Health insurance for children
An overview of everything you need to know about health insurance for children
- Whether a child has statutory or private insurance depends on the insurance status, income and marital status of the parents.
- If both parents have statutory insurance, the child is covered by family insurance free of charge; if both parents have private insurance, the child must also have private insurance.
- If one parent has private health insurance and the other has statutory health insurance, the options depend on the marital status and income of the parents.
- There are separate tariffs for privately insured children; a later switch to statutory health insurance is possible under certain conditions, but there is no entitlement to child sickness benefit.
Private or statutory? Questions and answers about health insurance for children
Health insurance is compulsory in Germany. This also applies to children. However, whether your newborn child is automatically covered by statutory health insurance, whether you have to take out private health insurance or whether you have a free choice depends on various factors. We have compiled the most important questions and answers about health insurance for children for you to understand.
When is my child covered by statutory family insurance?
If both parents have statutory health insurance, the child can be insured without contributions under certain conditions.
Important to know: Parents with statutory health insurance can voluntarily take out private health insurance for their child if they wish to have a higher level of cover. However, this is subject to contributions.
When does my child need private health insurance?
If both parents have private health insurance, admission to statutory health insurance is not possible. In this case, private health insurance subject to contributions must also be taken out for the child.
One parent has private health insurance, the other parent has statutory health insurance: How is the child insured?
This depends on whether the parents are married or unmarried:
If the parents are not married, they can choose between:
- free family insurance under statutory health insurance or
- private health insurance for the child.
If the parents are married, the following applies:
The child's family insurance generally depends on the income of the privately insured parent.
If this is above the annual income threshold (2026: €77,400 gross per year / €6,450 per month) and above that of the parent with statutory insurance, non-contributory family insurance is excluded. The child must then be insured either privately or "voluntarily" under statutory insurance - and therefore subject to contributions.
What does private health insurance for children cost?
Private health insurance premiums vary depending on the provider. There are usually separate tariffs for children, which are cheaper than the tariffs for adults. The costs depend on the selected tariff and scope of benefits as well as the age and state of health of the child. It is worth comparing prices and tariffs to find the right insurance package.
Does my child have to undergo a health check for private health insurance?
That depends: In the case of a newborn child, there is usually no health check; acceptance is subject to simplified conditions if the child is privately insured within two months of birth.
If private insurance is taken out at a later date, questions are usually asked about the child's state of health. Pre-existing conditions or disabilities may result in premium or risk surcharges, exclusion from benefits or a refusal to take out private health insurance.
Does the employer pay a subsidy for private children's health insurance for children?
Parents with private health insurance in an employment relationship receive an employer subsidy. The employer pays up to 50% of the contributions, including for children's insurance. However, the subsidy is limited. In 2026, the maximum total subsidy for the employee and any co-insured children is €508.59 per month. Parents will have to pay anything above this amount themselves. Regardless of whether the costs are incurred for themselves or for their children.
The self-employed, freelancers and entrepreneurs must pay all contributions for their children themselves. They do not receive a subsidy.
My child is ill: do I get child sickness benefit if my child has private health insurance?
Most parents do not receive a salary from their employer if they look after their sick child at home. If the child has statutory health insurance, parents with statutory health insurance receive child sickness benefit. However, if the child has private health insurance, there is no entitlement to child sickness benefit - unless this benefit has been explicitly agreed. Not even if one parent has statutory health insurance.
Can I deduct the contributions to private health insurance from my taxes?
Yes, contributions to health insurance for children are tax-deductible as long as the parents are liable to pay maintenance.
Can my child switch from private to statutory health insurance?
A change from private to statutory health insurance for children is only possible if an insurance obligation arises, for example when starting training/studying or an employment relationship subject to social insurance contributions.
A change from private to statutory family insurance for children is generally only possible if the income of the privately insured parent is permanently below the annual income threshold or is consistently lower than the income of the parent with statutory insurance.
What happens to my child's private health insurance in the event of separation or divorce?
In the event of separation or divorce, private health insurance initially remains unchanged. A change to the non-contributory family insurance of a legally insured parent is possible under certain conditions, depending on the terms of the contract. Ask your insurance company for advice on this.
Where can I get help and advice?
You can obtain individual advice from insurance brokers. A personal consultation is recommended before the birth so that you have enough time to make a well-considered decision.
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