Fertility support

We help couples struggling to conceive by subsidizing the costs of in vitro fertilisation

There are various reasons for unwanted childlessness. Infertility affects women and men equally. Often, limited fertility in both partners prevents them from having children. In vitro fertilisation can therefore be a solution for childless couples who are unable to conceive naturally.

A couple is sitting together in the park and a man is holding his partner's hand.

In vitro fertilisation – your SBK benefits:

We contribute to the costs of in vitro fertilisation – simply submit the treatment plan issued by your doctor to us.

We also support you with a subsidy for nutritional counselling or health classes. Your SBK consultant will be happy to help you find the right offer.

How much of the costs are covered by SBK?

The first point of contact for couples who are unable to conceive is usually their GP practice, who will then refer them to a specialist’s practice. However, you are also welcome to consult a specialist directly. If you decide to undergo in vitro fertilisation, we will contribute up to 50% of the costs under certain conditions.

We can contribute to the costs of in vitro fertilisation under the following conditions, which are laid down by law:

Before starting treatment, please submit the treatment plan from your specialist’s practice or maternity clinic to us.

There must be both a medical necessity and a reasonable chance that the selected treatment method will result in pregnancy.

You must be married.

You and your spouse must be at least 25 years old.

If you are a woman, you must be younger than 40; and if you are a man, you must be younger than 50.

Only egg and sperm cells from you and your spouse may be used.

How does in vitro fertilisation work?

Pregnancy through in vitro fertilisation can be achieved through various treatments. The first step is a thorough medical consultation, examination and diagnosis. This involves a medical assessment of why the woman has been unable to conceive. Based on the previous examinations, the most suitable method of in vitro fertilisation with the highest chances of success is selected.

In addition to medical causes, psychological and external factors often also affect a couple’s fertility. These include, for example, exhaustion, stress or an unhealthy lifestyle. We are also there for you in these cases: with a subsidy for nutritional counselling or special health classes – for example for relaxation. We would also be happy to support you with other offers tailored to your individual needs. Simply contact your SBK consultant. You can find the contact details here.

How to get in vitro fertilisation:

Before starting treatment, you will receive a treatment plan from your doctor’s practice. Please send this to us by post. You can find our address and a prepaid envelope here.

Once we have approved the treatment plan, treatment can begin. We cover 50 per cent of the treatment costs and the necessary medication. The doctor's practice therefore settles 50% of the costs for the services provided to the spouse insured by SBK directly with us. All you need to do is present your SBK healthcare card at the doctor’s practice. Your personal contribution is 50% of the costs incurred, which will be invoiced to you by the doctor’s practice.

Couples who are unable to have children can apply for state support in some federal states, thereby reducing their personal contribution. Further information can be found on the Portal on fertility and parenting of the Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth.

Find out more:

Health classes

Subsidy for nutritional counselling

Information on infertility(in german)

Information on treatment methods (in german)

Fertility support

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