Dental insurance in Germany explained: what statutory health insurance pays and when supplementary dental cover can make sense

What does statutory health insurance pay for dental prosthetics?

For dental prosthetics (Zahnersatz) such as crowns and bridges, your statutory health insurer pays a fixed subsidy (Festzuschuss) based on the diagnosis, not on the solution you choose.

Before treatment, the practice draws up a treatment and cost plan (Heil- und Kostenplan) for the insurer to review. An approved plan is usually valid for six months.

The subsidy is currently 60 per cent of the average cost of standard care (Regelversorgung). With a complete bonus booklet (Bonusheft) it rises:

• five years without gaps: 70 per cent
• ten years without gaps: 75 per cent
• without gaps means one check-up per calendar year from age 18, and one per half-year under 18

From 2027: the subsidy falls

Under the GKV-Beitragssatzstabilisierungsgesetz, the rates fall by 10 percentage points from 1 January 2027: to 50, 60 and 65 per cent. Subsidies approved before that date keep the current rates, and the hardship rule remains.

A supplementary policy taken out now will usually not pay for treatment that has already been recommended or planned.

Your own share and the hardship rule

Your own share (Eigenanteil) is what you pay after the subsidy – with standard care currently around 40 per cent, according to the Verbraucherzentrale. With a more elaborate solution, such as an implant, the subsidy stays the same and you pay the rest.

On a low income you can apply for the hardship rule (Härtefallregelung); the insurer then pays the full cost of standard care. For 2026 the limit for a single person is 1,582 euros gross a month, higher with dependants. Certain social benefits or BAföG may also qualify you.

What can supplementary dental insurance cover?

It is private cover for people with statutory health insurance and can pay part of what remains after the subsidy; some basic policies only cover your own share.

Depending on the policy, benefits can include:

• prosthetics, including solutions beyond standard care
• implants and inlays
• fillings and root canal treatment
• professional teeth cleaning
• orthodontics not paid for by the statutory insurer

Key terms explained

Terms you will often see:

• Waiting period (Wartezeit): time in which nothing is paid yet; by law at most eight months for dental treatment. Many policies shorten or waive it.
• Early-year caps (Zahnstaffel): many policies only pay up to fixed amounts in the first years.
• Reimbursement rate (Erstattungssatz): check whether it refers to the whole bill, only the remaining cost or merely a doubling of the subsidy.
• Health questions (Gesundheitsfragen): answer them fully and truthfully, or your cover may be at risk.
• Recommended or ongoing treatment: usually not covered, even without a waiting period.

When can supplementary dental cover make sense?

The Verbraucherzentralen do not count it among the essential policies. It can make sense if high-quality prosthetics such as implants matter to you and you can afford the premiums long term. As only new diagnoses are covered, Stiftung Warentest suggests signing up while your teeth are healthy, but advises people on a very low income against it.

Compare benefits, waiting periods, early-year caps and whether premiums rise with age.

Cancelling and switching

Under section 205 of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG) you can cancel at the end of an insurance year with three months' notice, unless a minimum term is still running. After a premium increase under an adjustment clause, you can cancel within two months of the notice. With a new policy, waiting periods and caps usually start again.

This article is general information and does not replace individual advice.