The German social insurance system consists of four main components: statutory health insurance, statutory long-term care insurance, social pension insurance and statutory unemployment insurance. This is an introduction to the German social insurance system.

The general mandatory healthcare insurance applies to all people living in Germany, regardless of the profession or group of people.
In the statutory health insurance are insured (to name just a few):

• employees with a gross salary of less than €5,550.00 per month (as of 2023)
• recipients of unemployment benefits
• students in public universities
• pensioners

Certain other categories of persons like public officials, self employed persons or freelancers are refered to the system of private health insurance (see below) or are free to choose among those two systems.

To a large extent, statutory health insurance is financed by the contributions of its members. The contribution rate policyholders must pay for receiving benefits to maintain, restore or improve their state of health is calculated as a percentage of their gross salary.

All contributions are paid into a healthcare fund, which redistributes the money to the health insurers according to their different client profiles.

Statutory health insurance companies which do not receive enough money from the healthcare fund can require an auxiliary contribution of their members.

The basic contribution rate as of 2023 amounts to 14.6% of gross salary. From 1 January 2023 Audi BKK requires an additional auxiliary contribution of only 1.25% (employee: 7.3%, employer: 7.3%).
Compared to other insurance companies, Audi BKK keeps the contribution rates below-average. Contributions are calculated up to €4,987.50 per month.

Two different health insurance systems in Germany

• Statutory health insurance is regulated by the German state. Spouse and children can get co-insured under statutory insurance free of charge.
• Private health insurance plans can only be accessed in certain cases, for example, if one´s salary exceeds a certain amount (2023: €66,600 per year). Under private insurance, each family member is insured separately.

Contributions to a private health insurance plan depend on one´s age and risk profile, and thus state of health. Therefore, people with a poor risk profile will face worse insurance conditions than those that are a “good risk”.
Consequently, each person should compare the pros and cons of both systems thoroughly.

The employees of Audi BKK will gladly help you.

How to receive medical treatment under statutory health insurance

In case of illness, you can get open access and medical help free of charge by presenting your insurance card at each physician or hospital visit.

Specific features of Audi BKK

Audi BKK offers all the benefits of statutory health insurance. Your needs and wishes are our main concern.

The acquisition of statutory long-term care insurance is mandatory for all health insured persons. This insurance branch covers costs for long-term care which might arise from accidents, diseases or for reasons of age.

Long-term care insurance is linked to your health insurance and therefore taken out at the same company.

The rate of contribution is uniform throughout Germany. Contributions to long-term care insurance amount to 3.05% of one’s gross income. The contributions are split 50-50 between employer and employee and are deducted from one’s salary. Childless individuals must pay an additional 0.35% (as of 2023) from the age of 23 onwards.

Contributions are only calculated up to €4.987,50 per month (as of 2023).

Social pension insurance ensures the payment of pensions. All employees must contribute to the national pension insurance system.

In 2023, contributions amount to 18.6% of the gross income up to an upper limit of €7,300 (€7,100 in the eastern states of Germany) and are split 50-50 between employer and employee.

It is every employee’s duty in Germany to participate in the statutory unemployment insurance system.

Per month, 2.6% of one’s gross income up to a maximum of €7,300 (€7,100 in the eastern states of Germany) is paid as contributions (as of 2023). The overall contributions are split 50-50 between employer and employee.