{"id":1563,"date":"2021-03-01T23:55:37","date_gmt":"2021-03-01T22:55:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interstellar.accountable.de\/?p=1563"},"modified":"2025-03-13T17:48:12","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T16:48:12","slug":"health-insurance-for-self-employed-kleinunternehmer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/interstellar.accountable.de\/en\/blog\/health-insurance-for-self-employed-kleinunternehmer\/","title":{"rendered":"Health insurance for self-employed & Kleinunternehmer"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With each guide to freelancing and taxes in Germany, we try to make the complex simple; taking a confusing bureaucratic system and breaking it down into digestible steps for you to follow and understand. Trust us, we\u2019d rather it was simpler, too! Whether it\u2019s <\/b>pension schemes<\/b><\/a>, <\/b>sales tax<\/b><\/a>, or even just <\/b>registering as a freelancer<\/b><\/a>, things can appear unnecessarily complicated in Germany, and health insurance is no exception.<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A very important aspect to <\/span>setting up as a freelancer<\/span><\/a> in Germany is making sure you\u2019re adequately covered by a health insurance provider (\u201c<\/span>Krankenkasse<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u201d). Not only does it mean you can quickly and affordably access top healthcare when faced with an emergency or illness, it\u2019s also been a legal requirement since 2007 that everyone living in Germany is covered either by a private or public health insurance provider.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide here explains the German healthcare system and how it applies to freelancers and the self-employed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I have travel insurance, isn\u2019t that enough?<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Simple answer: No.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travel insurance is not sufficient if you\u2019re planning to live and work in Germany. While certain types of travel insurance are enough to meet the requirements of a <\/span>visa application<\/span><\/a>, it\u2019s not acceptable to register and commence working without setting yourself up with better health insurance coverage. Not only is it not legally sufficient, it also provides full coverage for things like medical check-ups, basic dental care, or mental health care.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you\u2019re freelancing in an artistic field, self-employed in some other capacity, <\/span>freelancing in multiple fields<\/span><\/a>, or even just planning to stay in Germany to study or look for work, it\u2019s important to get your insurance sorted out as soon as possible. From the moment you complete your <\/span>Anmeldung<\/span><\/i>, you must be covered. If you delay, you\u2019ll later need to back pay for the time that you weren\u2019t insured.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An overview of the German health insurance system<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Health insurance schemes differ from country to country. In some countries, such as Singapore, Australia, and the UK, the general population is covered by a national healthcare scheme that\u2019s funded through taxes and tax levies. In other countries, healthcare is tied to employment. The USA is the only country in the developed world without a system of universal healthcare.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to healthcare for foreigners with temporary visas, each country again handles this differently. For example, in Australia, only permanent visa holders\u2013not temporary visa holders\u2013gain access to Medicare cover. So, what\u2019s it like in Germany?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those in full time employment<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For most of the population, that is, those who are employed and earning less than \u20ac58,050 per year, health insurance comes from the public health insurance scheme. Those employed and earning a salary above \u20ac58,050 are eligible for private health insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those in full time employment typically pay only half of their insurance contributions, as their employer pays the other half. If you run a freelance or small business <\/span>side hustle in addition to full time work<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019re classified as a full time employee when it comes to health insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For freelancers or self-employed<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re self-employed or classified as a small business owner (\u201c<\/span>Kleinunternehmer<\/span><\/i><\/a>\u201d), you can be either publicly or privately insured, regardless of your income.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without an employer to foot half of the bill, freelancers must pay all their health insurance contributions on their own, unless they qualify for the social security fund for artists (\u201c<\/span>K\u00fcnstlersozialkasse<\/span><\/i>\u201d), which we\u2019ll come back to a little later on.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public health insurance for freelancers<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When calculating the cost of public health insurance, a minimum monthly income of around 1,038\u20ac is applied. If your income is lower, you\u2019ll still pay as though you are earning that much. If your income is higher, your contribution will be higher. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freelancers and self-employed individuals pay a minimum of 160-190\u20ac per month for public health insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udca1Tip from Accountable:<\/b> In most cases, you can claim your health insurance contributions on your tax return. See what other expenses you can deduct <\/span>here<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private health insurance for freelancers<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Private health insurance plans can be more affordable for those who have just started their freelance career or small business, and generate less than the minimum monthly income of 1,038\u20ac. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are both advantages and disadvantages to private plans. There are no real family plans under private healthcare schemes, as children or non-working spouses will need to be insured additionally to your own insurance. Yet, unlike public plans, you can tailor the services of a private healthcare plan to suit your individual needs and requirements.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to note that once you\u2019re privately insured as a freelancer, you cannot easily switch to public health insurance. There are some situations where you can, but it\u2019s generally quite difficult to meet the specific requirements (for example, if your spouse is publicly insured, you can switch to public insurance, but only if you earn under 500\u20ac per month).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should I take public or private health insurance?<\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

While the decision is ultimately up to you, it\u2019s widely believed that if you plan to stay in Germany permanently, it\u2019s best to join the public healthcare system, rather than the private system. As you get older, the private system becomes more expensive.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some other key differences:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n