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Uncertain times: Significant premium increases for privately insured people in 2026!
From 2026, contributions for private and statutory health insurance will increase. The causes are higher medical costs and necessary reforms.
Uncertain times: Significant premium increases for privately insured people in 2026!
So, dear readers, what lies ahead for us in healthcare in 2026? The big financial magnets of private and statutory health insurance are getting ready for a further increase in contributions, and that will be quite a chunk. As of January 1, 2026, privately insured and legally insured people will have to prepare for significant premium increases. According to the Association of Private Health Insurance, the average premium increase for around 60% of those with private insurance will be around 13%. Some people will ask themselves: “Why are the costs actually rising?”
One of the main causes is the permanently increasing dynamic in medical spending, which means that private health insurance and statutory health insurance have to increase significantly. Private insurers expect an average monthly contribution of around 617 euros for 2026, while employees with average income in statutory health insurance (GKV) will probably receive close to 770 euros. Meyer, head of the Techniker Krankenkassen, has even warned that the additional contributions from the GKV could exceed the three percent mark.
Increases in detail
If you look at the numbers more closely, it quickly becomes clear that the inpatient area remains the largest cost driver. In 2024, the PKV spent over 10% more on hospital services than in the previous year. The numbers also speak for themselves: between 2022 and 2024, inpatient treatment for privately insured people increased by an impressive 10.9%. On the other hand, the care costs for hospital stays will shoot up to a whopping 27 billion euros in 2024 - an increase of 17.57%.
When it comes to statutory health insurance, the expenses are not negligible either. For the first half of 2025, 166.1 billion euros were spent in the statutory health insurance sector, of which around 49.4 billion euros were spent on hospital treatments alone, an increase of 9.6% compared to the previous year. Drug spending has also increased: 27.2 billion euros means an increase of 6%.
The future of healthcare
A look at what awaits us paints a challenging picture. The federal government has launched a savings package to stabilize costs, but agreement in the Federal Council is stalling. Time is of the essence, because the health insurance companies have to decide on the additional contributions at the beginning of 2026. Experts are calling for comprehensive healthcare reforms to maintain social solidarity and keep rising costs under control. DIA prevention shows that an average adjustment of contributions often only occurs when a deviation of more than 10% from the calculation can be proven.
An open ear for digitalization approaches such as e-health applications could certainly be a solution that can increase efficiency. At the same time, proposals are being worked on to introduce a primary doctor system, which would require a referral from the family doctor for specialist appointments.
In summary, we can say: In 2026 we will face a turbulent time in the healthcare system. Whether statutory or private – contributions are rising, and it remains to be seen which measures will actually take effect in order not to place an even greater burden on citizens. Stay warm, it could be a hot year!