This post will teach you all you need to know about health insurance for freelancers and self-employed in Germany.
We’ll break down everything, including:
The tips and lessons below are tried and tested. Our experts help dozens of freelancers with this topic every month.
The feedback speaks for itself (4.9/5 on Trustpilot): what’s coming up is not only helpful but also super practical.
Let’s kick things off.
The government demands that all residents get health insurance.
So, yes, freelancers in Germany need health insurance.
Unlike most expats, freelancers have greater flexibility in choosing the best option, as income eligibility thresholds differ greatly from those of employees.
If all this sounds like gibberish right now, our introduction to German health insurance might be useful.
You have 6 options to get health insurance as a freelancer in Germany:
Each option comes with its own set of requirements and benefits. Here’s a rundown of each:
If you are moving your permanent residence to Germany and will register your freelancing activity here, you can access the public health system.
You must sign up for public insurance within 3 months of ending your home country’s insurance. If your home insurance ended over 3 months ago, you are not eligible for voluntary public insurance in Germany.
If your permanent residence and business activities are still in your home country, your stay in Germany is considered temporary. You can remain on your home insurance for a maximum of 2 years.
If you do this, you must request an A1 and S1 form from your home insurance company to access German healthcare.
This is not an option if you have registered your freelancing activity in Germany and are working for clients here.
Most freelancers will opt for this. It’s the easiest way to get insured without spending too much money.
There is technically no rule stopping freelancers from joining a private health insurance plan. However, these plans often have a minimum income requirement set by the insurance companies. Typically, self-employed individuals need to earn at least €30,000 annually to qualify for these plans.
If you are an artist or work in one of these professions, you can join the KSK.
It plays the role of an employer by covering half of your health insurance and pension contributions.
Joining a cooperative means you will be employed by them, either full or part-time, which allows you to access public health insurance.
If none of the options suit you, expat health insurance is worth considering.
Although it is more affordable than public or private health insurance, it provides limited coverage.
This is a question that demands a thoughtful answer.
Here’s why…
If you choose private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung), you’ll find it quite difficult (or, in some cases, impossible) to switch to the public insurance system in the future.
Read our guide to switching from private to public insurance for more detailed explanations.
Here’s a quick overview for the self-employed considering their health insurance options:
It is best for start-ups and self-employed individuals with low revenue. The lower your income, the cheaper it will be. Statutory health insurance contributions are income-based, so you might save some money if you’re towards the lower end of the contribution bracket (more on that in a minute).
You may also consider it if you have multiple dependents, as your contribution also covers them.
Private health insurance is cheaper than public insurance for people with higher earnings.
If you want access to the best health services in Germany, you’ll also want private health insurance. Its coverage is much greater than statutory insurance, and you’ll have faster and greater access to the country’s best specialists.
Still, you should consider some of private insurance’s disadvantages before signing up:
Ultimately, the decision between public and private insurance will vary from person to person. If you need more detailed explanations, you should read:
If your situation is more nuanced, just book a call with us. We’d be happy to discuss your options with you.
Statutory health insurance for newly self-employed individuals
If you were previously covered by public health insurance and are now self-employed but want to stay insured, you must apply within three months. Here’s what you need to do:
You can check Social Security Code V, Section 9, for more details.
The answer depends on what type of health insurance you opt for. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
Voluntary public health insurance costs are based on your (pre-tax) income and are generally calculated at around 19,5% of gross income (2025). This means the actual cost can vary from month to month.
The contributions are made up of:
Note that this is calculated on all types of income, including:
However, no matter how much you earn, your maximum contribution is €950 monthly. Similarly, the public system assumes you’ll earn at least €1,178.33 per month, so even if you earn less than that, you’ll still pay the minimum of €220 each month. (Figures updated for 2025)
Check out our public health insurance calculator to learn exactly how much you’ll contribute.
When you sign up, you’ll receive a quote based on your risk profile (age, health, and desired coverage). This means the premiums for private health insurance vary significantly from person to person.
At Feather, a healthy, 30-year-old freelancer would pay around €450 for standard coverage or €680 for premium coverage.
Wondering what your tariff might be? Use our private health insurance calculator to find out.
The specifics depend on your choice between public and private health insurance plans. Here’s the coverage you can expect from both:
On top of that, Feather’s private health insurance would also cover things like:
Thanks to Feather, it’s never been easier to get covered by health insurance; just follow these steps:
As a self-employed person in Germany, your health insurance contributions depend on your income.
Here’s how it works:
Travel insurance alone is not enough for freelancers.
Some travel insurance plans will meet visa requirements. But they’re not enough to register and work in Germany.
When registering in Germany (Anmeldung), you must have full insurance coverage. If you don’t get insurance quickly, you will have to pay for the time you were not covered.
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