Losing a tooth doesn’t just affect how you look—it can also impact how you eat, speak, and feel daily.
Dental implants are a popular solution in Germany because they replace missing teeth with a long-lasting, natural-looking alternative.
But they come with one major downside: cost.
A single dental implant in Germany can cost between €1,700 and €3,400, depending on your needs and the complexity of the procedure.
And while public health insurance (GKV) offers limited support, it often covers only a tiny fraction of the total expense.
That’s why understanding how dental implants are priced—and how dental insurance works—is so important.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- What a dental implant is and how it works
- How much dental implants cost in Germany
- What public, private, and supplemental insurance plans cover
- Why prices vary so much
- And more.
By the end, you’ll know what to expect, your options, and how to make the best decision for your dental health and budget.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a solution for replacing missing teeth.
It acts as an artificial tooth root, placed directly into the jawbone, and provides a strong base for a dental prosthesis such as a crown, denture, or bridge.
The implant itself—often made of titanium or ceramic—is called the implant body. Attached to it is an abutment, which serves as a connector. The visible part, called the superstructure, is usually a crown, bridge, or removable denture that screws or cements onto the abutment.
Dental implants can replace one tooth, several teeth, or even an entire row. They blend naturally with existing teeth and restore both function and appearance.
Unlike traditional bridges or dentures, implants don’t rely on neighboring teeth for support. This protects surrounding teeth and helps maintain the jawbone.
When implants are placed, they fuse with the bone and apply natural pressure during chewing, preventing bone shrinkage over time.
What do dental implants cost in Germany?
A single dental implant typically costs between €1,700 and €3,400 in Germany. This includes two main parts:
- The implant (screw): €1,000–€1,400
- The crown (tooth): €700–€2,000
However, the total price can vary depending on your specific needs.
What factors affect the cost of implants?
- Tooth position
The location of the implant matters. Front teeth (incisors) are more visible and require more precision, making them more expensive than back teeth (molars).
- Molar implant: €1,800–€2,500
- Incisor implant: €2,000–€3,500
- Implant material
Most implants are made from titanium, which is strong and cost-effective. Zirconia implants are more natural-looking and biocompatible but often cost a few hundred euros more.
- Number of implants
The more implants you need, the higher the total cost. However, some full-mouth solutions may offer better value per implant.
- Prosthetic quality
Crowns, bridges, or dentures made from higher-quality materials last longer, look more natural, and raise costs.
- Location of your clinic
Dental care is usually more expensive in large cities or high-cost regions.
- Preparatory procedures
Some patients need extra procedures before implants can be placed, especially if there’s bone loss from gum disease or missing teeth.
These can include:
- Bone graft or sinus lift: €300–€1,000
- Extensive bone rebuilding: €500–€1,500
- Tooth extraction or gum treatment: Pricing varies by case
Advanced tools like 3D imaging (DVT scans) or surgical guides may also be recommended. These improve accuracy but increase the cost.
Total cost breakdown
Here’s a sample case to show how expenses can add up:
| Treatment | Estimated cost |
| Bone building | €1,300 |
| 3 implants | €3,900 |
| Three-part bridge | €2,100 |
| Total | ~€7,300 |
This estimate includes implants, preparatory work, and prosthetics. Actual costs will vary depending on your situation.
Does German health insurance cover dental implants?
In general, German health insurance covers part of dental implant costs. However, the amount of coverage depends mainly on two things:
- The type of insurance you have
- Your insurance provider
Let’s break down the four main types of health insurance and their dental implant coverage:
What does public health insurance (GKV) cover?
Statutory (public) health insurance does not cover the cost of dental implants themselves.
However, it does subsidize the dentures that are attached to the implants. More specifically:
- GKV offers a fixed subsidy based on the standard treatment for your dental issue.
- This fixed rate covers 60% of the cost of standard care.
- If you’ve maintained a bonus booklet for at least 5 years, the subsidy increases to 70%; after 10 years, it rises to 75%.
However, there’s a catch…
Implants are not considered standard care under public insurance. Standard care usually means a bridge or denture, not an implant.
So, even if you choose an implant, your insurance will only cover 60% of the cost of the bridge or denture.
Any additional fee for the implant will be charged to you.
Out-of-pocket costs with public health insurance
Let’s say you are missing a tooth in a visible area.
In that case, the “standard treatment” would usually be a metal dental bridge, costing about €800.
Your insurance, like TK, would cover 60%, or €480. You would then pay the remaining 40%, or €320.
But let’s say your preferred treatment is a dental implant, costing around €1,600. In that case, TK still only covers €396, while you must pay the remaining €1,204.
That means public insurance only covers about 24% of the implant’s cost (these are example costs; your expenses will differ).
In rare cases, an implant may be considered “standard care,” and you will thus receive a 60% subsidy on the implant’s cost.
What does supplemental dental insurance cover?
Because public health insurance doesn’t cover dental implants, many add dental insurance for better coverage.
For example, Feather offers two dental plans. The Basic plan does not include implant coverage. This makes it more affordable for people who don’t expect to replace their teeth soon (e.g. if you have historically good oral health).
The Advanced plan, on the other hand, covers between 80% and 100% of implant costs (you choose how much).
The Advanced plan gives you up to €1,500 yearly for dental work. If you don’t use it, the amount rolls over. After three years without any claims, you could have up to €4,500 available. After five years, coverage becomes unlimited.
Let’s take a look at some numbers to put this into perspective.
Let’s say your implant (still) costs €1,600.
Public health insurance (like TK) still pays about €480. If you have Feather’s Advanced plan:
- With 100% coverage, you pay nothing out of pocket.
- With 80% coverage, you pay only €224.
In both cases, you pay less than the cost of a bridge with only public insurance—and get a higher-quality solution.
Dental insurance in Germany from €10.90 per month
What does private health insurance cover?
Private health insurance usually covers more but varies by plan and company.
At Feather, here’s how implant coverage looks:
| Plan | Coverage | Feather pays | You pay |
| Standard | 70% | €1,120 | €480 |
| Plus | 80% | €1,280 | €320 |
| Premium | 90% | €1,440 | €160 |
Note: For treatments over €2,500, a cost plan is required. Otherwise, reimbursement above that limit drops to 50%.
What does expat (incoming) insurance cover?
Expat insurance is private health insurance made for people new to Germany.
What it covers depends on the provider and the specific plan you choose.
With Feather’s expat insurance (on the Premium plan), you can get help with dental implants after you’ve had the plan for six months.
You get 80% coverage for implants, up to €1,250 annually.
Feather also offers long-term expat plans. These give yearly dental benefits:
- The Basic plan covers up to €750 per year
- The Premium plan covers up to €1,125 per year.
Keep in mind that these plans only cover new dental problems that happen after your insurance starts.
When should you get dental implants?
Dental implants are a long-term solution for replacing missing teeth, but they’re not right for everyone.
Dentists consider implants only when the natural tooth root is missing or too damaged to support a bridge or denture. Modern dentistry aims to preserve natural teeth, so implants are typically used when no better option is available.
That said, implants are highly versatile. They can replace a single or several teeth or even support full dentures.
The main requirement is a strong, healthy jawbone. A bone graft may be needed if the bone has weakened due to age, gum disease, or long-term tooth loss. This adds time, cost, and complexity to the process.
Certain conditions, like untreated gum disease, can also make implants unsuitable.
Age is another factor.
Implants can last for decades, making them a good investment for people in their 60s or younger. Older adults might choose traditional dentures instead, especially if they want to avoid surgery or the longer healing time implants require.
Cost also plays a significant role.
Implants are rarely covered by public health insurance. Most patients pay out of pocket or through private dental plans. In contrast, bridges and removable dentures are more affordable and often covered by public insurance, making them more accessible.
Still, implants offer significant benefits that can justify the expense.
They feel and function much like natural teeth. Chewing is more manageable, and there’s no slipping or removing them like with dentures. They also require less daily maintenance. While dentures need special cleaning, implants are cared for like regular teeth—with brushing, flossing, and routine dental visits.
Ultimately, if you’re in good health, have a strong jaw, and want a more natural, low-maintenance solution, dental implants might be the right choice—especially if you can cover the cost.
Dental insurance in Germany from €10.90 per month
