You can cancel your Private health insurance (PKV) at any time from your policy page, and the notice period depends on your plan and your reason for canceling. Certain events, including moving abroad, becoming a mandatory member of public health insurance, and a price increase, give you an extraordinary right to cancel with their own deadlines and required documents.
When can I cancel my private health insurance contract?
Private health insurance contracts can be canceled following specific timing rules depending on the contract type and the reason for cancellation. The main contract types are standard and premium short-term plans, standard, plus, and premium long-term plans, and add-ons like sick pay or travel coverage. The cancellation timing and notice periods differ accordingly.
Refer to the chart below for guidance, as the timing varies based on your contract terms. You can also read more about pausing your private health insurance here.
| Short-term plans | Standard, Plus and premium plans |
Moving to a non-EU country | Within two months following your move | Within three months following your move |
Moving to another EU country | Within two months following your move | Within three months following your move |
You join public health insurance as a mandatory member | Within three months from when the obligation to be publicly insured starts | Within three months from when the obligation to be publicly insured starts |
Your contract is about to expire* | Fifteen days toward the end of the month | Three months to the end of the insurance year |
General increase in monthly premium | Within two months after you have been informed regarding the premium increase. | Within two months after you have been informed regarding the premium increase. |
How does cancellation work for the Standard, Plus, and Premium plans?
The Standard, Plus, and Premium plans run for an initial term of 2 years. You can cancel at the end of that term by giving 3 months' notice before the end of the insurance year, which begins on your policy start date. After the initial 2 years, the contract continues year by year with the same 3-month notice requirement.
For example, if your insurance started on 01.09.2021, the earliest possible date to end your insurance is on 31.08.2023. You must request cancellation by 31.05.2023 for it to end on 31.08.2023.
How does cancellation work for Short-term plans?
Short-term plans renew monthly. You can cancel with at least 15 days' notice before the end of the month, and the cancellation takes effect at the end of that month.
How do I cancel sick pay or travel add-ons?
Sick pay and travel add-ons have an initial term of 1 year. After the first year, the add-on renews yearly and can be canceled with 3 months' notice before the end of the insurance year.
What documents do I need to cancel, depending on my reason?
Moving from Germany to another country
You'll receive a de-registration confirmation (Abmeldebestätigung) as proof that you've officially moved out of your German address. To de-register, simply get in touch with your local citizens' office (Bürgeramt) and follow their guidelines. Keep in mind that the de-registration process can vary between different states.
It's important to note that the Abmeldebestätigung finalizes your cancellation request. If you've paid any premiums before submitting the Abmeldebestätigung and do so within 3 months after your move-out date, you'll receive a reimbursement within 2 weeks.
Your contract is about to expire
We will need proof of your follow-up private health insurance
Extraordinary cancellation
You have an extraordinary right of cancellation in the following cases:
You are subject to compulsory (mandatory) public health insurance. For example, if you lose your job or your annual income falls below the threshold, you may be subject to compulsory public health insurance. You will need to send us your proof of compulsory public health insurance.
Your monthly premium has increased. If you cancel within 2 months of being notified about the increase, your contract will end retrospectively at the point in time when the higher premium would be due. Since health insurance is mandatory in Germany, you must send us your proof of follow-up private health insurance.
What happens after cancellation?
You keep access to your Feather account after your policy is canceled, so you can still find your policy documents and anything you need for tax purposes.
Claims are handled by the provider, so your account won't show the outcome of a claim submitted around or after your cancellation. If you have invoices dated before your cancellation, see how to submit your private health insurance claims.
How do I submit my cancellation request?
You can cancel at any time from your private health insurance policy page. No letters or emails are needed. We handle your cancellation request and get in touch if we need more information.
If you're choosing a cancellation date in the past, see what to consider when backdating your private health insurance cancellation first, since reimbursements already paid for treatment after that date may have to be returned.