacy waive the copayment?
The amount of the copayment is fixed by law, and the pharmacy cannot reduce it on its own. Questions about an exemption go to your health insurer, which also issues the certificate for the annual cap.
Does the amount also apply to therapies?
No. Therapies such as physiotherapy follow their own rules under section 61 SGB V. The draft also provides for changes there, and you should check the exact amounts in the statutory text.
When does the new copayment apply?
The figures refer to the year 2027. The promulgated version in the Federal Law Gazette names the exact reference date. Until then today’s rules remain in force.
What to do now
- Read the retail price from the pharmacy receipt, because it determines the copayment.
- Record the copayments of the year so that you do not miss the annual cap.
- Ask your health insurer for the certificate as soon as the cap is reached.
- For questions about your personal situation, individual advice from Academycon is available.
Related guides
- Krankenkasse 2027: What changes for insured persons and students
- Copayments 2027
- Copayment exemption and annual cap for students (in German)
- GKV reform 2026
- Dental prostheses 2027
Sources: Gesetze im Internet: section 61 SGB V, copayments (retrieved November 2026), German Bundestag: printed paper 21/7023 of 8 July 2026, report on the draft bill, Federal Ministry of Health: FAQ on the GKV contribution rate stabilisation act
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
