Insurance Comparison 2026
Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)vs.AOK
An independent side-by-side comparison covering benefits, costs, and coverage details.
✓ Based on official policy documents✓ Updated April 2026✓ Independent comparison
| Feature | Most PopularTechniker Krankenkasse (TK)View Details | AOKView Details |
|---|---|---|
| Cost & Contributions | ||
| Total monthly (under 23) | €141.16 | €139.28–€148.09 (AOK Bayern: €141.16)Better |
| Total monthly (23+ childless) | €146.29 | €144.41–€153.22 (AOK Bayern: €146.29)Better |
| Zusatzbeitrag rateAdditional contribution rate set by each insurer | 2.69% | 2.47%–3.50% (varies by region; AOK Bayern: 2.69%) |
| Coverage & Benefits | ||
| Mental health / psychotherapy | Full coverage — psychotherapy, psychiatry, inpatient treatment | Full coverage — psychotherapy, psychiatry, inpatient treatment |
| Dental bonus system | Up to 75% after 10 years of regular checkups | Up to 75% after 10 years of regular checkups |
| Bonus programs | ||
| Bonus amount | Up to €200/year cash (or €400/year as Gesundheitsdividende) | Up to €200/year (varies by regional AOK) |
| Service & Digital | ||
| English support | Excellent — dedicated English hotline (24/7), English TK-App, English website | Limited — depends on regional AOK branch; varies significantly by city |
| Digital services | TK-App (available in English)ePA (electronic patient record)TK-Doc video consultationsOnline health coursesDigital fitness tracking (Google Fit, Samsung Health, Fitbit integration) | AOK App (Mein AOK)ePA (electronic patient record)Online service centerDigital health coursesAOK Gesundheitsnavigator (doctor finder) |
| Members | 12.3 million | 27 million (across all 11 regional AOKs) |
| VisitTechniker Krankenkasse (TK) → | VisitAOK → | |
AOKView Details
Cost & Contributions
Total monthly (under 23)
€141.16
€139.28–€148.09 (AOK Bayern: €141.16)Better
Total monthly (23+ childless)
€146.29
€144.41–€153.22 (AOK Bayern: €146.29)Better
Zusatzbeitrag rate
Additional contribution rate set by each insurer
2.69%
2.47%–3.50% (varies by region; AOK Bayern: 2.69%)
Coverage & Benefits
Mental health / psychotherapy
Full coverage — psychotherapy, psychiatry, inpatient treatment
Full coverage — psychotherapy, psychiatry, inpatient treatment
Dental bonus system
Up to 75% after 10 years of regular checkups
Up to 75% after 10 years of regular checkups
Bonus programs
Bonus amount
Up to €200/year cash (or €400/year as Gesundheitsdividende)
Up to €200/year (varies by regional AOK)
Service & Digital
English support
Excellent — dedicated English hotline (24/7), English TK-App, English website
Limited — depends on regional AOK branch; varies significantly by city
Digital services
TK-App (available in English)ePA (electronic patient record)TK-Doc video consultationsOnline health coursesDigital fitness tracking (Google Fit, Samsung Health, Fitbit integration)
AOK App (Mein AOK)ePA (electronic patient record)Online service centerDigital health coursesAOK Gesundheitsnavigator (doctor finder)
Members
12.3 million
27 million (across all 11 regional AOKs)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
TK costs €141.16/month for students under 23 (or with children). Students aged 23+ without children pay €146.29/month due to the additional nursing care surcharge. This breaks down as: €87.38 base health insurance + €23.00 Zusatzbeitrag (2.69%) + €30.78 nursing care (or €35.91 if childless and 23+).
Yes, TK has the best English support among German public insurers. They offer a 24/7 English-language hotline, the TK-App with English interface, an English website (tk.de/en), and English-speaking staff at many branches. Not all written correspondence is in English, but phone and app support are excellent.
Yes, if you are under 30 and enrolled in a degree program at a German university. You must sign up within the first 3 months of enrollment. Language course and preparatory course (Studienkolleg) students are not eligible for GKV.
TK rewards healthy behavior with up to €200/year in cash (or €400/year as Gesundheitsdividende if reinvested in health products). You earn points for preventive checkups, vaccinations, sports club membership, fitness tracking (via Google Fit, Samsung Health, or Fitbit), and health courses.
All GKV insurers cover the same legally mandated base benefits. TK stands out for international students thanks to its English-language support (24/7 hotline, English app), competitive Zusatzbeitrag (2.69% vs. BARMER's 3.29%), and strong digital services. AOK offers more branch offices, while BARMER excels in telemedicine and mental health extras.
AOK costs vary by region. AOK Bayern (cheapest major region): €141.16/month for students under 23 or €146.29/month for 23+ childless. AOK Nordost (Berlin, most expensive): €148.09/month or €153.22/month. The base is €87.38 + regional Zusatzbeitrag (2.47%–3.50%) + nursing care (€30.78 or €35.91).
English support varies by regional AOK. Some branches in university cities (Munich, Berlin, Hamburg) have English-speaking staff, but it's not guaranteed. There is no dedicated English hotline. For reliable English support, TK is the better choice for international students.
You can join any AOK regardless of where you live, but most students join the regional AOK of their university's federal state. AOK Bayern has the lowest Zusatzbeitrag at 2.69%, while AOK Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland is even cheaper at 2.47%. AOK Nordost (Berlin) is the most expensive at 3.50%.
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