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How to switch from public to private health insurance in Germany

Your step-by-step guide to change from public to private coverage.

Christina avatar
Written by Christina
Updated over 2 weeks ago

When you apply with Feather, we offer to handle the cancellation of your public insurance for you!

It’s one less thing for you to worry about, and a small way we make sure your switch goes smoothly from start to finish.

  • You'll receive further instructions once submitting your application.

  • If your public provider claims that you cannot cancel, we'll be happy to handle it.

Feather cannot override the cancellation terms enforced by your public provider.


Steps to switch your coverage

Choose a start date that is at least 2 full calendar months from now to comply with the cancellation conditions enforced by your public health provider.

Signing up for private health insurance does not automatically cancel your public coverage.

Step 2: Submit cancellation notice to your public provider

You can (and should) send your cancellation notice even while your private application is pending.

If you applied through Feather, we’ll do this for you. Just complete the “public cancellation” task in your account.

Why notify your public provider right away?

  1. It starts the two-month notice period your public provider typically enforces before they allow you to switch.

  2. Your public insurance will only be officially cancelled after they receive confirmation of your new private coverage.

  3. If you withdraw your application or it is not accepted, then your private coverage cannot be confirmed. Your public health coverage will continue without a gap.

Step 3: Send your confirmation of coverage

Once your private policy is approved, you’ll get a confirmation letter in your Feather account. Forward this to your public provider to finalize the switch.

If you opted for our cancellation help, we’ll also do this step for you.


Exceptional start dates

Your public provider typically requires the current month + 2 full calendar months to cancel. However, some exceptions apply:

  • Pay raise for the same position within the same company → you will have to wait until January 1st of the following year to switch.

  • Switched to self-employment status → within the first 3 months, you can backdate private coverage to your self-employment start date.

  • Switching from being a dependent to employment → private coverage start date can match your employment start date.

  • Switching from student to employment → private coverage start date can match your employment start date.

  • Changing employers, crossing the income threshold for the first time → you can start private coverage when you begin your new job — as long as you cancel your public insurance within 14 days.

Please send us a message when submitting your application if any of these situations apply to you. To ensure a smooth transition, we need to know if the usual cancellation notice doesn’t apply to your situation.

When in doubt if you are eligible for a start date exception, reach out to your public provider to confirm your cancellation terms.

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