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voluntary health insurance
Voluntary Health Insurance: Your Guide to Optimal Coverage and Fair Contributions
Voluntary health insurance offers flexibility but also raises questions. Secure comprehensive coverage by precisely understanding your options. This article sheds light on all aspects, from contributions to your rights.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Voluntary health insurance ensures that those who are not mandatorily insured, such as self-employed individuals or high earners, can remain in the statutory health insurance scheme, with contributions based on total income.
The scope of services of the voluntary statutory health insurance corresponds to that of the compulsory insurance, including the possibility of non-contributory family insurance.
Contributions are levied up to the contribution assessment ceiling (2025: €5,512.50/month); a minimum assessment base applies (2025: €1,248.33/month).
Quick Facts: A concise explanation of voluntary health insurance
Voluntary health insurance offers individuals who are not required to have insurance the opportunity to stay within the statutory system with full benefits. Contributions are based on the total economic capacity up to the contribution assessment ceiling. Here are the key points about voluntary health insurance:
Target Group: Primarily self-employed individuals, freelancers, employees earning above the Annual Income Threshold (JAEG), and individuals after the end of family insurance.
Contribution Amount: Income-dependent, with minimum and maximum contributions. For 2025, the monthly minimum assessment basis is 1,248.33 Euros.
Range of Benefits: Equivalent to that of compulsorily insured individuals, including the option of free family insurance.
Freedom of Choice: Affected individuals can often choose between voluntary statutory health insurance (GKV) and private health insurance (PKV). Switching back to GKV later is often only possible with difficulty.
Application Deadlines: Typically, joining must occur within three months after the end of mandatory insurance coverage.
Check eligibility: Who can use voluntary health insurance?
Not everyone can voluntarily insure themselves under the statutory health insurance scheme. The statutory health insurance sets out clear rules, often based on income thresholds or type of employment. The annual income threshold was 69,300 Euros in 2024 and is expected to rise to 73,800 Euros for 2025.
Groups eligible for voluntary insurance
Voluntary insurance is available to various groups that meet specific criteria. These typically include:
Employees above the annual income threshold: Those who exceed this limit are exempt from compulsory insurance and can choose.
Self-employed and freelancers: They can opt for either statutory or private insurance. Important for the self-employed.
Individuals after family insurance ends: For example, children who reach the age limit or earn their own income.
Civil servants and judges: Under certain conditions, often if previously statutorily insured.
Students: After the end of compulsory student insurance (e.g., from the age of thirty-one or the fourteenth semester).
Pensioners: If the requirements for health insurance for pensioners (KVdR) are not met. Learn more about health insurance for pensioners.
A key requirement is often a previous period of insurance in the statutory health insurance: At least twenty-four months within the last five years or at least twelve months immediately before. There are exceptions (e.g., career starters above the income threshold). An individual clarification with the health insurance provider is always advisable.
Keeping Costs Under Control: Calculating Contributions for Voluntary Health Insurance
Contributions to voluntary health insurance are based on the total economic capacity of the insured person (earnings from work and capital, rental income, other income).
Understanding Contribution Rates and Assessment Limits
The general contribution rate is fourteen point six percent plus the additional contribution specific to the fund. Self-employed individuals without entitlement to sick pay pay a reduced rate of fourteen point zero percent plus an additional contribution. Contributions are levied up to the contribution assessment ceiling (2025: 5,512.50 Euro/month). A minimum assessment base of 1,248.33 Euro monthly (2025) ensures that even with low or no income, a minimum contribution (approx. 175 Euro without long-term care and additional contributions) is required. In addition, contributions to the long-term care insurance (currently three point four percent or four point zero percent for those without children over twenty-three years) are required.
Calculation Examples for Different Income Situations
Examples (assumption: additional contribution one point seven percent, general contribution rate fourteen point six percent, long-term care insurance three point four percent): A self-employed person with 2,500 Euro monthly income (with entitlement to sick pay) pays about 492.50 Euro. A voluntarily insured employee with a monthly salary of 6,000 Euro (above the BBG 2025) has a personal contribution of approximately 543.00 Euro. A person without earned income, living on 1,000 Euro rental income, pays based on the minimum assessment basis approximately 238.43 Euro.
Accurate calculation is essential to assess the financial burden. Also, inform yourself about the upper limit in statutory health insurance.
Take advantage of the range of services: What voluntary health insurance offers
Voluntary insured individuals receive the identical range of benefits as mandatory members in the statutory health insurance (GKV), including all medically necessary treatments, preventive care, and rehabilitation according to the Fifth Book of the Social Code (SGB V), as well as the comprehensive medical care.
Standard benefits and family insurance
The standard benefits include, among other things:
Medical and dental treatment
Hospital treatment
Supply of medicines, dressings, therapeutic and auxiliary aids
Home nursing care
Maternity benefits
A major advantage is the contribution-free family insurance for spouses and children (under certain income limits). This distinguishes the GKV from private health insurance (PKV), where each family member must be insured individually.
Additional benefits and options
Many health insurance companies offer optional tariffs and additional benefits beyond the standard services. For self-employed individuals, a tariff with entitlement to sick pay is important, as it provides financial support from the seventh week of incapacity to work. Without this choice, there is no entitlement to sick pay. Our expert tip: Determine whether sick pay is sensible for your situation, despite higher contributions. The protection against income loss can be crucial. The exact terms and additional offers vary depending on the health insurance provider; a comparison is always worthwhile.
Change and Termination: Navigating the Process with Confidence
Voluntary health insurance is not always final. A change of health insurance provider or cancellation is possible under certain conditions. The cancellation period is usually two months to the end of the month. The decisive factor is the receipt of the cancellation by the health insurance provider.
Switching from voluntary statutory health insurance to private health insurance
Voluntary statutory health insurance members can generally switch to private health insurance at any time. The usual twelve-month binding period often does not apply here. An informal cancellation with the statutory health insurance and proof of follow-up insurance with a private health insurance is required.
Switching to another statutory health insurance provider
Switching to another statutory health insurance is possible after a twelve-month binding period. The new provider handles the cancellation through the electronic reporting procedure. There is a special termination right in case of an additional contribution increase; in this case, cancellation with a two-month notice is possible even without a fulfilled binding period.
Ending voluntary membership due to compulsory insurance
Voluntary membership automatically ends when compulsory insurance begins (e.g., employees under JAEG, unemployment benefit I, family insurance). Inform the health insurance provider immediately. Knowing these change and cancellation modalities gives you the confidence to react flexibly to changes.
Your next step: Secure a personalised consultation at nextsure
The choice and design of voluntary health insurance is an important, individual decision. This article provides an overview, but does not replace personal advice. Every life situation is unique and requires a tailored solution. Whether voluntary statutory health insurance or private health insurance suits you better, or how to optimise contributions, we are happy to clarify.
At nextsure, we are your digital insurance portal. We help you keep track of the tariff jungle and find the optimal coverage.
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More useful links
The Bundesgesundheitsministerium provides information on health-related topics and contributions.
The Bundesgesundheitsministerium specifically informs about those with statutory insurance.
The GKV-Spitzenverband provides a PDF document with standard principles for the assessment of contributions for voluntary members from 2025.
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of voluntary health insurance in Germany.
The PKV (Association of Private Health Insurance) offers a statistical report for 2023 as a PDF document.
The PKV number portal provides statistics on private health insurance in Germany.
The homepage of the Bundesgesundheitsministerium offers a comprehensive overview of health topics.
Destatis (Federal Statistical Office) provides information on health expenditures in Germany.
The Deutsche Rentenversicherung provides information on health and long-term care insurance for pensioners.
FAQ
What is the annual income threshold for voluntary health insurance?
The annual income threshold, also known as the mandatory insurance limit, is expected to be 73,800 euros annually (monthly 6,150 euros) in 2025. Employees whose regular annual salary exceeds this amount are exempt from insurance and can choose to voluntarily insure under public or private health insurance.
What benefits do I receive with voluntary health insurance?
Voluntarily insured individuals receive the same range of benefits as those compulsorily insured under statutory health insurance. These include medical treatment, hospital stays, medications, and the possibility of free family insurance.
How are contributions for self-employed individuals calculated in voluntary health insurance?
For self-employed individuals, the entire income up to the contribution assessment ceiling is considered. They can choose between the general contribution rate (fourteen point six percent plus additional contribution) with entitlement to sick pay or the reduced rate (fourteen point zero percent plus additional contribution) without sick pay.
Is there a minimum contribution in voluntary health insurance?
Yes, contributions are based on a minimum assessment basis of 1,248.33 euros monthly (2025). The minimum contribution is around 175 euros (at a contribution rate of fourteen point zero percent) plus additional and long-term care insurance.
What deadlines must I observe when joining voluntary health insurance?
Joining voluntary health insurance must usually be reported to the health insurance fund within three months after the end of the previous mandatory insurance or family insurance.
Can I insure my family with a voluntary insurance policy?
Yes, a major advantage of voluntary statutory health insurance is the ability to insure spouses (with low or no income) and children free of charge under family insurance.
