What happens to your health insurance contributions whilst on Elternzeit?
Here is one thing a lot of parents do not see coming. They have researched their rights to maternity and parental leave, their entitlement to Elterngeld but then, wait, who will be paying the health insurance contributions whilst they’re on parental leave? We’ve gathered here everything you need to know about this topic, and the answer is: it depends!
First of all, you will need to find out two things:
- which category you fall under: whether it’s employee, self-employed, unemployed with ALGI / ALGII. If you only have one activity then it’s easy, but if you have two (employed with some side freelance hustle or unemployed with ALGI but with a small income from employment on the side), make sure you know how you’re classified
- The type of health insurance you have. This can be private (privat versichert), public mandatory (gesetzlich pflicht versichert), public voluntary (freiwillig gesetzlich versichert – if you’re a freelancer or a high earner), or with the Künstler Social Kasse (KSK).
Your health insurance is your primary point of contact to answer both these questions.
For employees
If you are employed + mandatory public insurance
Good news! You will not have to pay your health insurance contributions whilst on maternity or parental leave.
If you are employed + voluntary public insurance
Unfortunately you will need to keep paying some health insurance contributions whilst on maternity and parental leave. The level will however be adjusted to the minimum amount of currently 210€ per month. Some employers will however keep contributing during the maternity leave, but not during the parental leave.
Exception: you are married and your spouse is insured in the public system. You can be insured as a family member free of charge.
If you are employed + private insurance
Sadly, you will need to keep paying your full health insurance contributions whilst on maternity and parental leave. Some employers will however keep contributing during the maternity leave, but not during the parental leave.
If you need help to work all the small details that come with applying for Elterngeld,
For self-employed
If you are self-employed + voluntary public insurance
Unfortunately you will need to keep paying some health insurance contributions whilst on maternity and parental leave. The level will however be adjusted to the minimum amount of currently 210€ per month.
Exception: you are married and your spouse is insured in the public system. You can be insured as a family member free of charge.
If you are self-employed + private insurance
Sadly, you will need to keep paying your full health insurance contributions whilst on maternity and parental leave.
If you are self-employed + KSK
Good news! You will not have to pay your health insurance contributions whilst on maternity or parental leave.
Hundreds of satisfied clients have trusted me with their Elterngeld application,
For unemployed
Foreword: Unemployed usually go into the mandatory public insurance system once they start their unemployment, even if they were with a private insurance beforehand. You can however choose to remain privately insured. If you have a small income on the side which remains under 15hours / week, you are still considered as unemployed.
If you are unemployed + mandatory public insurance
Good news! You will not have to pay your health insurance contributions whilst on maternity or parental leave.
If you are unemployed + private insurance
Sadly, you will need to keep paying your full health insurance contributions whilst on maternity and parental leave.
Keep in mind
The above applies if you are not working whilst on maternity and parental leave. As soon as you start earning some income, make sure to let the health insurance know so they can advise you on your obligations towards potential contributions you need to make. This is especially true if you are with the KSK!
About Baby in Berlin
Baby in Berlin is a maternity concierge for international families in Germany, guiding through everything there is to know about having a baby in Germany.
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