If you're self-employed, freelance, or employed by a company outside Germany, a drop in income doesn't affect your existing Private health insurance (PKV) policy. Falling below the income threshold on its own doesn't open a route into Public health insurance (GKV). What changes your options is taking up employment in Germany. If cost is the concern, raising your deductible or moving to a different plan is the route to consider.
My income dropped below the threshold. Does that change my private health insurance?
A drop in income doesn't change your existing Private health insurance (PKV) policy. You stay insured on the same plan, with the same cover. The one thing to check is your income protection, since your daily amount can't be higher than your net income. Let us know if your income has dropped for more than a short period, and we'll look into it for you.
Can I switch to public health insurance if my income falls below the threshold?
Falling below the income threshold doesn't automatically open a route into Public health insurance (GKV) on its own. This holds whether you're self-employed, freelance, or employed by a company outside Germany. The exemption route that applies to employees in Germany isn't available to these groups, so a lower income by itself won't make you eligible.
What would actually change my options?
Taking up employment with a German employer is what changes the picture, not your income. If your employment situation changes, get in touch, and we'll look at what applies to you.
My premium feels too high now. What can I do?
If the cost is the problem rather than your eligibility, there are two routes. Raising your deductible lowers your monthly premium, and moving to a different Private health insurance (PKV) plan can lower it too. Open your Private health insurance policy page in your Feather account, click 'Manage my policy', and select 'Coverage change request' to see your options.