A doctorate in law (German: Promotion in den Rechtswissenschaften) leads to the title Dr. iur. Many doctoral students work as academic staff at a chair, receive a scholarship or write their thesis alongside the legal traineeship (Referendariat) or a job. For law graduates, insurance therefore depends heavily on which status applies at the time.
Short answer: A post for your own academic qualification may be fixed-term for up to six years under Section 2 WissZeitVG. During the legal traineeship, insurance follows your status as a trainee, not the doctorate. A full-time post in grade E 13 ranged from 4,759.37 to 6,764.69 euros gross per month according to the TV-L table as of October 2026. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points
- The title is Dr. iur. Access rules, grade requirements and submission deadlines are set in your faculty’s doctoral regulations (Promotionsordnung).
- A post at a chair is an employment contract. The employer then pays its share of social insurance, unless an exemption applies.
- A scholarship has no employer. Health insurance then usually runs through voluntary insurance or family insurance.
- During the traineeship, the status of trainee applies. The doctorate does not change that by itself.
- A qualification post may be fixed-term for up to six years under Section 2 WissZeitVG.
How long does a doctorate in law take?
The law sets no fixed duration. The faculty’s doctoral regulations set the requirements, and supervision sets the pace. For posts, the limit in Section 2 (1) of the WissZeitVG (Act on Fixed-Term Contracts in Academia) applies: up to six years for your own academic qualification. This limit concerns the post, not the work on your thesis.
| Route | Insurance | Governing rule |
|---|---|---|
| Academic post at a chair | The employer pays its share, unless an exemption applies | Employment contract, Sections 5 and 6 SGB V |
| Doctoral scholarship | Usually voluntary insurance or family insurance | Award letter, Section 10 SGB V |
| Doctorate alongside the traineeship | Insurance follows the status as a trainee | Civil service rules of the state |
What does a post at a chair pay?
Academic staff at universities are often graded under the collective agreement for the German federal states (TV-L), for example in pay grade E 13. According to the published table, valid from 1 April to 31 December 2026, grade E 13 runs from 4,759.37 euros gross per month in step 1 to 6,764.69 euros in step 6 (as of October 2026). The step is stated in your contract. The table may change from 2027.
Worked example: a 75 percent post at step 2
Assumption: 75 percent of a grade E 13 post at step 2, which means 3,829.57 euros gross per month. The figures cover only health and long-term care insurance. Income tax, pension and unemployment insurance are not included.
- Health insurance: 8.75 percent employee share, from 14.6 percent plus 2.9 percent additional contribution, which is 335.09 euros.
- Long-term care insurance: 1.8 percent, which is 68.93 euros. If you are childless and 23 or older, it is 2.4 percent, or 91.91 euros.
The insurance threshold for employees was 77,400 euros per year in 2026. This post stays below it. Whether you are above the threshold depends on your annual pay including special payments (Section 6 SGB V). For your net pay, use the calculator of the German Federal Ministry of Finance at bmf-steuerrechner.de.
Doctorate alongside the traineeship: what is different?
If you do your doctorate alongside the legal traineeship, you remain a trainee. Health insurance and state aid follow that status. Our guide Law student insurance: from studies to traineeship covers the basics. If you also take a post at a chair, check working hours, contribution share and social insurance separately.
Post or scholarship: which route suits law?
- Post: you work at the chair and gain insight into academic life, with tasks set out in the contract.
- Post: the fixed term limits planning. An extension needs a legal or contractual basis.
- Scholarship: you control your time more, but usually pay health insurance yourself.
- Scholarship: awards depend on deadlines, documents and a selection process.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a top grade for the doctorate?
The faculty’s doctoral regulations state which grade is required. Read them before you apply. Ask the doctoral office whether exceptions are possible and how the grade counts for admission.
Can I do a doctorate during the traineeship?
That depends on the doctoral regulations and on the civil service rules of your state. Clarify both early, because your timetable and insurance can change.
Who pays health insurance during a post?
With an employment contract, the employer pays its share and you pay the rest. With a scholarship you usually pay the full contribution yourself, unless you are covered as a family member.
What happens when the post ends?
Compulsory insurance through the employer ends with the employment. Plan the switch to voluntary insurance or a new job early, so that there is no gap in cover.
What to do next
- Read your faculty’s doctoral regulations and note access rules, grades and deadlines.
- Compare post and scholarship, each with its term, payment and insurance.
- Ask the faculty whether and how a doctorate alongside the traineeship or a job is possible.
- Have grade, step and share of a full post confirmed in writing before you sign.
Related guides
- PhD in Germany: routes, titles and requirements
- Law student insurance: from studies to traineeship
- Health insurance during the traineeship (in German)
- Financing a doctorate (in German)
Sources: Destatis, press release on doctorates 2025 (in German, 2 Oct 2026); WissZeitVG Section 2, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German, retrieved October 2026); Section 5 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German); Section 6 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de (in German); GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 calculation values (in German, 1 Jan 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
