Voluntary Insurance (Statutory Health Insurance)

Concept

Voluntary insurance is a form of membership in Germany’s statutory health insurance available to people who have left compulsory insurance (for example after ending employment subject to compulsory insurance) or who, due to their status, such as being self-employed, are generally not subject to compulsory insurance but nevertheless wish to become or remain members of statutory health insurance.

Requirements and Deadlines

Joining voluntary insurance generally requires a sufficient period of prior statutory health insurance coverage and must be reported to the relevant health insurance fund within a statutory deadline after leaving compulsory insurance; if this deadline is missed, joining voluntary insurance can become more difficult or be excluded.

Contribution Assessment

Unlike compulsorily insured members, whose contribution is derived directly from wages subject to social insurance, the contribution of voluntarily insured members is calculated based on their total economic capacity, including other types of income such as rental or investment income, up to the contribution assessment ceiling, which is particularly relevant for self-employed persons with significantly fluctuating income.