You can upgrade from expat health insurance to public or private health insurance in Germany directly through your account, with no gap in coverage. Freelancers and artists can also use the standard upgrade process to join public insurance through the KSK or through SMART, a cooperative that acts as an employer for freelancers who do not qualify for the KSK.
How do I upgrade from expat health insurance to public or private health insurance in Germany?
You can upgrade from expat health insurance to public or private health insurance in Germany through your account, which ensures continuous coverage with no gap between the two policies. To complete the upgrade:
Open your existing expat health policy.
Choose the option to switch to public or private insurance.
Select either public or private insurance.
If you choose public insurance, select your preferred provider, such as BARMER, TK, DAK, or AOK.
Complete the sign-up questionnaire as instructed.
How do I upgrade through the KSK or as a freelancer joining public insurance in Germany?
Freelancers and artists can use the standard upgrade process to join public insurance through the KSK (Artists' Social Insurance Fund) or through SMART, a cooperative for freelancers who do not qualify for the KSK.
To upgrade through the KSK, select BARMER as your public insurance provider, indicate during the sign-up questionnaire that you are employed with the employer listed as "KSK membership application," and set your employment start date 6 months in the future to allow for processing time.
For freelancers not eligible for the KSK, you can join SMART, a cooperative that acts as an employer to provide access to public insurance. Contact SMART directly to confirm eligibility, then complete the standard upgrade process through your account.