How is the contribution rate for health insurance made up? What are the general and supplementary rates?

General or reduced contribution rate

The general contribution rate for health insurance is paid by employees and the self-employed who are entitled to sick pay. Pensioners and retirees also pay the general contribution rate on their pensions and other pension payments, e.g., company pensions.

The reduced rate is paid by insurees who are in employment but who are not entitled to sick pay. For example, self-employed persons who have chosen health insurance cover without an entitlement to sick pay. Pensioners with voluntary health insurance cover who receive income from capital or renting/leasing also pay the reduced rate.

Supplementary contribution rate

The supplementary contribution rate is set individually by each health insurance fund. It supplements the general or reduced contribution rate. As of January 2025, our supplementary contribution rate is 2.69%. It is therefore lower than the average supplementary contribution rate of 2.9%

The average supplementary contribution rate is a mathematical figure. Each year a group of experts estimates the expected expenditure of the health insurance funds and the income of the health fund for the following year. On this basis, the German Ministry of Health determines the average supplementary contribution rate. The figure applies for the entire following year.

Good to know

For the following groups of people, there is a 2-month delay before the changed supplementary contribution rate takes effect:

Pensioners subject to compulsory insurance.

Individuals who receive pension payments, e.g., company pensions, where the pension insurance provider or the paying agent withholds the contributions and transfers them to us.

This delay is due to the system changeover. The previous supplementary contribution rate continues to apply during this 2-month changeover period.