No Salary Threshold for the Self-Employed
Unlike employees, the self-employed (Selbststaendige) and freelancers (Freiberufler) are not bound by the salary threshold (Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze) that governs access to private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung, PKV). From the moment you register a self-employed activity, you are free to choose between voluntary statutory insurance (freiwillige gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) and PKV, regardless of how much you earn.
This freedom is one reason PKV is especially popular among freelancers: a young, healthy self-employed professional can often secure comprehensive private cover for less than voluntary GKV would cost.
Key difference: in voluntary GKV your contribution is a percentage of income (including, in many cases, capital income), while in PKV your premium is based on age, health and chosen benefits — not on how much you earn. High earners therefore often pay less in PKV.
How GKV Contributions Work for Freelancers
Voluntary GKV charges roughly 14.6% plus a supplementary rate (Zusatzbeitrag) on your assessable income, up to the contribution ceiling (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze), plus long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung). Crucially, the statutory fund can take other income — such as rental or investment income — into account, and applies a minimum income assumption even if your business is making little. That can make GKV surprisingly expensive for the self-employed.
What PKV Costs the Self-Employed
PKV premiums depend on your age at entry, your health (assessed via the Gesundheitspruefung), and the benefit level you choose. A healthy freelancer in their thirties might pay a comparable or lower amount than voluntary GKV while getting faster appointments, single-room hospital cover and broader dental benefits. Add the optional daily sickness benefit (Krankentagegeld) to replace income if you cannot work — vital for the self-employed, who have no employer sick pay.
| Factor | Voluntary GKV | PKV |
|---|---|---|
| Premium basis | % of income (incl. other income) | Age, health, benefits |
| Benefits | Standardised | Tailored, often broader |
| Family members | Free family insurance possible | Each person separately insured |
| Income protection | Krankengeld optional | Krankentagegeld flexible |
When GKV May Still Be Better
PKV is not automatically the right choice. Voluntary GKV can be more economical if you:
- Have a spouse without income and several children who could use free family insurance (Familienversicherung)
- Have significant pre-existing conditions that would raise PKV premiums or trigger exclusions
- Expect your income to stay modest, keeping percentage-based contributions low
Practical Steps to Join PKV
Compare tariffs across several insurers, complete the health questionnaire honestly (errors can void cover later), decide on your deductible (Selbstbeteiligung) and daily-sickness benefit, and confirm the start date. Because your entry age is locked into the premium calculation, joining while young and healthy is financially advantageous — and an independent advisor can match tariffs to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
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