Substitute funds 2026 – TK, BARMER, DAK & more
The 6 substitute funds are nationwide statutory health insurers originally focused on specific occupational groups. Today, anyone can become a member. They are among the largest statutory health insurers in Germany.
| # | Health Insurance | Supplementary | Total Rate | Region | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | hkk - Handelskrankenkasse | 2,19 % | 16,79 % | Bundesweit | Details |
| 2 | Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) | 2,69 % | 17,29 % | Bundesweit | Details |
| 3 | HEK - Hanseatische Krankenkasse | 2,89 % | 17,49 % | Bundesweit | Details |
| 4 | BARMER | 3,29 % | 17,89 % | Bundesweit | Details |
| 5 | KKH Kaufmännische Krankenkasse | 3,78 % | 18,38 % | Bundesweit | Details |
As of: May 2026. Sorted ascending by supplementary contribution. Total = general rate (14,6%) + supplementary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are substitute funds (Ersatzkassen)?
Substitute funds are nationwide statutory health insurers. Originally founded for specific occupational groups (e.g., Techniker for technical professions), they are open to anyone today. The 6 substitute funds are TK, BARMER, DAK-Gesundheit, KKH, HEK and hkk.
Which substitute fund is the largest?
Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) is the largest substitute fund with over 11 million members – and the largest statutory health insurer in Germany overall.
What distinguishes substitute funds from BKKs or AOKs?
Substitute funds are nationwide and open to all insured persons – AOKs are regional, BKKs are often company-bound. Statutory benefits are identical across all health insurers; differences lie in supplementary benefits, service and contribution rate.
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