“Since 2009, health insurance has been mandatory for all citizens and permanent residents, either through SHI [Statutory Health Insurance] or private health insurance (PHI). SHI covers 85% of the population – either mandatorily or voluntarily. Cover through PHI is mandatory for certain professional groups (e.g. civil servants), while for others it can be an alternative to SHI under certain conditions (e.g. the self-employed and employees above a certain income threshold). In 2012, the percentage of the population having cover through such PHI was 11%. PHI can also provide complementary cover for people with SHI, such as for dental care. Additionally, 4% of the population is covered by sector-specific governmental schemes (e.g. for the military). People covered by SHI have free choice of sickness funds, and are all entitled to a comprehensive range of benefits.

“Germany invests a substantial amount of its resources in health care. According to the Federal Statistical Office (Statistisches Bundesamt), which provides the latest available data on health expenditure, total health expenditure was €300.437 billion in 2012, or 11.4% of GDP (one of the highest in the EU). This reflects a sustained increase in health care expenditure even following the economic crisis in 2009 (with total health expenditure rising from 10.5% of GDP in 2008).”

Source: Busse R, Blümel M. Germany: health system review. Health Systems in Transition, 2014, 16(2):1–296. http://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/partners/observatory/publications/health-system-reviews-hits/full-list-of-country-hits/germany-hit-2014