Insurer comparison
BARMER or BKK firmus?
Contributions compared, 2026.
In 2026 BARMER charges an additional contribution of 3.29%, BKK firmus 2.18%. BKK firmus is cheaper: on €4,000 gross that comes to €266 a year for you. Benefits and service differ, so compare both. BKK firmus is only open in certain federal states, see the table.
Author: Jan Ortgies · As of 11 November 2026 · If a switch comes about through our comparison, we receive a fee from the new insurer, not from you.
Overview
BARMER and BKK firmus at a glance
| BARMER | BKK firmus | |
|---|---|---|
| Additional contribution 2026 | 3.29% | 2.18% |
| Total contribution rate | 17.89% | 16.78% |
| Your share on €3,000 gross | €268.35 | €251.70 |
| Your share on €4,000 gross | €357.80 | €335.60 |
| Your share on €5,000 gross | €447.25 | €419.50 |
| Open | nationwide | Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt |
| Additional contribution 2027 | Not yet known; most insurers decide in December. | According to its own announcement of 18 August 2026, BKK firmus plans to keep its additional contribution for 2027 at no more than 2.18% – provided lawmakers make no further fundamental changes to how statutory health insurance is financed. |
Additional contributions from the GKV-Spitzenverband list of insurers, as of 1 November 2026. Your share: 7.3% plus half the additional contribution, per month, without long-term care insurance, before tax, our own calculation without guarantee.
In euros
What the difference means in euros
Your share of health insurance per month. From €5,812.50 gross the contribution no longer rises.
| Gross per month | BARMER (3.29%) | BKK firmus (2.18%) | Difference per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| €2,000 | €178.90 | €167.80 | €133 |
| €3,000 | €268.35 | €251.70 | €200 |
| €4,000 | €357.80 | €335.60 | €266 |
| €5,000 | €447.25 | €419.50 | €333 |
| €6,000 | €519.93 | €487.67 | €387 |
Calculate the contribution for your salary and any insurer →
Benefits
And the benefits?
- Statutory benefits
- The benefits you are legally entitled to are regulated in the same way at every insurer. They include doctors, hospital, medication and sickness benefit.
- Extra benefits
- This is where insurers differ: for example dental cleaning, osteopathy, travel vaccinations, bonus programmes or optional tariffs. What BARMER and BKK firmus offer is set out in their rules (Satzung) and changes more often than the contribution. The comparison calculator below shows the current benefits side by side.
- Service
- We do not rate availability, apps or local branches here. If that matters to you, ask both insurers directly.
- Our advice
- First check which extra benefits you actually use. If you use none, the contribution decides. Comparing benefits: how to go about it →
Switching
Switching from BARMER to BKK firmus or the other way round
- How switching works
- You apply to the new insurer and it reports the switch to the old one. You do not have to cancel yourself.
- Notice period
- As a rule you must have been a member for twelve months. The switch takes effect at the end of the month after next: if your application arrives in November, you are with the new insurer from 1 February.
- Contribution increase
- If your insurer raises the additional contribution, you can switch earlier, provided your application arrives by the end of the month for which the higher contribution first applies.
- More on this (German rules explained)
- BARMER
More comparisons
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FAQ
Questions about BARMER and BKK firmus
Is BARMER or BKK firmus cheaper?
How much do I save between BARMER and BKK firmus?
Which is better, BARMER or BKK firmus?
Do you receive a fee from both insurers?
This page compares the contribution only, based on our own calculation and without guarantee. Benefits and service differ and are not rated here. This page does not replace advice.
Sources: GKV-Spitzenverband list of insurers · § 175 SGB V · § 242 SGB V
Why is the comparison free?
The comparison and advice on statutory health insurance cost you nothing. If a switch comes about through us, we receive remuneration from the new health insurer; our partner VGK24 may also pay us for enquiries – not you. Your contribution is the same as if you switched directly with the insurer, and you enter into no obligation.
for the comparison
You don't have to cancel your old health insurance yourself. Your new insurer handles the entire cancellation. You just briefly tell your employer which insurer you're switching to – the new insurer then sends them the membership certificate (Mitgliedsbescheinigung) electronically.
The entire switch happens online. No public office, no fax, no waiting room. Your membership application takes just a few minutes to submit online.
All statutory health insurers open nationwide are obliged to accept members – with no health check and no waiting period. Company health insurers (Betriebskrankenkassen) may be restricted to certain groups of people.