{"id":2141,"date":"2021-08-26T02:44:24","date_gmt":"2021-08-26T00:44:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.accountable.de\/?p=2141"},"modified":"2026-10-07T13:40:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T11:40:23","slug":"insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.accountable.de\/en\/blog\/insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"A guide to insurance for freelancers in Germany"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A very important aspect to setting up as a freelancer in Germany is making sure you\u2019re adequately covered by the insurances that are right for you \u2013 and we don\u2019t just mean health insurance! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a range of other types of insurance that you may wish to consider as you begin your career as a freelancer in Germany. With this article, we hope to provide you with an overview of different kinds of insurance, and a starting point from which you can decide what kind of insurance might be right for you.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health insurance (<\/span>\u201cKrankenversicherung\u201d<\/span><\/i>)<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Health insurance is arguably one of the most talked about topics among foreign freelance communities in Germany. <\/span>Who is your provider? How much do you pay? Are you in the KSK?<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And rightly so, as it\u2019s also the most important. Health insurance is mandatory in Germany, and it ensures you\u2019ll have quick and affordable access to quality healthcare for the duration of the time you live here. You cannot opt out of having health insurance, and if you try to, you\u2019ll end up having to back-pay (not fun!).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Without an employer to foot half of the bill \u2014 as is the case for people with traditional employment \u2014 the self-employed must pay all their health insurance contributions completely on their own, unless they qualify for the social security fund for artists, the KSK (\u201cK\u00fcnstlersozialkasse\u201d). <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This guide gives a complete run-down of the most important things to know about the German healthcare system and how it applies to the self-employed.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pension insurance (<\/span>\u201cRente\u201d<\/span><\/i>)<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While pension insurance is mandatory for freelancers in specific professions, such as teachers, midwives, artists, and publicists, it is generally up to you to ensure you have something in place to support yourself when you eventually reach the stage in life where you\u2019re no longer generating income through work.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

German pension insurance is based on a system of three pillars, each of which is more or less relevant to freelancers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

State pension insurance<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some freelance occupations, such as those mentioned above, are obliged by law to contribute to the state pension system. Others can make voluntary contributions. People who are employed, but have a freelance side job, already pay into the state pension system via their regular job.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Voluntary occupational pension<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Voluntary occupational pension schemes are only relevant to freelancers if they are also employed by a company. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private pension plans<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Private pension plans are retirement funds that are contributed to by the individual \u2013 freelancer or otherwise \u2013 through their earnings. You have the option to set up a private pension plan directly through an insurance provider, or to opt for the government sponsored Riester (Riester Rente) or R\u00fcrup (R\u00fcrup Rente) pension schemes.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article outlines in detail each of the pillars of pension and how they apply to freelancers.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Professional indemnity insurance (<\/span>\u201cBerufshaftpflichtversicherung\u201d<\/span><\/i>)<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Professional liability or indemnity insurance protects you and your freelance business from a number of risks that could pop up in the course of your career as your own boss. It is not mandatory, but it can be a useful and affordable way to protect yourself financially throughout the course of your freelancer career, particularly if you regularly give professional advice to clients. Some clients even require their contractors to take out professional liability insurance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some of the things that adequate professional liability insurance would protect you against include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n