A mini-job is any job where your monthly gross income does not exceed €603, and your employer is not required to contribute to your health insurance. Because of that, you arrange coverage yourself, and your options depend on whether you're from the EU. Non-EU mini-jobbers can take Expat health insurance or be covered as a dependent on a family member's Public health insurance. EU mini-jobbers have those options plus voluntary membership in Public health insurance and, for seasonal work, their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Can I get health insurance in Germany if I work a mini-job?
Yes. A mini-job in Germany is any job where your monthly gross income does not exceed €603. If you work a mini-job, your employer is not required to pay toward your health insurance contributions, so you arrange and pay for coverage yourself. Your available options depend on whether you're from the EU, so the two cases are covered separately below.
What are my health insurance options as a non-EU mini-jobber?
If you work a mini-job and you're not from the EU, you have two options:
Expat health insurance. The entry-level Basic Cover plan starts at €72 per month. It works like accident-only coverage: it protects you against serious, unexpected medical events but does not cover routine check-ups. Once you find a full-time job, you can switch to Public health insurance. Sign up for Expat health insurance.
Coverage as a dependent on a family member's Public health insurance. If your spouse or a parent has Public health insurance, you may be able to be covered through their policy.
What are my health insurance options as an EU mini-jobber?
If you're from the EU and work a mini-job, you have four options:
Voluntary membership in Public health insurance (around €250 per month). Because your employer is not required to contribute, you pay the contributions yourself as a voluntary member. Sign up for Public health insurance.
Coverage as a dependent on a family member's Public health insurance. If your spouse or a parent has Public health insurance, you may be able to be covered through their policy.
Expat health insurance. The entry-level Basic Cover plan starts at €72 per month and works like accident-only coverage: protection against serious medical events, without routine check-ups. You can switch to Public health insurance once you have a full-time job. Sign up for Expat health insurance.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for seasonal work. For a seasonal mini-job such as harvesting, Germany does not require German health insurance. Your employer must pay work-accident insurance, but otherwise you can stay on your EHIC for as long as your home provider allows. This applies only to seasonal jobs pre-determined to last a maximum of 3 months; regular mini-jobs do not qualify.