Once you are set up with German health insurance (and if you are still deciding public vs private, start with which one to pick), the next real question is: what am I actually entitled to? Can I get a full body check-up? How often? Is the dentist covered? What about a cleaning? Here is the honest, researched answer, with the gaps nobody mentions.
What public insurance (GKV) covers as standard
- Doctor visits: your GP (Hausarzt) and specialists, with no fee per visit.
- Hospital treatment: covered, with a small co-payment of about €10 per day (capped at 28 days a year).
- Prescriptions: covered, with a co-payment of roughly €5 to €10 per item.
- Mental health: therapy and psychiatric care are covered, important given how heavy the first year abroad can be.
- Vaccinations, maternity care, and emergencies.
Body check-ups: yes, and here is how often
- General health check ("Check-up 35"): a once-only general check-up between ages 18 and 34, then a full check every three years from age 35. It screens for things like heart, kidney and diabetes risk.
- Cancer screenings: covered at set ages, for example skin cancer screening, and gender-specific screenings (cervical, breast, prostate, colon) from the relevant ages.
- Dental check-ups: twice a year (more on this below).
So a routine, full annual "body check-up" like some Indian packages offer is not quite how it works here. Germany uses targeted, age-based preventive check-ups rather than a yearly full-body scan, all aimed at catching real risks. If you have a specific concern, you see your Hausarzt and they investigate, that is covered.
Dental: what is covered, and the cleaning catch
| Treatment | Public insurance (GKV) |
|---|---|
| Dental check-up (twice a year) | Covered |
| Basic fillings, extractions | Covered (standard materials) |
| Professional cleaning (PZR) | Usually NOT covered, about €80 to €150 out of pocket; some insurers give a small yearly subsidy |
| Premium (white) fillings, crowns, implants | Partly covered at most; you pay the difference |
| Dentures | A fixed subsidy, increased by your Bonusheft (see below) |
"Cleaning at least?" Here is the deal
A professional cleaning is one of the smartest things you can do for your teeth, but in Germany you will usually pay for it yourself, commonly €80 to €150 per session, once or twice a year. Some public insurers offer a small bonus or partial subsidy toward it, so it is worth asking your insurer (TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK and others differ here). Budget for it as a small out-of-pocket cost rather than assuming it is free.
The Bonusheft: a free trick that pays off later
Where private insurance (PKV) differs
Private insurance is contract-based, so coverage varies, but a good private policy often includes better dental, professional cleaning, faster specialist appointments and private hospital rooms. The trade-offs: you usually pay first and claim back, premiums rise as you age, and switching back to public during your studies is generally not possible (one reason most students stay public, see the public vs private guide).
Want better dental cover? Add a top-up
If good teeth matter to you, many people on public insurance buy a cheap supplementary dental insurance (Zahnzusatzversicherung) for a few euros a month, which covers cleanings and a bigger share of crowns and implants. Note that these often have waiting periods, so take one out before you need expensive work, not after.
FAQ
Can I get a full body check-up on German public insurance?
Not a yearly full-body scan, but you are entitled to a general health check ("Check-up 35", once from 18 to 34 then every three years from 35) plus age-based cancer screenings. For specific concerns, your Hausarzt investigates, and that is covered.
Is the dentist covered in Germany?
Public insurance covers two check-ups a year, basic fillings and extractions. Premium fillings, implants and professional cleaning are not fully covered.
Is teeth cleaning covered?
Usually not. Professional cleaning (PZR) typically costs €80 to €150 out of pocket, though some insurers offer a small subsidy. A cheap supplementary dental policy can cover it.
What is a Bonusheft?
A booklet stamped at each yearly dental check-up. Five years of records raise the denture subsidy to 70%, ten years to 75%. It is free and worth keeping from day one.
Setting up insurance and not sure what to pick? Ask a verified mentor for ₹500 → and read the public vs private guide.
