If you're a freelancer in Germany, you may have heard of the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK), a social insurance scheme for artists and publicists.
Freelancers are often given the short end of the stick in Germany. Particularly if they're from outside the EU, it can be difficult for freelancers to gain any "typical" social benefits, including access to public insurance or the public pension scheme.
The KSK essentially plays the role of an employer. Once you're a member, the KSK will allow you to be publicly insured and will cover half of your health insurance and pension contributions.
There are a few basic requirements for getting into the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK):
You're an artist or a publicist. You work professionally as a self-employed or freelance artist or writer with the purpose of earning a living. This is your main source of income. See the full list of job descriptions.
You earn more than €3,900 per year. Your income from artistic activities (revenue minus expenses) must be above €3,900 per year if you've been a self-employed or freelancing artist for longer than three years. In the first three years of your profession, your income can be lower.
You're not actually a business owner in disguise. You may employ at most one person, but no more. This is meant for self-employed artists and publicists only.
KSK and private health insurance
Public health insurance is mandatory for KSK members, but in special cases, you can get an exemption and join private health insurance instead. It's possible in these two situations:
1. Starting the profession: In the first three years of practicing the profession, you can opt for private health insurance. It has to be requested within three months after applying for KSK.
After three years, you can decide to switch to public, or stay exempt for the rest of your KSK membership. This exemption doesn’t affect future employment.
2. High earners: If you can prove that you have earned over the private threshold in the last three years, you can switch or stay on private.
KSK will pay part of the contribution. The percentage depends on the plan.
One caveat: KSK members have to contribute to the government pension insurance. That's 9,3 % of your income, with KSK paying an additional 9,3 %.
If you have a low or average income and plan to stay in Germany long-term, this may be a good option for you. However, it can feel expensive for those earning higher amounts.
Example: for an artist with a €30.000 income and no children, the monthly cost would be €472.5 (including health, long-term care and pension insurance contributions). KSK would pay another €472.5.
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