Until the end of July 2026
If a health insurer raised its additional contribution, it had to write to its members and point out the special right of termination.
Your health insurer is raising its contribution?
How to find out in time.
Since 30 July 2026 your health insurer no longer has to write to you when it raises the additional contribution. You can still switch, but only for a short time. Here you can see how to find out about an increase, until when you can give notice and how the contribution alert can inform you by email.
What has changed
A letter about a contribution increase is no longer mandatory
Since 30 July 2026
This obligation no longer applies. Your insurer may still inform you of its own accord, but it does not have to. The right to give notice remains.
What happens next
On 15 October 2026 the Bundestag decided to reintroduce the duty to inform. The Bundesrat has not yet dealt with it, and it is open from when it would apply.
How to find out
Four ways to notice an increase
Your health insurer’s website
This is where the current additional contribution is shown. Insurers usually set contributions for 1 January in November and December. However, you have to check regularly yourself.
List of all insurers
The GKV-Spitzenverband (National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds) keeps a list of the additional contributions of all health insurers. Our overview shows the rates with their date.
Additional contributions of all insurers →Payslip or pension
If the contribution goes up, you will see it on your payslip. But that can be late, because the deadline is already running. As a pensioner you often notice it only later on your pension payment.
Switching insurer as a pensioner →Contribution alert
You choose your insurer once and confirm your email address. If it raises the additional contribution or changes supplementary benefits, you receive an email.
Set up the alert →The deadline
Until when you can give notice after an increase
If your insurer becomes more expensive, you have a special right of termination. So you can switch to another insurer, but only for a short time.
Until the end of the month
You can give notice until the end of the month from which the higher contribution applies. If your insurer raises its rate on 1 January, that is 31 January.
No 12-month commitment
Normally you are tied to your insurer for 12 months. After an increase you may leave earlier. Exception: if you have the optional sickness benefit tariff (Wahltarif Krankengeld), the special right of termination does not apply.
The new insurer takes over
You apply for membership with the new insurer, and it informs the old one. You briefly tell your employer about the new insurer yourself.
How switching works →Example: if your insurer raises its rate on 1 January and you give notice in January, your new membership starts on 1 April. Until then you still pay the higher contribution.
Contribution alert
Your insurer doesn’t have to tell you. VGK24’s contribution alert can do that instead.
You receive an email when your health insurer raises the additional contribution or changes supplementary benefits.
- Choose your insurer
- Confirm your email address
- Get notified of any change – with a link to the comparison
Free of charge for you, unsubscribe at any time. Sign-up takes place on the website of our comparison partner VGK24; if you later switch through us, we receive remuneration from the new insurer.
31 Jan
Termination deadline for an increase on 1 January
Not just the contribution
Also when supplementary benefits change
Most benefits are set by law. In addition, insurers offer supplementary benefits, for example subsidies for professional teeth cleaning or travel vaccinations. They can introduce or drop these, and the contribution alert informs you about that too.
Important: the special right of termination only applies to a contribution increase. If only supplementary benefits change, you can switch in the normal way once you have been a member for 12 months.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about contribution increases
Does my health insurer have to inform me about a contribution increase?
Not at present. The former duty to inform ended on 30 July 2026. On 15 October 2026 the Bundestag decided to reintroduce it; the Bundesrat has not yet dealt with it. Until then your insurer does not have to write to you separately when it raises the additional contribution. The special right of termination remains.
Until when can I give notice after a contribution increase?
Until the end of the month from which the higher contribution applies. If your insurer raises its rate on 1 January, you can give notice until 31 January. The 12-month minimum membership does not apply then. Exception: if you have the optional sickness benefit tariff (Wahltarif Krankengeld), the special right of termination does not apply.
What happens if I miss the deadline?
Then you remain a member and pay the higher contribution. The special right of termination for this increase has ended. You can then switch in the normal way once you have been a member for 12 months. Contributions already paid are not refunded.
What is the contribution alert?
A free email service from our comparison partner VGK24. You choose your health insurer and confirm your email address. If your insurer raises the additional contribution or changes supplementary benefits, you receive a message.
What data do I need for the contribution alert?
Only the name of your health insurer and your email address. Sign-up takes place on the VGK24 website, where you confirm your address by email. You can unsubscribe at any time. Your address is processed by VGK24 and by us as your intermediary; details are in the privacy policy.
Can I be sure I will notice every increase?
No, the contribution alert is a help, not a guarantee. So it is best to also check your insurer’s additional contribution in December and January, because that is when most contributions change.
Can I give notice if my insurer only drops benefits?
The special right of termination only applies when the additional contribution is raised. If only supplementary benefits change, you can switch in the normal way once you have been a member for 12 months.
What does it cost?
Nothing for you. The contribution alert, comparison and application are free of charge. If a membership comes about through us, we receive a fee from the health insurer, not from you.
Sources: Section 175(4) SGB V, Act on Stabilising GKV Contribution Rates of 24 July 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I No. 228), Bundestag resolution of 15 October 2026, list of health insurers by the GKV-Spitzenverband. Author: Jan Ortgies. As of: 9 November 2026.