For expats & newcomers · 2026 guide

Income protection in Germany — Berufsunfähigkeit, explained in English.

Income protection in Germany — Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung (BU) — pays you a monthly pension if illness or injury means you can no longer do your job. The state pension only covers near-total inability to work any job, so private BU fills a big gap. It is cheaper the younger and healthier you are, because you must answer health questions when you apply.

Find my insurance expert Free · English-friendly · No obligation

5,141+ verified experts

60–80% of net income to insure

€0 our service is free

The comparison

BU vs the state pension vs Grundfähigkeit

People often assume the state will catch them. It won’t, in most cases. Here’s how private income protection compares.

	BU (Berufsunfähigkeit)	State pension	Grundfähigkeit
Pays out if you can't do YOUR job	Yes — protects your specific profession	No — only near-total inability for any job	Only if a listed basic ability is lost
Benefit	A monthly pension you choose (BU-Rente)	Low state pension (often not enough)	A monthly pension, narrower triggers
Best for	Most employees & freelancers	Everyone (but a safety floor only)	Manual workers or those declined for BU
Health questions	Yes — detailed, so apply while healthy	None (automatic)	Yes, often somewhat easier than BU
Cost	Moderate, lower the younger you start	Mandatory contributions	Often cheaper than BU

Inclusions and triggers depend on your tariff. Figures are 2026 orientation values — confirm with a licensed expert.

Für wen geeignet?

Who needs income protection?

Anyone who relies on their salary — which is almost everyone who works.

Employees

Your income is your biggest asset. State protection is minimal, so private BU is the standard way to protect it if you can no longer work.

Freelancers & self-employed

You have no employer sick pay and often no state pension — income protection is one of the most important policies you can hold.

Young & healthy people

Counter-intuitively, this is the best time to buy: premiums are lowest and you can still pass the health questions.

Students & apprentices

Locking in cover early (some policies start during studies) secures a low premium and your insurability for the future.

Kosten 2026

What it costs in 2026

Premiums depend heavily on age, health and occupation. Starting young and healthy is the single biggest saving.

Office worker, age ~25 ≈ €30–60 / month for a solid BU-Rente

Office worker, age ~40 ≈ €60–120 / month

Manual / higher-risk occupation Higher — Grundfähigkeit may be an alternative

Recommended BU-Rente (benefit) Aim for ~60–80% of your net income

Häufige Fehler

Common mistakes to avoid

Waiting until you are older or have a health condition — premiums rise sharply and you may be declined or excluded.
Setting the monthly benefit (BU-Rente) too low — aim for around 60–80% of your net income.
Answering health questions carelessly — inaccuracies can void your cover when you claim. Be precise.
Relying on the state pension — it only pays if you can barely work in any job at all, which is a very high bar.
Cancelling cover during a tight month — re-applying later means new health questions and a higher premium.

Nächster Schritt

Protect your income — properly, in English.

Income protection is a complex product where the health questions and the wording really matter — and it’s cheapest while you’re young and healthy. A verified, English-friendly insurance expert near you can guide you through it — neutral, with no obligation. Versipedia is free for you.

Start the free 60-second check ← Back to: all insurances in Germany

FAQ

Income protection in Germany — common questions

What is Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung (BU) in Germany?

Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung (BU) is income-protection or disability insurance. It pays you a monthly pension (BU-Rente) if illness or injury means you can no longer work in your profession — typically if you are at least 50% unable to do your job. It is the main way people in Germany protect their income, because state protection is limited.

Do I really need disability insurance in Germany?

For most working people, yes. Your ability to earn is usually your biggest financial asset, and the German state pension only pays out if you can barely work in any job at all. Private BU protects your specific profession and replaces income if you become unable to work. It is especially important for freelancers, who have no employer safety net.

How much does income protection cost in Germany in 2026?

Premiums depend mainly on your age, health and occupation. A healthy office worker in their mid-twenties might pay around €30–60 per month for a solid monthly benefit, rising to roughly €60–120 by their forties. Manual or higher-risk occupations cost more. Starting young and healthy is by far the cheapest route.

Why should I take out BU while I am young and healthy?

Because you must answer detailed health questions to be accepted, and premiums are based on your age and health when you apply. Buying young and healthy means a lower premium for the whole term and avoids exclusions or rejection due to conditions you might develop later. It locks in your insurability.

What is the difference between BU and Grundfähigkeitsversicherung?

BU (Berufsunfähigkeit) pays out if you can no longer do your specific job. Grundfähigkeitsversicherung instead pays if you lose certain basic abilities (such as walking, seeing or using your hands), with narrower triggers. Grundfähigkeit is often cheaper and can be a good alternative for manual workers or people who are declined for BU.

Can I get income-protection advice in English?

Yes. Many independent insurance experts in Germany speak English and specialise in income protection, which is a complex product worth getting right. Versipedia is a neutral directory of verified experts across Germany — find one near you, read reviews and contact them directly. We do not sell insurance and it is free for you to use.

Find an expert near you

English-friendly insurance experts across Germany

Wherever you live — Berlin, Munich, Hamburg or a smaller town — find verified, independent insurance experts in your city. Many speak English and specialise in income protection.

Insurance experts in Berlin Insurance experts in Hamburg Insurance experts in Köln Insurance experts in Dortmund Insurance experts in München Insurance experts in Wuppertal Insurance experts in Essen Insurance experts in Hannover Insurance experts in Braunschweig Insurance experts in Leipzig Insurance experts in Frankfurt am Main Insurance experts in Dresden

Disclaimer: Versipedia is a neutral directory and information platform. We are not an insurance broker, we do not sell insurance and we do not give individual insurance advice. This guide is general information for orientation only and not a substitute for personal advice from a licensed expert. Figures reflect 2026 and may change.

Your income is worth protecting.

Answer a few questions and meet a verified, English-friendly expert near you. Free, neutral, no obligation.

Start the free 60-second check