A self-employed student cannot remain in compulsory student insurance if the work counts as full-time. Whether an activity is full-time depends on its scope, organisation and economic significance. As a guide, regularly more than 20 hours per week during the lecture period counts, with employed hours included. In that case, you keep voluntary statutory or private health insurance, which costs considerably more than compulsory student insurance.
The key points at a glance
- Compulsory student insurance does not apply to full-time self-employment. Even under 20 hours per week, an activity can count as full-time.
- Family insurance: no full-time self-employment, and your profit counts towards the income limit of €565 per month. There is no flat-rate deduction for work-related expenses for self-employment.
- If you are neither compulsorily insured nor family insured, you take out voluntary statutory or private insurance.
- The exemption from compulsory insurance is irrevocable and normally applies to the whole course of study.
When is a self-employed student working full-time?
The health fund judges full-time work by its scope, organisation and economic significance. Working hours serve as a guide: regularly more than 20 hours per week during the lecture period points to full-time work, with employed hours included. It is not a fixed rule, because even under 20 hours an activity can be full-time. Whether it is a trade or a freelance activity, the actual scope is what matters. The Barmer describes the criteria in more detail.
The fund decides how much profit and how many hours are still unproblematic in an individual case. If you are just starting a project, clarify this with the fund in advance. How the business itself is set up is covered in self-employment during your studies (in German).
Can you stay in family insurance with a trade or freelance activity?
Yes, if the activity is not full-time and your total income does not exceed the limit. In 2026 this is €565 per month for all income combined. For self-employment, your profit counts, and you cannot deduct the flat-rate allowance for work-related expenses of €102.50 that employees can claim. The following do not count as income: child benefit, BAföG, parental allowance, housing benefit and tax-free scholarships (betanet). The conditions of family insurance are set out in section 10 SGB V.
An occasional, unpredictable excess can be harmless. Clarify in advance with your health fund how long this applies. If family insurance ends, you must inform the fund. You will find the other age limits in health insurance for students (in German).
Which health insurance applies to a self-employed student?
| Situation | Possible cover |
|---|---|
| Side activity, not full-time, profit up to €565 per month | Family insurance, as long as the age limit and other conditions are met |
| Side activity, not full-time, enrolled | Compulsory student insurance (in 2026 at least €118.16 or €123.29 plus the additional contribution) |
| Full-time self-employed | Voluntary statutory or private insurance |
| Exempted from compulsory insurance at the start of studies | Private health insurance, the exemption remains in place |
The row on compulsory insurance gives the contribution without the additional contribution, which you pay on top depending on your fund. It is calculated from a fixed need of €855, regardless of whether you receive BAföG.
What does voluntary statutory insurance cost for the self-employed?
In voluntary insurance, the minimum assessment base in 2026 is €1,318.33 per month. As a guide: with an assumed contribution rate of 14.0 per cent and an additional contribution of 2.18 per cent, this gives €268.68 for health and long-term care insurance without a child (€213.31 plus €55.37). At a contribution rate of 14.6 per cent, it would be €276.59. Your actual contribution depends on your fund and its additional contribution.
This is considerably more than the student contribution, which in 2026 is around €143 or €148 at the average additional contribution. Whether you are full-time self-employed therefore also matters financially. After your studies, voluntary insurance continues automatically if no other insurance applies.
Two examples
- Mara, 22, web design, family insured: She works about 8 hours per week and makes €500 profit per month. That does not point to full-time work, and the profit is below €565. Her family insurance remains. At €600 profit, the limit would be exceeded.
- Jonas, 25, online shop, enrolled: He works regularly 25 hours per week during the lecture period on his shop. That points to full-time work. If the fund classifies the activity this way, compulsory student insurance no longer applies and he needs voluntary statutory or private insurance.
Is PKV sensible for a self-employed student?
That depends on your situation. If you are not compulsorily insured, you can take out private insurance. If you are enrolled and only work on the side, you can be exempted from compulsory insurance at the start of your studies. You submit the application to the health fund within three months of the start of compulsory insurance. It takes effect retrospectively if you have not used any benefits by then, and it only becomes effective once you prove other insurance cover. The article applying for exemption from compulsory insurance (in German) explains how the application works.
Check the consequences carefully:
- The exemption cannot be revoked. A return to the GKV is usually possible only after your studies, for example through employment subject to compulsory insurance.
- On the application you must answer health questions truthfully. False information can lead to the insurer withdrawing or terminating the contract.
- Contributions can rise. The insurer reviews them regularly, and an independent trustee must approve adjustments.
What about the Künstlersozialkasse?
Self-employed people in artistic or publicistic professions can consider the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK). Whether you meet the requirements as a student is decided by the KSK itself. Ask there before you commit, and keep the answer in writing.
Frequently asked questions
Do I stay in student health insurance as a self-employed student?
Only if the self-employment is not full-time. The fund checks the scope, organisation and economic significance. Regularly more than 20 hours per week during the lecture period argues against it, but even under 20 hours an activity can be full-time.
Does my profit count for family insurance?
Yes. The profit counts towards your total income, which in 2026 may be at most €565 per month. For self-employment, you cannot deduct a flat-rate allowance for work-related expenses. BAföG, child benefit and maintenance do not count.
Do I have to tell my health fund about my self-employment?
The fund must be informed when family insurance ends, for example through full-time self-employment or your own insurance. For compulsory student insurance, the status depends on whether the work is full-time. So report the activity early.
What happens to my insurance after my studies?
Voluntary statutory insurance continues automatically if no other insurance applies. If you switch to PKV, the new cover must be proven before the statutory insurance is terminated.
So what should you do now
- Note your weekly hours, turnover and profit, separated into lecture period and lecture-free time.
- If you are family insured, compare your profit with the €565 monthly limit.
- Speak to your health fund about whether your activity counts as full-time before you change insurance.
- Do not decide on an exemption for PKV under time pressure. The deadline is three months, and the decision is final.
- If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the way to advice on the Academycon homepage.
You can read about our work on ProvenExpert, Trustlocal and Trustindex. Academycon was mentioned, among other places, in a report by VersicherungsJournal. An overview of all mentions is on the press page.
Related reading
- Self-employment during your studies: trade, taxes and health insurance (in German)
- PKV during part-time study: status and contribution (in German)
- Health insurance during an internship: what students need to know (in German)
- PKV for medical students: benefits and pitfalls (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This article provides general information and does not replace individual advice.
