Health insurance subsidy for height-adjustable desks. It's that easy in Germany.

It is now common knowledge that prolonged sitting and unergonomic posture can permanently damage our health. Do you spend most of your working hours sitting in the same position? Then you are all too familiar with the feeling of exhaustion and constant back pain...

Buying a standing desk is an investment in your own well-being and health. The advantage of a standing desk is that it is easy on the joints and, above all, the back. Whether you already have problems or want to prevent them from occurring in the first place is secondary. This alternative is especially recommended for those who often sit at a desk. This also includes students, by the way. Many people now work in their home offices and need a height-adjustable and adjustable standing desk. This makes administrative tasks and creative work easier to accomplish. Here you can read more about the benefits of height-adjustable desks.

The Grant

First and foremost, your employer is obliged by the German Workplace Ordinance and the German Occupational Safety and Health Act to design your workplace in such a way that there are no psychological or physical hazards. There is no specific regulation stating that a height-adjustable desk is necessary for this.

However, under certain circumstances, your health insurance company may cover the costs of a height-adjustable desk. This is because insurance companies often cover some costs for health aids at the workplace, including height-adjustable desks, upon request.

Just like with other rehabilitation providers, the health insurance company also requires a conclusive medical certificate explaining why the height-adjustable desk is really needed. Depending on the health insurance company, certain forms then also have to be filled out and submitted. Afterwards, your health insurance company will check whether it will subsidize the height-adjustable desk – these are always individual decisions.

Why are there subsidies for height-adjustable desks?

Studies have now proven that using such technical office furniture significantly and noticeably improves the health of the affected person. This, in turn, also improves and extends the average working time. Sickness costs, days off due to illness, and medication are automatically reduced.

Does my health insurance have to approve the grant?

Should your health insurance company approve the application, the subsidy will be either 800 or a maximum of 1,200 euros. If your desk costs more, you will have to pay the difference yourself. If the costs are below this price limit, there will be no problems, and the desk will then be paid for in full.

Practical: The Deskspace Pro, with all its important features and high-quality workmanship, is well below the price limit – so it would be worth considering if approval is granted.

Nevertheless, you should keep in mind that your health insurance company does not have to approve the application, and the insurance company does not have to provide a reason for this. Primarily, your employer is responsible for a healthy and ergonomic workplace, and they are not forced to purchase a height-adjustable desk either.

What is the maximum grant?

Depending on the degree of disability, the employer can receive up to 1200 Euros in grants for a height-adjustable desk. Although a little money has to be invested in such furniture, the employee's performance is all the more positive. There are fewer absences, and fewer substitutes are needed.

Anyone who can do their work standing up is automatically more concentrated. Fewer mistakes are made than when working sitting down. This saves the company a lot of money and the employees are fit. This in turn improves the overall working atmosphere.

So, anyone who invests in such a height-adjustable desk enjoys several advantages. Not only the employee and the employer themselves enjoy these, but indirectly also the pension insurance provider and the health insurance company itself.

How do you get a health insurance grant for a standing desk?

First, visit your health insurance company's website or type the company's name and "health insurance grant for standing desks" into Google. You can then download the corresponding PDF file from the portal. You just need to print the file at home and send it back to your health insurance company. If you don't have a printer, you can also send a short email or call your health insurance company, which will then send you the application by mail.

In any case, a doctor's certificate is required to attest to how good a height-adjustable desk is specifically for your back. In addition, the doctor should argue as comprehensively and convincingly as possible in a letter why a height-adjustable desk will be the best solution for you. With just a few clicks and steps, you can get a lot of money from the health insurance grant, so that the purchase of a standing desk does not really cost much money in the end, but you also benefit from the quality that the special desk offers in the long term.