German health insurance 2027: Official top-up rate stays 2.9% – many already pay more

For people with statutory health insurance in Germany, the calculated supplementary contribution will remain unchanged in 2027. The so-called estimating group of the Federal Health Ministry, the Federal Office for Social Security and the GKV umbrella association of health funds again set the average supplementary rate at 2.9% on Oct. 14, 2026, the Protestant news agency epd reported. It comes on top of the general rate of 14.6%; employees and employers each pay half of both. For 2027, the panel expects health fund revenue of 320.7 billion euros and spending of 378.1 billion euros, with the supplementary contribution meant to close the gap.

The average, however, is purely a calculated figure. What members actually pay is set by each fund, which can also raise it during the year. According to the GKV umbrella association, the supplementary rate actually charged rose on average from 2.94% to 3.13% at the start of 2026, Cash-Online reported on Oct. 15, 2026. The association's list of 93 funds (as of Oct. 10, 2026) shows rates ranging from 2.18% to 4.39%.

Fund representatives expect an actual average of at least 3.1% for 2027 as well, Cash-Online reported. For illustration: on a gross monthly wage of 3,500 euros, 2.9% amounts to 101.50 euros, of which the employee pays half, or about 50.75 euros. In this example, every additional percentage point costs the employee another 17.50 euros a month. The rates individual funds will charge for 2027 have not yet been set.