Freelancers and self-employed people in Germany are not mandatorily insured, so accessing the system works differently than it does for employees. The main paths are public health insurance (GKV) as a voluntary member, private health insurance (PKV), expat health insurance, long-term expat health insurance, public health insurance through the KSK for eligible creative professions, or joining a freelancers' cooperative. Which options you qualify for depends mainly on whether you're currently insured in the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the UK, and on your income.
What health insurance options do I have as a freelancer or self-employed person in Germany?
As a freelancer or self-employed person, you are not mandatorily insured, so accessing Germany's system works differently than it does for employees. Which options you qualify for depends mainly on two things: whether you're currently insured in the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the UK, and how much you earn. Your possible options are public health insurance (GKV), private health insurance (PKV), expat health insurance, long-term expat health insurance, public health insurance through the KSK, and joining a freelancers' cooperative. You can also use our recommendation tool to get results tailored to your situation.
Can I join public health insurance (GKV) as a freelancer?
You can join public health insurance (GKV) as a voluntary member if you're moving your permanent residence to Germany and registering your freelancing activity here. This route is available if you're currently insured in the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the UK, thanks to social security agreements between those countries, and the process is eased by the EESSI system. You must sign up within 3 months of your previous coverage ending — if it ended more than 3 months ago, you're no longer eligible for voluntary public health insurance. The contribution for freelancers is around 21% and can vary slightly by provider, and public health insurance allows free coverage of dependents.
Can I sign up for private health insurance (PKV) as a freelancer?
You can sign up for private health insurance (PKV) only if you earn more than €36,000 gross per year. The contribution is set individually based on two factors, age and health, so if both are in your favor, private health insurance (PKV) can be more affordable than public health insurance (GKV). Keep in mind that each dependent added to a private health insurance (PKV) policy is charged at full price.
Can I stay on my home country's health insurance while freelancing in Germany?
You can stay on your home country's insurance only if your permanent residence and your main business activity remain in your home country, which makes your stay in Germany temporary. In that case you can keep your home coverage for a maximum of 2 years and will need to request A1 and S1 forms from your home insurance provider. This is not an option if you register your freelancing activity in Germany and work for clients here.
Is expat health insurance or long-term expat health insurance an option for freelancers?
Both can be a fit depending on your situation:
Expat health insurance is worth considering if you don't qualify for or don't want public or private health insurance. It's the most affordable option and is accepted for most first-time visa applications, but it's a time-limited solution with more limited coverage. It's a good fit if your earnings are under the €36,000 gross yearly private threshold.
Long-term expat health insurance is the recommended option if you need to renew your visa or extend your residence permit but don't qualify for public or private health insurance, or if you'd like broader coverage.
Can I get public health insurance as an artist or creative freelancer?
If you're an artist or work in another creative profession, you may be able to join public health insurance (GKV) through the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK) as a KSK member. Whether you qualify depends on your profession — you can check the list of qualifying professions to see if yours is included.
Can joining a freelancers' cooperative help me access insurance?
Yes. When you join a cooperative for freelancers, the cooperative employs you — full-time, part-time, as a mini-job, or subject to social security contributions. As your employer, the cooperative handles the punctual payment of your monthly salary and the deduction of your social security contributions and income tax, which is what gives you access to the system as an employee rather than a freelancer.