Freelancers and self-employed individuals in Germany are eligible for expat health insurance and long-term expat health insurance, and may also qualify for public health insurance (GKV) or private health insurance (PKV) depending on income, visa status, and prior coverage. Expat health insurance is usually recommended for first-time visa applications, while long-term expat health insurance is recommended for visa renewals and residence permit extensions when public or private health insurance is not accessible. Freelancers earning over €36,000 gross per year may qualify for private health insurance (PKV), and artists may access public health insurance (GKV) through the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK).
Can freelancers and self-employed individuals in Germany get expat health insurance?
Freelancers and self-employed individuals in Germany are eligible for expat health insurance and, in many cases, long-term expat health insurance. Whether public health insurance (GKV) or private health insurance (PKV) is also an option depends on your income, visa status, and prior insurance history. You can use our recommendation tool to identify the right option for your situation.
Which health insurance is recommended for freelancers earning under €36,000 per year?
Freelancers earning under €36,000 gross per year are generally not eligible for public health insurance (GKV) or private health insurance (PKV). For a first-time visa application, expat health insurance is the recommended option, because it meets the legal minimum requirements and is the most affordable solution. For a visa renewal or residence permit extension, long-term expat health insurance is the recommended option, because it offers more comprehensive coverage than expat health insurance and is generally accepted by the authorities as an alternative to public health insurance in that case.
Which health insurance is recommended for freelancers earning over €36,000 per year?
Freelancers earning over €36,000 gross per year are typically not eligible for public health insurance (GKV) but have three options:
Private health insurance (PKV): the recommended option for those who qualify. Eligibility is based on income, age, and health.
Expat health insurance: generally accepted for first-time visa applications. It meets the legal minimum requirements and is the most affordable option.
Long-term expat health insurance: the recommended option for visa renewals and residence permit extensions when private health insurance (PKV) is not available. It is generally accepted by the authorities as an alternative to public health insurance in that case.
How does my visa situation affect which health insurance I can choose?
Your visa situation is one of the most important factors in choosing a plan:
First-time visa applicants are recommended to use expat health insurance, which meets the legal minimum requirements under § 193 Abs. 3 VVG and is accepted for most initial applications. First-time applicants are also eligible for long-term expat health insurance. Public health insurance (GKV) and private health insurance (PKV) are generally not available at this stage.
Visa renewal and residence permit extension applicants are recommended to use private health insurance (PKV) if they qualify based on income, and otherwise long-term expat health insurance, which meets the § 152 Basistarif standard and is generally accepted by the authorities when public or private health insurance is not accessible. Expat health insurance is generally not accepted for visa renewals or residence permit extensions.
Are artists eligible for different health insurance options?
Artists are eligible for expat health insurance and long-term expat health insurance. They may also access public health insurance (GKV) through the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK), and private health insurance (PKV) if they meet the income thresholds. Public health insurance (GKV) through the KSK is the recommended option for artists who qualify.
How does prior health insurance in the EU or UK affect my eligibility?
Freelancers or self-employed individuals who held health insurance in the EU, EEA, Switzerland, or the UK within the last 3 months are eligible for expat health insurance, long-term expat health insurance, and public health insurance (GKV). Those earning over €36,000 gross per year may also qualify for private health insurance (PKV). Public health insurance (GKV) is the recommended option where it is accessible.