On 7 October 2026 the federal government approved the social insurance thresholds for 2027. The contribution ceiling for health and long-term care insurance rises from €5,812.50 to €6,375 a month (€76,500 a year). Besides the regular wage adjustment, this includes a one-off extra increase of €300 a month. The compulsory insurance threshold, above which employees can switch to private health insurance, rises to €7,012.50 a month (€84,150 a year). The Bundesrat still has to approve the regulation.
What this means in euros (your share only, per month, before tax): if you earn €6,375 gross or more, contributions are charged on €562.50 more. For health insurance that is around €47 to €53 more a month, depending on your insurer's additional contribution – around €49 at the 2.9% average. The higher long-term care contribution comes on top. Below €5,812.50 gross, the ceiling changes nothing for you.
The additional contribution matters most at high incomes: At the ceiling, one percentage point difference is around €32 a month – your share only. Benefits differ, so compare contributions and benefits.
Source: Federal Government: approved by cabinet · German Pension Insurance on the cabinet decision of 7 Oct 2026 · Bundesrat printed paper 576/26 · BMAS – Social Insurance Thresholds Regulation 2027 · own calculation · Contribution ceiling 2027 explained