No income threshold for freelancers
Unlike employees, freelancers and self-employed professionals are exempt from the JAEG income threshold.
This means you can choose private health insurance regardless of your income level.
Whether you earn €30,000 or €300,000 — the choice is yours.
Why GKV is often expensive for freelancers
In the public system, self-employed people pay the full contribution — there is no employer sharing the cost.
For self-employed individuals in GKV:
- Contributions are based on assessed income
- The minimum contribution starts around €200/month
- Once income rises, contributions can reach €900+/month
- There is no employer subsidy to share the burden
The PKV advantage for freelancers
- Premium based on age and health, not income — your premium doesn't rise when your business grows
- Fixed monthly cost — predictable for financial planning
- Tax-deductible premiums — as a business expense
- Premium coverage — chief physician, private hospital rooms, direct specialist access
- Premium refunds — cashback for claim-free years
Important considerations for freelancers
No employer subsidy
As a freelancer, you pay the full premium yourself. There is no employer contribution. However, the entire premium is typically tax-deductible.
Returning to GKV
If you later take up employment, returning to statutory insurance is possible if your income is below the JAEG. However, this becomes very difficult after age 55.
Family considerations
In PKV, each family member needs their own contract. If your partner has no income and is not employed, this affects the total cost calculation.
Best PKV strategy for freelancers
- Enter young — lock in the lowest possible premium
- Choose a suitable deductible — since you have no employer subsidy, a deductible of €300–€1,500 can meaningfully reduce your monthly premium
- Use premium refunds — maintain low claims to receive annual cashback
- Prepay premiums — the 2.5-year prepayment strategy creates significant tax savings