Dental insurance in Germany: costs, cover and waiting times

Today, it is important for everyone to have strong, white, straight teeth. And this is not just a matter of health. It is about a good mood and self-confidence. A smile attracts people, inspires trust, and relieves stress.

Unfortunately, daily hygiene routines alone cannot protect our teeth from tooth decay, tartar, and age-related wear. To keep your healthy, white smile, it is essential to visit a highly qualified dentist regularly.

But doesn't statutory health insurance (GKV) cover dental treatment?

Treatment often turns out to be very expensive, and state health insurance in Germany covers only a small part and, as a rule, the most basic solutions to the problem. Supplementary dental insurance is designed to cover high-quality, modern treatment using highly effective and durable materials.

We have selected over 10 insurance companies for our comparison, but if you need a free personal consultation, leave a request using the button below or message us on Telegram: t.me/Finber_de

Video: How to arrange dental insurance - a step-by-step guide

Make sure to take out dental insurance before the end of the year

And get double dental coverage starting from January 2026

How much do dental services cost in Germany, and what does supplementary dental insurance cover?

Professional teeth cleaning prevents oral and jaw diseases, and ensures the health and preservation of teeth. It is typically carried out 1-2 times a year. Cost €90-150*.
Whitening ensures a radiant smile. The cost is €450 - €500.

Light-cured filling or made of another quality material to match the tooth colour. Cost €80-150.
Treatment of pulpitis and root canal filling. Cost 400-1500 €.
Periodontal disease treatment (gum inflammation) involves several visits. The cost of the course is from €1300.

Crowns, bridges, microprostheses, and removable prosthetics. The cost of a single zirconium crown is €700–1200. Prosthetics for the loss of 3–4 teeth can easily exceed €4000.
Manufacture and installation of implants. Cost from €3000.

Diagnosis and treatment of malocclusions in children and adults. Almost every second child requires this treatment. The earlier this issue is addressed, the less time the treatment will take. Correcting a bite usually takes 1.5 years. Depending on age and the degree of malocclusion (KIG), it can take up to 3 years.
Treatment using both metal and ceramic (clear) braces, and the fitting of bite splints.

* Prices are indicative, as of 2026.

Tariff comparison

Today, more than 50 insurance companies are represented on the market. The service packages offered by them are very diverse.
But first and foremost, attention must be paid to the sum insured:

Insurance cover percentage: from 70% to 100% of the costs.
Insurance coverage amount in the first year of insurance: from €800 to €1,500.
Annual insurance cover increment step: from €800 to €1,500. Over four years, this amount can reach €6,000.
Typically, from the fifth year of insurance, the insurance coverage amount is unlimited.
When moving to another company, the size of the insurance cover often disappears. But there are exceptions – some companies offer to partially retain this limit.

Стоматологический блок можно дополнить стационарным тарифом Stationär — он отвечает за палату и лечащего врача в больнице.

Insurance cover does not apply to current, recommended and planned dental procedures!

We provide recommendations based on a comparison of the cover offered by each policy and our experience of dealing with the companies when a claim arises. For the purposes of comparison, we have selected the most popular packages offering cover for 100% expenses and instantaneous.

The calculation has been made for a 35-year-old with all teeth present, except for wisdom teeth, and no current treatment.

We reviewed one tariff separately: Concordia ZAHN SORGLOS: first-year limits and surcharges for missing teeth – one of the few tariffs where the reimbursement caps are lifted entirely from the fourth year.

For the treatment of an already established diagnosis in the Bavarian There is an add-on to the main tariffs.

More details

Hurry before the end of the year - what is the deadline for taking out dental insurance to get double coverage from January
Allianz, Barmenia, die Bayerische, Janitos, Münchener Verein, Nürnberger, Ottonova by 31/12.
Continentale, LKH, SDK, UKV by 15/12/.
DKV by 10.12.
Generali, Signal Iduna by 30.11.
Concordia by 15/11/.

Orthodontist

Braces are one of the most effective methods for correcting dental anomalies. Statutory health insurance in Germany covers only the most severe cases of malocclusion and pronounced developmental defects, as well as the most budget-friendly materials.

If you require aesthetic correction in adulthood, ceramic or clear braces – private dental insurance will cover a significant part of the treatment costs.

Braces and orthodontics in Germany

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KIG (Orthodontic Indication Group) — classifications of orthodontic treatment need:
KIG 1-2 — a minor malocclusion;
KIG 3 – severe congenital malformations;
KIG 4 — severe congenital malformations;
KIG 5 — the most severe form of malocclusion.

The calculation is made for 35 years of age with all teeth present, except for the wisdom teeth, and no current dental treatment. The services can be combined with GKV. To calculate your personal insurance premium, click the «Apply» button.

The FINBER team is a licensed independent broker. Remuneration for its activities is a commission paid by the company with which the contract is concluded.

The influence of the number of missing teeth on the cost of prosthetics

Practically all policies have restrictions and additional charges due to missing teeth when taking out the contract. If you are missing more than 3 teeth (excluding wisdom teeth), we offer get in touch with Nürnberger.

Dental prosthetics: a guide to choosing insurance

More details

Payment for prosthetics:

Additional options and solutions

If dental treatment has already been prescribed - solutions for ongoing prosthetics and treatment

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If a diagnosis is already in place

Tariff: ZAHN Sofort

As an addition to the tariffs:
Prestige, Plus Prestige, Komfort, Smart.

It will cover treatment that has already been planned and treatment for the diagnosed condition.

Absence of a waiting period for already
recommended or initiated treatment,
The module validity period is expiring
automatically after 2 years*,
The monthly fee is €29.90,
Reimbursement of expenses for dentures and dental treatment,
Orthodontic benefit in the event of an accident.

* Your chosen dental tariff (Prestige
Plus, Prestige, Komfort, or Smart) remains unchanged
after the add-on module ceases to be valid
TEETH immediately.

Limit: 1st year – up to €750,
1st and 2nd year – up to €1500.

With initiated or recommended prosthetics

Tariff: ZAHN 100 (ZP 1)

Up to 3 missing teeth or a recommendation for extraction and/or implantation (indicated as a missing tooth with an extra charge)

Conditions:

Fixed markup for each missing tooth +20% per month.
Implantation The tooth recommended by the doctor is covered by insurance.
Crown consultations prior to contract conclusion are not covered, as the tooth is saved.
Treatment, begun before the conclusion of the contract, not covered.
There is no waiting time.
Covers costs up to the maximum GOZ rate.
Having GKV is compulsory.
The minimum contract term is 1 year.

Limit: 1st year – up to €1,000,
Years 1 and 2 – up to 2,000 euros,
1st–3rd year — up to €3,000,
1st-4th year — up to €4,000,
after 4 years without restrictions.

No-quibble returns

Tariff: Mehr Zahnvorsorge D

For only €10.90 a month
No health questions!

Dental prophylaxis (not limited),
Professional teeth cleaning up to 150 euros per year,
High-quality synthetic fillings,
Root canal treatment and periodontitis treatment,
Pain relief measures,
No waiting period,
Orthodontics for children as well as for adults
in the event of accidents.
Prosthetics are not included in the tariff.

Limit: 1st year – up to €150,
1st and 2nd year – up to €300,
From the third year onwards, without restrictions.

NÜRNBERGER: no questions about missing teeth

Company Nürnberger offers a supplemental dental insurance tariff without health screening questions regarding the number of missing teeth.

Total coverage for prosthodontics (crowns, implants and treatment):
1 year — €1000.
1-2 years — €2000.
1-3 years — €3,000.
Years 1-4 — €4,000.
from the age of 5 — without restrictions.

In this tariff plan, the number of missing teeth does not matter. Calculate the cost and conclude the agreement:

Insurance for diagnosed periodontitis or periodontal disease

Periodontitis and periodontosis are two diseases of the periodontal tissues (the complex of tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth). Both conditions are associated with gum problems and can lead to tooth loss if left untreated.

Unfortunately, many companies do not take out supplemental dental insurance if the client has these diagnoses in their medical history or is currently undergoing treatment.

However, we have selected companies that do not have this restriction.

Current and recommended treatment for periodontosis and periodontitis is not covered

What is important to bear in mind when taking out supplementary dental insurance?

Your age

The younger you are, the lower your monthly contribution will be – from €15 at the age of 20 to €80 after the age of 60.
Insurance companies take different approaches to this issue. There is a system whereby your premium increases automatically once you reach a certain age. Some companies keep the premium fixed, with the amount depending solely on your age at the time the policy was taken out.
For children, there are packages with a contribution amount starting from €1.50 per month.

Number of missing teeth

The absence of a single tooth at the time of concluding the contract, excluding wisdom teeth, is normal for concluding the contract. The absence of 2 or more teeth requires a special approach and the search for special packages. Not all insurance companies conclude contracts in this case or offer packages with non-standard conditions.
If you have previously had a crown, implant or other dental prosthesis fitted, this tooth is not considered missing.

General information:

A supplementary dental insurance policy can only be taken out if you have statutory health insurance (GKV).
Dental services are covered to the extent provided for by the tariff, within the framework of the scale of fees for dentists (GOZ) and/or doctors (GOÄ) in force in Germany.
The so-called complexity factor (indicated in the treatment invoice) is applied: up to 3.5 times the fee rate for physicians' services, up to 1.3 times the fee rate for laboratory services, and up to 2.5 times the fee rate for medical-technical services.
Example:
You underwent a procedure with a base cost of 300 euros, but due to the hard-to-reach location of the treatment site, severe bleeding and complications during the procedure, the dentist applied a multiplier of 4.5. The total amount payable will be 300 euros * 4.5 = 1,350 euros, of which the insurer will cover the amount up to a rate of 3.5 (subject to the 100% service cover): 300 euros * 3.5 = 1050 euros.

What questions do we answer when concluding a contract?

When entering into a contract, you need to answer several questions. Whether a contract will be concluded with you and on what terms depends on your answers. The insurance company requires truthful information within the scope of the question asked. The set of questions may vary among different companies. Usually, these are:

Is dental prosthetic treatment, root canal treatment and/or periodontal treatment and other conditions currently being carried out, or is it recommended or planned?
Number of missing teeth (excluding wisdom teeth, milk teeth and closed gaps) that have not yet been replaced.

How to take out dental insurance – a step-by-step guide

In this video, we’ll show you how to take out supplementary dental insurance (Zahnzusatzversicherung), using Allianz as an example. It’ll take you no more than 5 minutes.

Ready to apply or do you need help and advice?

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FAQ: most common questions about dental insurance and answers to them

In this video we have tried to provide answers to the most common questions about dental insurance. Brief text answers to the questions can be found below.

Using additional dental insurance: a guide for policyholders

More details

Why do you need supplementary dental insurance (Zahnzusatzversicherung)?

Supplementary dental insurance can cover costs that are not covered by the main state one
insurance, such as expensive dental treatment procedures and their prosthetics, professional care and aesthetics
procedures.

How much does supplementary dental insurance cost in Germany?

The cost of the insurance varies depending on age, current dental health status, the tariff and insurance company, as well as the coverage you choose. On average, this amount ranges from 10 to 40 euros per month.

How and which insurance company to choose?

The choice of insurance company depends on your individual situation. Ready-made solutions are provided on this page above.

When is the best time to take out dental insurance?

It is best to take out insurance as early as possible to avoid
restrictions related to age or existing medical conditions.
The main condition is that there was none before the conclusion
diagnosed problems and treatment plan from the doctor. That is to say,
First the insurance is taken out, and then the trip to the dentist!

When can you visit the dentist after taking out insurance, and what is a «waiting period» (Wartezeit)?

«Wartezeit is the waiting period that is usually required after signing an insurance contract before the insurance starts covering costs. the waiting period is completely absent from the tariffs indicated on the page. So, you take it out today, and tomorrow you can already go for a dental appointment and undergo treatment that will be covered under your chosen plan.

When and how is it possible to terminate the contract?

The contract can usually be cancelled at the end of the insurance period, typically after one to two years. If you are leaving Germany, that is grounds for early termination of the contract.

What criteria should be considered when choosing a tariff plan?

When choosing a tariff, we base our decision on two main important questions:

— the number of missing teeth (excluding «wisdom teeth»), and
— do you require orthodontic treatment (bite correction, braces)?

It is also important to bear in mind the limits on reimbursement of expenses (80%, 90% or 100% cover).

Does the insurance cover treatment that has already been prescribed?

Usually dental insurance doesn't cover treatment that was scheduled before the policy came into effect. If there are any diagnosed conditions, it is better to treat them first and only then take out insurance.

What is a factor and how does a doctor use it when calculating the cost of treatment?

This is the coefficient for calculating the cost of services; it is increased from 1 upwards in cases of labour-intensive treatment, high qualification of the doctor, and the use of special equipment. Insurance companies usually cover reimbursement up to a factor of 3.5.

Does age affect the cost of insurance?

Yes, age can affect the cost of insurance, as the risk of dental diseases increases with age. The cost of insurance typically changes every 10 years: at 21, 31, 41, 51, and 61 years old.

How does the dental reimbursement process work?

You pay for the dental clinic services yourself, after which you Do you provide invoices for insurance reimbursement? company for confirmation and processing. On average, this takes a few working days.

Is dental insurance necessary for children?

This depends on the individual needs of the child. If orthodontic services (bite correction, braces) are required and you want modern, more aesthetically pleasing and less noticeable braces, then in this case insurance will be useful.