In short: If you start your Vorbereitungsdienst as a civil servant trainee (Beamter auf Widerruf), your student health insurance (KVdS) ends with the semester in which you are deregistered from university. Then clarify your status first. Civil servants entitled to Beihilfe (state aid for medical costs) are exempt from statutory health insurance under Section 6 (1) No. 2 SGB V and usually cover the remainder through private health insurance. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points
- Compulsory student insurance ends with the end of the semester in which you are deregistered (Section 190 (9) SGB V).
- Civil servants entitled to Beihilfe are exempt from statutory health insurance (Section 6 (1) No. 2 SGB V).
- As a rule, Beihilfe covers 50 percent of eligible costs if you have no children. Hesse is different.
- You usually cover the rest with a supplementary plan for the remaining costs, often a trainee tariff (Anwärtertarif).
- If you stay in statutory insurance voluntarily, you pay the full contribution yourself. A worked example shows the scale.
Step 1: Close your student insurance cleanly
Your student health insurance ends together with your studies. Under Section 190 (9) SGB V, membership ends with the last semester for which you were enrolled or re-registered, once you have been deregistered. What counts is the end of the semester, not the day of your final exam.
Plan the handover so that new cover starts without a gap. The guide Health insurance between exams and the Referendariat (in German) explains how to avoid gaps.
Step 2: Clarify your status before you choose
The right order depends on the legal relationship in which you begin your training. In many German states you are appointed as a civil servant on probation (Beamter auf Widerruf). Other states and subjects use a public-law training relationship (öffentlich-rechtliches Ausbildungsverhältnis). Your appointment letter or placement notice tells you which model applies.
Civil servants on probation who are entitled to continued pay and Beihilfe are exempt from statutory health insurance under Section 6 (1) No. 2 SGB V. The duty to hold health insurance under Section 193 (3) of the German Insurance Contract Act (VVG) also does not apply to people entitled to Beihilfe (sentence 2 No. 2). This does not mean you are covered for everything. Beihilfe pays only part of the costs, and the rest needs targeted cover.
If you are not a civil servant, the general rules of social insurance apply. Whether you become a compulsory member of statutory health insurance depends on your individual case. Get written confirmation from your health insurer before you cancel an existing policy.
Step 3: Beihilfe and supplementary cover
As a civil servant on probation you receive Beihilfe under your state’s Beihilfe regulation. The standard rate for civil servants without children is 50 percent of eligible costs. Higher rates apply with children and vary by state. In Hesse, the rate under the Merkblatt to the HBeihVO is 70 percent for outpatient and dental treatment and 85 percent for inpatient care.
Worked example (assumption): A medical bill of 400 euros is eligible for Beihilfe. At a rate of 50 percent, Beihilfe pays 200 euros. The other 200 euros stay with you unless your supplementary plan reimburses them. Your tariff determines how much comes back. The guide Submitting Beihilfe claims explains the process.
Step 4: Consider voluntary statutory insurance
If you want to stay in statutory insurance, you can continue voluntarily under Section 9 SGB V. You then pay the full contribution from your pay. The contribution includes the reduced rate of 14.0 percent under Section 243 SGB V and your insurer’s additional contribution. The average additional contribution was 2.9 percent in 2026. Your insurer’s actual rate may differ.
Worked example (assumption): Gross pay of 1,800 euros per month, a rate of 14.0 percent plus an additional contribution of 2.9 percent, so 16.9 percent in total. The health insurance contribution is then 1,800 × 16.9 percent = 304.20 euros per month. Long-term care insurance is extra and not calculated here. Employer contributions from the state are not included. Whether they exist and how high they are depends on state law.
For voluntary members, a minimum contribution assessment base of 1,318.33 euros per month applies in 2026. This results in a minimum health insurance contribution of 222.80 euros per month (GKV-Spitzenverband, status 2026). With pay at the level of a trainee, your contribution is usually higher.
Step 5: The order at a glance
| Phase | What to do | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|
| End of studies | KVdS ends with the semester of deregistration | Section 190 (9) SGB V |
| Appointment or placement | Clarify status: civil servant on probation or training relationship | Appointment letter, state law |
| Exemption | Check the Beihilfe entitlement and statutory exemption for civil servants | Section 6 (1) No. 2 SGB V |
| Cover | Choose a supplementary private plan or voluntary statutory insurance | Section 193 (3) VVG, Section 9 SGB V |
| Applications | Submit applications promptly and answer health questions completely | Insurer’s application documents |
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to switch to private insurance immediately after appointment?
You do not have to switch in every case, but Beihilfe alone covers only part of the costs. A supplementary plan should therefore be in place from the day you become entitled to Beihilfe. Check the rates for your state with the responsible Beihilfe office.
What happens if I miss a deadline?
People entitled to Beihilfe are not subject to the duty under Section 193 VVG, so the statutory surcharge from that provision does not apply. Gaps can still arise if a tariff starts late, and pre-existing conditions make acceptance harder. Early inquiries are worthwhile.
Can I stay in statutory insurance after appointment?
Yes, voluntary membership under Section 9 SGB V is possible. You then pay the contribution yourself. Whether your employer contributes is governed by state law. Compare the costs with the supplementary-cover model before you decide.
Does all of this also apply to a training relationship?
Not automatically. Without civil servant status, the general rules of social insurance apply, and the health insurer decides on the individual case. Get the answer in writing before you cancel anything.
What changes if I have children?
In most states, higher Beihilfe rates apply with children, and family allowances are added. The details differ by federal state. The guide Referendariat and children gives an overview.
Which is better for me, private or statutory insurance?
Private insurance tends to suit you if you can combine Beihilfe with a tariff that covers the remaining costs well and you are in good health. Voluntary statutory insurance is easier to plan, because its contribution follows your income and the benefits are set by law. What matters is which benefits are important to you and which contribution you can carry over the long term.
What to do now
- Fix your last day of studies and your deregistration date, so you know when KVdS ends.
- Get your status and Beihilfe entitlement confirmed in writing, for example through your appointment letter.
- Compare a supplementary plan with voluntary statutory insurance using your pay and your health situation.
- Submit applications on time and keep all proof of the start of cover.
Related reading
- Health insurance during the Referendariat: statutory, private or Beihilfe (in German)
- Which health insurance as a trainee? A decision guide in five steps
- Trainee tariffs in private health insurance
- What happens to your private insurance after your studies (in German)
Sources: Section 6 SGB V, exemption from insurance, Section 190 SGB V, end of membership, Section 193 VVG, insured person and duty to insure, Section 9 SGB V, voluntary insurance, GKV-Spitzenverband, reference figures 2026 (German sources, retrieved October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
