TK or BARMER: Which Is Better in Germany? (2026)
The short answer
TK is the cheaper fund on every recorded figure: a 2.69% Zusatzbeitrag against 3.29%, EUR 386.57 a month against EUR 397.07 on the same 2026 employee profile, and EUR 146.29 against EUR 151.42 for students. Cover, waiting period and visa acceptance are identical.
Row by row
Fees verified August 2026 against each provider's published data
| Criterion | TK | BARMER |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium on the tested profileWhat the policy costs on one identical profile | EUR 386.57Wins | EUR 397.07 on the same 2026 employee profile |
| ZusatzbeitragThe fund-set surcharge on top of the 14.6% statutory rate | 2.69%Wins | 3.29% |
| Student rateThe flat rate students pay instead of an income share | EUR 146.29 a monthWins | EUR 151.42 a month |
So which one
Pick TK if
- Price decides: EUR 386.57 a month against EUR 397.07, a gap of EUR 10.50 on the same profile.
Pick BARMER if
- You are already enrolled at BARMER: the cover, the 0-month waiting period and the 12-month binding are identical, so switching buys only the EUR 10.50 monthly difference.
Other comparisons
5 more pairsHow we compared these two
The criteria are fixed
Every comparison on this site uses the same 3 rows in the same order, so two pages can be read against each other. We do not add a row because one side happens to win it.
A win is a stated threshold
A row is won on the published number or capability, not on judgement. Ties are declared rather than broken. Figures come from provider price lists and official sources.
How we get paid
Both links earn a commission at the same rate, so the winner of a row is never the higher-paying one. Fees come from each provider's own published price list, not a comparison feed.
Sources: provider price lists and official data, accessed August 2026. Next review: November 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, TK or BARMER?
TK is the cheaper fund on every recorded figure: a 2.69% Zusatzbeitrag against 3.29%, EUR 386.57 a month against EUR 397.07 on the same 2026 employee profile, and EUR 146.29 against EUR 151.42 for students. Cover, waiting period and visa acceptance are identical.
When should I pick TK?
Price decides: EUR 386.57 a month against EUR 397.07, a gap of EUR 10.50 on the same profile.
When should I pick BARMER?
You are already enrolled at BARMER: the cover, the 0-month waiting period and the 12-month binding are identical, so switching buys only the EUR 10.50 monthly difference.
Community Q&A