Do I have to have statutory health insurance? Your guide to compulsory health insurance in Germany

Who is covered by compulsory health insurance?

In Germany, various groups of people are subject to statutory insurance. These include:

• Employees who earn more than 538 euros per month but are below the annual earnings limit (AEL) of 69,300 euros (as of 2024).
• Agricultural and forestry entrepreneurs, artists and publicists.
• Students, trainees and interns in mandatory, unpaid internships.
• Recipients of unemployment benefit I, maintenance allowance or citizen’s allowance under certain conditions.
• Pensioners with specific pre-insurance periods.

These regulations ensure that a broad section of the population is included in the statutory system and protected against the financial risks of illness and the need for long-term care.

Who can be exempted from the statutory insurance obligation?

In fact, there are exceptions that allow you to opt out of the statutory insurance obligation.

• Employees whose salary exceeds the limit of EUR 69,300 per year can opt for private health insurance.
• Self-employed persons and freelancers who have the choice between statutory and private insurance.
• Certain groups such as first-year students or people on very low incomes can also claim exemptions.

People over the age of 55 who have had private health insurance in the last five years can no longer switch to statutory health insurance – unless they can be insured through their partner’s family insurance. This rule is intended to prevent people from suddenly switching between systems as they get older.

Are you unsure about your health insurance situation in Germany? KassenKompass helps you to create clarity. Find out about your options now and make sure you are optimally covered!