Employment at a German company usually requires full social contributions and enrollment in public health insurance (GKV), though employees earning above €77,400 per year can choose private health insurance (PKV). Short-term and seasonal employment can be exempt from full social contributions when the work is limited to a maximum of 3 months or 70 working days per year and is not performed professionally. People already insured in the EU/EEA, the UK, Switzerland, or a country with a social security agreement can stay on their home insurance, while people from other countries need expat health insurance.
Do I need health insurance if I work for a German company?
Employment at a German company generally requires full social contributions, which means enrolling in public health insurance (GKV). Employees who earn more than €77,400 per year can instead choose private health insurance (PKV). Three types of employment do not always require full social contributions or German insurance: a Minijob (monthly earnings under €603), short-term employment, and seasonal employment.
What counts as short-term employment, and do I pay social contributions?
Short-term employment is work limited to a maximum of 3 months or 70 working days within a year, where the job is not carried out on a professional basis. It stays short-term employment even if the salary exceeds €603 per month, and it is free of social contributions. One exception applies: statutory accident insurance still covers short-term workers by law, and the employer pays that contribution.
What health insurance do I need during short-term employment in Germany?
The insurance you need depends on where you are already insured:
If you are insured in the EU/EEA, the UK, Switzerland, or another country that has a social security agreement with Germany, you can stay on your home insurance and use your EHIC or GHIC to access healthcare in Germany.
If you are from any other country, you need our expat health insurance for the duration of your short-term employment.
What counts as seasonal employment in Germany?
Seasonal workers are employees temporarily employed by an employer based in Germany whose work is tied to a particular season because of a recurring seasonal event, with demand for labor significantly exceeding normal levels. It applies mainly in three sectors:
Agriculture and horticulture, such as harvest helpers on farms specializing in fruit growing, vegetable production, or viticulture.
Tourism, especially hotels, restaurants, and businesses that are not open year-round (for example, beer gardens or ski huts) or that must cover increased demand during limited periods.
The fairground industry, such as accompanying personnel for rides.
Do I pay social contributions for seasonal employment, and what insurance do I need?
Seasonal employment is free of social contributions in Germany only if it also qualifies as short-term employment, meaning a maximum of 3 months or 70 working days within a year and not performed on a professional basis. If it exceeds those limits, full social contributions apply and you need public health insurance (GKV). People who are insured in the EU and also work there may be exempt under certain conditions.
How do I find out which health insurance I need for seasonal or short-term work?
Because several factors affect the outcome, complete the questionnaire published by the German Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) and send it to your employer. Your employer then determines whether you need German insurance and which type applies.