How to Switch from Public to Private Health Insurance in Germany

Key Takeaways

• 2025 income threshold: €73,800/year counts bonuses for eligibility.
• Give two full months’ notice; align end dates with month end.
• Get written termination within 14 days and show proof of new cover.
• Private premiums vary by age and health; public costs follow income.
• Family members are covered differently; evaluate household impact.
• Keep documents ready so payroll and employer allowance stay correct.
• Seek independent advice to map the best option for your move.

Who can switch: Eligibility rules for employees, self‑employed, civil servants, and students

Insurancy explains eligibility clearly for employees, self‑employed people, civil servants, and students so you can see whether a move is possible for your situation.

Employees

Surpassing the 2025 JAEG of €73,800 (including routine bonuses) opens the door to private coverage. Employers must confirm pay components when you apply, and timing often ties a mid‑year rise to a January start date the next year.

Self‑employed and freelancers

Most self‑employed people can choose between systems. Artists and journalists often join the KSK and follow special rules unless they claim an early exemption or hit defined income limits.

Civil servants

Many Beamte opt for private plans because Beihilfe reimburses a large share of medical costs. Private offerings are usually designed to complement that state aid.

Students and family cover

Students may opt out of statutory student cover within three months of matriculation. Family coverage typically ends at age 25, after which an individual policy is required.

• Documentation: expect employer confirmation of income and status.
• Family impact: public schemes can be cheaper for multiple dependents.
• Advice: Insurancy gives neutral guidance tailored for expats.

When switching is allowed: Timing, notice periods, and commitment rules

Timing matters: statutory deadlines and payroll cycles decide when a move can take effect. Get the calendar right and you avoid gaps, missed confirmations, and payroll errors. Insurancy lays out the timelines so expats and employees can plan clearly.

Two‑month notice and month‑end alignment

You must give two full months’ notice, effective at month end. For example, notice sent by January 31 usually ends cover on March 31. Your fund must send written termination confirmation within 14 days under the Social Code.

Commitments and optional tariff binding

The standard 12‑month lock for changing public funds does not block a move to private health care. However, optional tariffs — like premium‑refund plans — can bind members for one to three years and carry over when systems change.

Special termination right and employer coordination

If your fund raises the additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag), you get an extraordinary cancellation window of two months from notification or the first due date. That countdown is strict.

• Plan backward: choose a target start date, count two months to month‑end, and allow 14 days for confirmation.
• Avoid gaps: ensure the new policy begins the day after the old ends.
• Employer: align dates so payroll applies the correct allowance and stops public deductions.
• Document: keep notice, confirmation, and new policy copies for your fund and company payroll.

Long‑term view: check optional tariff end dates before you act — choices now can affect flexibility later, including old age. Insurancy can review terms and map the best way within legal deadlines.

How to switch from public to private health insurance in Germany

Prepare your timeline early. Draft a compliant notice referencing the two‑month, month‑end rule and state the exact intended end day. Send this to your current fund so dates line up with payroll cycles.

Give proper notice

Write a formal cancellation and include your planned termination date. Confirm the fund received it and keep a copy for payroll and company records.

Obtain confirmation within the statutory timeframe

Request the written termination confirmation and mark the 14‑day response window. If you do not receive confirmation, follow up immediately.

Provide proof of new coverage

Secure the private policy’s formal proof of coverage. Forward this document to your prior fund and your employer. Electronic membership messages are handled by payroll, so timely submission matters.

Ensure no gaps in protection

Align the new plan start date the day after the old ends. If any lapse occurs, the prior fund will usually cover interim care, but prompt communication avoids complications.

Example: For an April 1 start, deliver notice by Jan 31 so termination runs through Mar 31 and your private policy begins Apr 1.

• Keep backups of all confirmations and proof documents.
• Check premium contributions early so you know employer support and out‑of‑pocket cost.
• Insurancy can prepare notices and check timelines to make the process efficient and compliant.

Step‑by‑step process for employees above the threshold

If your projected pay for the year exceeds €73,800, plan the administrative steps early so payroll and HR line up with your preferred start date.

Check projected annual income and effective dates

Ask HR or payroll for a projection letter that includes recurring bonuses. Use that figure when you pick an effective day. January 1 is a common choice after a mid‑year raise that pushes earnings over the limit.

Employer notifications and electronic confirmation

Share your new policy details with HR promptly. Employers now register membership digitally and receive electronic confirmation. Keep the confirmation and the fund’s termination proof for your records.

• Validate income: get a written projection showing earnings, including bonuses.
• Pick the date: align with the two‑month notice and month‑end rule.
• Coordinate payroll: confirm employer allowance, caps, and payslip timing.
• Practical example: mid‑year raise in August, projected income > JAEG; submit notice by end of October for a January 1 start.

Insurancy can check projections, compare plans, and prepare employer documents so the administrative steps are handled correctly the first time.

Self‑employed: Your options between public and private health insurance

Deciding as an independent worker means balancing current cash flow, expected earnings, and long‑term affordability. Most freelancers can choose statutory cover or private plans, but artistic and journalistic roles often follow special rules via the Artists’ Social Fund (KSK).

Key considerations:

• Map your activity: KSK membership can create a compulsory statutory route unless you claimed an early exemption or pass set income limits.
• Budget for swings: statutory contributions follow declared income and absorb variability. Private health premiums stay fixed month by month.
• Cash flow matters: private plans normally require paying invoices first and seeking reimbursement later.

Practical tip: check KSK eligibility early if you work in art or journalism. Keep tax assessments ready for statutory adjustments and provide honest health declarations for private offers.

Insurancy can compare plans across companies and help expats pick a sustainable option for both life and work.

Civil servants: Why private often makes sense with Beihilfe

For many in public service, state Beihilfe plus a private complementary plan gives strong protection at a lower net cost. The state reimburses a defined share of eligible costs, and private tariffs are built to cover the remainder efficiently.

Understand the structure: Beihilfe pays an employer share first. Your private plan then settles the rest according to your chosen tariff. This split often reduces overall premiums compared with standard private products aimed at salaried workers without state aid.

• Benefits alignment: inpatient, outpatient, and dental modules are commonly tailored to Beihilfe rules and documentation.
• Dependents: spouses and children can face different reimbursement rates, so compare combined cost and cover.
• Claims flow: submit invoices, receive Beihilfe, then the private insurer pays residuals per your tariff.

“Most Beamte choose a complementary private tariff because the combined structure balances cost and benefit while preserving broad care options.”

Check portability over the years, long‑term care integration, and deductibles that stabilize cost. Insurancy compares companies and helps civil servants find Beihilfe‑compliant offers that make sense for family, age, and budget.

Students: Exemptions, family insurance, and later transitions

Your first semester includes an important choice about coverage that can shape costs and options later. Many students are eligible for family cover until age 25, but rules and income caps can apply. Confirm eligibility with your parents’ provider early.

Opt‑out window: within three months of starting studies you may decline mandatory student public tariffs and pick an individual plan instead. Complete enrollment and opt‑out forms promptly so you do not default into the statutory route.

Compare cost and benefits before deciding. Student public tariffs are usually low and simple to use. Entry‑level private health offers can add faster specialist access and tailored extras, but prices depend on age, health, and deductible.

• Keep your enrollment certificate and timely opt‑out paperwork ready.
• Plan for the 25th birthday: family cover normally ends then; arrange continued cover before it lapses.
• After graduation, your job type and pay will decide whether you remain in a private product or join the statutory system.

Insurancy helps internationals compare student‑friendly options and ensures paperwork meets university and residency requirements.

Costs, benefits, and trade‑offs: Public versus private for expats

Look past headline premiums. Compare real yearly outlays, service speed, and how coverage adapts as life changes. For many internationals, the short‑term savings may not match long‑term expense shifts.

How contributions are calculated under statutory cover

Public contributions are income‑based and include long‑term care costs. Employers and employees share payments, which keeps contributions proportional during low‑earning years.

What drives private premiums

Private offers base quotes on age at entry, medical history, selected modules, and chosen deductible. Younger, healthier people often get lower rates, but premiums can rise with age.

Family, long‑term affordability, and employer support

Family cover differs: statutory plans typically include non‑earning spouses and children. Private charges each person separately.

• Employer role: employees usually receive an allowance; check annual caps.
• Cash flow: private often needs upfront payments and insurer reimbursements.
• Long view: consider old age and pension years — public adjusts with income, private may increase.

Insurancy compares total costs and benefits for expats so your choice matches the household, career, and life plans ahead.

Risks and edge cases when income falls below or above the threshold

Income shifts can change legal status quickly. Small pay changes or an increase in the JAEG may trigger formal reassessment. Act fast and get written confirmations.

Staying private when the threshold rises above your salary

If the JAEG moves above your pay, you can often remain under private health cover by applying for an exemption within the required window. Keep exemption letters and the insurer’s replies.

Dropping below the threshold and pathways back to statutory cover

A salary fall usually means re‑entry to public health cover unless you meet narrow exceptions. These include limited prior statutory membership or long periods of exemption. Confirm your case with HR and the fund.

• Employment changes: new jobs trigger reassessment—notify your employer early.
• Costs: model one‑off admin fees, possible waiting periods, and payroll timing.
• Documentation: keep past exemption letters, income proofs, and insurance history.
• Example planning: simulate a raise over JAEG, then a later job change that reduces earnings and note required forms and deadlines.

Insurancy can review your history and outline the clearest path under current german health rules so you make informed, timely choices.

Documentation checklist and realistic timelines

Start with a clear end date, then collect confirmations so payroll and providers can act fast.

Key documents: a written notice naming the target end day, the fund’s termination confirmation (must arrive within 14 days), the private policy confirmation, and proof you gave the old fund coverage proof. Send employer notification so company payroll can stop public deductions and apply any allowance.

Example timeline

August: mid‑year raise pushes projected annual pay over the JAEG.

October: serve written notice that ends coverage at month‑end two full months later.

Mid‑November: expect termination confirmation; follow up if missing.

December: finalise private policy and save the insurer’s onboarding pack.

January 1: new coverage starts; check first premium and any transition cost differences.

• Use calendar reminders for the two‑month, month‑end rule and capture receipt dates in writing.
• Tell your doctor which policy applies on each day to avoid misdirected invoices.
• If a certificate is late, request a provisional confirmation for HR or a provider appointment.

“Insurancy can review your packet before submission to ensure the way forward is complete and timelines are realistic.”

Conclusion

Plan carefully and keep records. Eligibility, the €73,800 JAEG for 2025, the two‑month notice to month‑end rule, and the 14‑day confirmation are the legal anchors that matter most.

Different paths suit different people. Self‑employed work patterns and KSK rules change the financial picture. Beihilfe alters the calculus for civil servants. Students must note opt‑out windows during their first months of studies.

Compare real costs, family impact, and long‑term effects into pension and old age. Keep notices, confirmations, and start dates safe and share them with HR and providers.

Insurancy offers independent, online support across the market so your final choice makes sense for your life and situation. If unsure, get written confirmation or a second opinion before you act.

FAQ

Who is eligible among employees, self-employed, civil servants, and students?

Employees whose annual gross earnings exceed the JAEG of 73,800 € in 2025 may opt out of statutory sickness funds. Self-employed people, freelancers, and artists usually choose freely between statutory and private cover, though members of the Künstlersozialkasse have specific rules. Civil servants receive Beihilfe support and often select private plans to top up benefits. Students can remain in family insurance or statutory student plans but can opt for private cover early in studies under certain conditions.

What counts toward the annual income threshold (JAEG) for employees?

The threshold includes regular salary plus predictable bonuses and certain taxable allowances. One‑off payments and pro‑rated bonuses can affect eligibility. Employers and payroll services normally calculate projected annual gross income; verify figures before making any plan decisions.

What notice periods and timing rules apply when changing providers?

Statutory plans generally require a two‑month notice period, aligning the termination with the month end. Private insurers set their own start dates. Plan the handover carefully so that the new contract starts the day after statutory cover ends to avoid gaps.

Are there minimum commitment periods or tariff bindings with private insurers?

Many private contracts include binding periods or limited‑term tariffs, though standard full private contracts are often open‑ended. Some low‑cost tariffs carry minimum terms. Read terms closely and ask about exit rights and premium change clauses.

What special termination rights exist if additional contributions change in the statutory system?

If a public insurer raises additional contribution rates, members may gain a special right to terminate outside the usual notice window. This allows switching to another statutory fund or private cover, depending on personal eligibility and timing.

What practical steps are required to leave a statutory fund and take private cover?

Notify your statutory insurer in writing within the required notice period. Obtain formal confirmation of termination. Sign a private contract and provide proof of coverage to your employer and former insurer. Ensure start and end dates mesh to keep continuous protection.

What documentation will my employer need?

Employers typically require an electronic membership confirmation (Mitgliedsbescheinigung) or proof of private insurance for payroll and contribution purposes. Provide employer notification promptly to adjust social security procedures and avoid deduction errors.

How should employees above the threshold plan the timing of a move?

Confirm projected annual income, including expected bonuses, before acting. Coordinate notice with payroll timing so termination aligns with month end. Aim for clear start dates with the private insurer to prevent coverage gaps or double payments.

What choices do self‑employed people have regarding statutory versus private cover?

Self‑employed persons can generally choose either system. Those in certain sectors, like artists and journalists covered by the Künstlersozialkasse, may face compulsory statutory elements. Evaluate long‑term costs, potential premium increases, and family needs before deciding.

Why do civil servants often prefer private plans alongside Beihilfe?

Beihilfe reimburses a share of medical costs, so private supplemental or full private policies often provide better reimbursement rates and faster access to specialists. Private plans can be tailored to cover remaining costs and offer favorable terms for higher incomes.

What options do students have regarding coverage and family insurance?

Students under family insurance limits can remain covered by a parent’s statutory plan until certain age thresholds. New students may opt out of statutory student insurance within three months of starting studies and choose private cover, but switching back can be restricted later.

How are contributions calculated in the statutory system?

Statutory contributions are percentage‑based and tied to gross income up to contribution assessment limits. Both employee and employer share the cost. Additional contribution rates set by each Krankenkasse also affect monthly payments.

What determines private premiums and how do age and health influence cost?

Private premiums depend on age at entry, current health status, selected benefits, and chosen deductible levels. Younger, healthier applicants secure lower starting rates; premiums may rise with age or claims history, though some plans build age provisions.

How does family coverage differ between systems?

In statutory schemes, non‑working spouses and children can be covered at no extra cost under family insurance. Private plans charge separate premiums for each family member, which can make private cover expensive for families despite lower individual rates for healthy adults.

What long‑term affordability risks should expats consider?

Private premiums can increase considerably over decades, especially after retirement. Statutory contributions remain income‑based and offer more predictable long‑term budgeting. Factor employer contributions, pension projections, and retirement costs into any decision.

What happens if earnings fall below or rise above the threshold later on?

If salary drops below the JAEG, returning to statutory insurance can be complex and limited by age and prior insurance history. If income rises above the threshold while already in statutory cover, you may newly qualify to opt for private insurance; review timing and consequences carefully.

What documents should I gather before initiating a change?

Prepare written termination notices, employer income statements or projections, electronic membership confirmations, the private insurer’s contract and start confirmation, and any required health declarations. Keep copies and track dates closely.

Can you provide a typical timeline example from a salary increase to a January 1 effective switch?

Example: Confirm projected annual income after a raise. Give statutory insurer two months’ written notice ending December 31. Sign private contract with a January 1 start and provide proof to employer. Receive termination confirmation and electronic membership documents to finalize payroll entries.

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