Health insurance for the self-employed

Health insurance for the self-employed in Germany – the 3 options:

Option 1: voluntary statutory insurance (GKV):

• Contribution: 14.6% + additional contribution on your income (maximum contribution approx. €1,050/month)
• Minimum contribution: approx. €220/month (with low income)
• Advantage: family insurance (partner + children insured free of charge!)
• Disadvantage: with a good income: more expensive than PKV

Option 2: private (PKV):

• Contribution depends on age, health, scope of benefits
• Advantage: often cheaper for young, healthy singles. Better benefits
• Disadvantage: children/partner have to be insured individually (€150–200/child!). Contributions rise with age

Option 3: Künstlersozialkasse (KSK, artists' social insurance fund):

• Only for artists, publicists, journalists
• The KSK pays half the contributions (like an employer!)
• Definitely check whether you're eligible

Recommendation: families with children: almost always GKV (family insurance!). Singles without pre-existing conditions: PKV can be cheaper, but beware of rising contributions in old age.