What is Beihilfe?
Beihilfe is the German state's system of partially reimbursing medical expenses for civil servants (Beamte), their eligible spouses, and children. It is not health insurance — it is a state entitlement that covers a percentage of your eligible medical costs.
Because Beihilfe only reimburses a portion, civil servants need private residual-cost insurance (Restkostenversicherung) to cover the remaining gap. This is fundamentally different from how employees compare GKV vs. PKV.
This is not a normal GKV vs. PKV decision
Employees
Compare GKV vs. full PKV. Income-based eligibility (JAEG). Employer pays 50% of either system. The decision: public or private?
Civil Servants
Receive Beihilfe from the state. Only need to insure the remaining 20–50%. No employer subsidy logic. The decision: which Beihilfe-compatible tariff?
If you are an employee comparing GKV and PKV, start here instead →
Common Beihilfe reimbursement structure
Many federal states follow a structure broadly resembling these percentages — but important deviations exist:
| Person | Beihilfe pays | You insure |
|---|---|---|
| Active civil servant (single / married, ≤1 child) | 50% | 50% |
| Civil servant with 2+ children | 70% | 30% |
| Eligible spouse | 70% | 30% |
| Children | 80% | 20% |
| Pensioners (Versorgungsempfänger) | 70% | 30% |
This is a common orientation model, not a universal rule. Always verify with your own Beihilfestelle.
- Sachsen — 90% for spouses and children (not 70%/80%); civil servants with 1 child already receive 70%
- Hessen — uses a sliding scale from 50% to 85% based on family size and retirement status
- Bremen — glasses are not reimbursable via Beihilfe after age 18; hospital comfort is not beihilfefähig; partner income threshold is €12,000 (vs. €22,648 at federal level)
Why Beihilfe rules differ across Germany
There is no single national Beihilfe law. Each federal state (Bundesland) — and the federal government — has its own Beihilfeverordnung (Beihilfe regulation). This means:
- Reimbursement percentages can vary — some states deviate significantly from the 50/70/80 orientation
- Spouse eligibility thresholds differ by state — there is no single nationwide income limit
- Hospital comfort benefits (chief physician, private room) are treated very differently — some states recognize them, some require daily co-payments, others exclude them entirely
- Optical and dental reimbursement gaps vary widely — what Beihilfe considers "eligible" differs by state
- Co-payments and deductibles (Kostendämpfungspauschale) exist in some states but not others
This is why a state-specific advisory approach is essential before choosing a Beihilfe-compatible tariff.
Where real reimbursement gaps appear
A formal Beihilfe percentage of 50% does not mean 50% of your actual invoice is always reimbursed. Significant gaps can appear in practice:
Glasses & optical aids
Many states cap reimbursable amounts well below market prices. The gap often exceeds €200.
Dental lab & materials
Laboratory and material costs frequently exceed what Beihilfe recognizes — especially for high-quality restorations.
Hospital comfort
Chief physician and private rooms are excluded or limited in several states. Daily co-payments may apply.
This is why private residual-cost cover remains essential — even when the headline Beihilfe percentage looks generous. Learn about gap-closing cover →
Who is Beihilfe-compatible insurance for?
Trainee teachers
Referendare entering public service
Police trainees
Starting Beamtenlaufbahn
Civil servants
Federal and state Beamte
Eligible spouses
Subject to state-specific thresholds
Children
Of Beihilfe-entitled parents
Heilfürsorge → Beihilfe
Officers transitioning later
Spouse & child coverage explained → · Trainee civil servants →
ARAG Beihilfe tariff portfolio
ARAG offers a modular system of Beihilfe-compatible tariffs. The core product covers your residual cost; supplementary modules add hospital upgrades and gap-closing cover.
BeihilfeBest
Core residual-cost tariff. Comprehensive outpatient, inpatient, and dental.
BeihilfeKlinik
Hospital supplement: 2-bed room, chief physician treatment.
BeihilfeEinbett
Single-room hospital upgrade on top of BeihilfeKlinik.
BeihilfeErgänzungBest
Gap-closing cover for optical, dental lab, and more.
Get your personal Beihilfe consultation
We help civil servants find the right residual-cost coverage — in English, with state-specific guidance.