Background <p>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 10% of the population and causes high morbidity and severe health-economic consequences. Preventive measures can positively influence the onset and progression of CKD. In view of the limited resources in the healthcare system an effective nephrological prevention strategy is becoming increasingly more essential.</p> Objective <p>This article discusses the various prevention approaches to the reduction of CKD-associated morbidity and mortality in the context of costs and benefits.</p> Material and methods <p>A selective literature search in the PubMed database and analysis of relevant legal texts and informational material from public institutions were carried out.</p> Results <p>Preventive measures can be implemented at both the individual and collective levels: while behavioral prevention aims to modify health-related decisions, structural prevention focuses on environmental adjustments. In all forms of prevention, from primary to quaternary prevention, there are approaches for optimizing nephrological prevention strategies. The promotion of health literacy is crucial for achieving long-term success in prevention. Modern screening approaches, such as home-based albuminuria tests and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted practical information systems, offer potential for improved early detection and management of patients at risk for CKD.</p> Conclusion <p>The effective prevention of CKD requires a&#xa0;structured approach that primarily includes the reduction of risk factors, secondarily an optimized early detection and thirdly a targeted treatment of the disease. Quaternary prevention is particularly relevant for older people to prevent overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Future developments should integrate digital health data and avoid redundant structures to achieve a&#xa0;sustainable and cost-effective improvement in nephrological care.</p>