If you expect to return to private health insurance later, you can pay a reduced monthly fee to pause your policy instead of ending it. This is called Anwartschaftsversicherung. Pausing holds your premium at your age and health status from the day the pause starts, so you rejoin under your original contract terms without answering health questions again. Income-related pauses are available on the Short-term, Standard, Plus, and Premium plans, and pausing for a move abroad of at least 6 months is available on the Standard, Plus, and Premium plans. The reduced fee starts at around 10% of your current premium, and canceling the pause means losing the preserved terms.
Can I pause my private health insurance?
Yes, in some situations you can pay a reduced monthly fee to pause your private health insurance instead of canceling it. This is called Anwartschaftsversicherung in German. Pausing stops your full coverage for a period while keeping your right to return to your Private health insurance plan later.
When can I pause my private health insurance in Germany?
You can pause your private health insurance in the following situations:
On the private health insurance Short-term, Standard, Plus, and Premium plans: you've lost your job, and the job agency is covering your Public health insurance, but you plan to return to private health insurance once you're employed again above the income threshold for private health insurance.
On the private health insurance Short-term, Standard, Plus, and Premium plans: you were self-employed and have switched to employment with an income below the income threshold for private health insurance, but you plan to return to private health insurance in the future.
On the private health insurance Short-term, Standard, Plus, and Premium plans: your income has dropped below the income threshold for private health insurance because the threshold increased, so you need Public health insurance for now, but you plan to return to private health insurance after a pay rise.
On the private health insurance Standard, Plus, and Premium plans only: you're moving abroad for at least 6 months and plan to return to Germany. A shorter absence doesn't qualify for a pause.
What are the benefits of pausing private health insurance?
Pausing your private health insurance preserves your age and health status as of the date the pause starts. This means you can rejoin your private health insurance plan later under your original contract terms, without answering health questions again.
Pausing benefits is for people who plan to return to Private health insurance in the future. For instance, if you're moving abroad but don't plan to move back to Germany, pausing your private health insurance is unlikely to be worthwhile.
How much does it cost to pause my private health insurance?
The cost of pausing your private health insurance depends on your current monthly premium. The reduced monthly fee, called Anwartschaftsversicherung, starts at around 10% of your current premium.
How can I request an insurance pause for private health insurance?
You can request an insurance pause through the 'Manage this policy' button in your Feather account.
What ends a pause on my private health insurance?
A pause on your private health insurance ends in any of these situations:
The reason for your pause no longer applies, for example when you move back to Germany and need to resume your private health insurance coverage. You need to let us know when this happens, and your coverage resumes under your original contract terms.
You cancel the pause at the end of the insurance year, with 3 months' notice.
Your pause fee increases, in which case you can cancel the pause within 2 months of the increase taking effect.
What happens if I cancel my private health insurance pause?
Canceling the pause is different from resuming your coverage when the reason for the pause no longer applies. If you cancel the pause, you no longer hold the right to return to your private health insurance plan under your original contract terms. Applying for private health insurance again later means your premium is recalculated at that point, rather than continuing on the terms preserved by the pause.