For doctors in Bavaria, the Ärzteversorgung is where old-age provision, disability cover and survivors benefits are organised under the rules of the professions. If you are planning your start into work, you should know early when membership begins, how the contribution is calculated and when exemption from statutory pension insurance is possible. This guide sets out the checks and says openly which figures you need to look up in the rules themselves.
Short answer: Whether and when you become a member of the Ärzteversorgung Bayern is determined by the Bavarian law on the health professions and by the statutes (Satzung) of the scheme. Exemption from statutory pension insurance is governed by section 6 SGB VI and must be applied for under the conditions set out there. We deliberately do not state contribution rates here, because they can change and the current statutes are decisive. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- Whether you must join a professional pension scheme depends on your profession and where you work. Check this before you take your first position.
- Exemption from statutory pension insurance under section 6 SGB VI is a separate application. Without it, you can end up paying twice.
- The contribution follows the rules of the statutes. It is usually based on income from medical work.
- Benefits such as old-age pension, disability pension and survivors pensions are set out in the statutes and should be read before you join.
- For an assessment of your own situation, a personal consultation helps. You will find information on academycon.de.
When does the obligation to become a member begin?
Membership in a professional pension scheme is linked to practising the health profession. If you hold an Approbation (licence to practise medicine) and work as a doctor, you generally fall under the obligation. Whether exceptions apply, for example for part-time work, parental leave, research or work abroad, follows from state law and the statutes. The exact start date determines the deadline for exemption, so note the day your work begins in your calendar.
Many newcomers start with a further training post in a hospital or practice. In this phase, questions about the chamber, the pension insurance and health insurance often overlap. An overview of cover during further training is given in Ärzte in Weiterbildung: PKV, Versorgungswerk und BU richtig kombinieren (in German).
How is the contribution calculated?
Contributions to a professional pension scheme are generally calculated from income from medical work. The statutes set the assessment base, a contribution rate or a table of brackets, and minimum or maximum amounts. At the start of a career, income is often low and uneven, so the minimum contribution deserves particular attention.
| Check | What to look for | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory membership | Profession, place of work, start date | Statutes and state law |
| Contribution | Assessment base, rate, minimum and maximum amount | Current statutes or contribution rules |
| Exemption | Application, deadline, effect on pension insurance | Section 6 SGB VI |
| Benefits | Old-age pension, disability, survivors | Statutes of the scheme |
To check your contribution at the start of your career, follow these steps:
- Note the start of your medical work and check whether you fall under the obligation.
- Submit the exemption application under section 6 SGB VI before the statutory pension obligation takes effect.
- Read the current statutes on assessment, minimum contribution and brackets, and calculate your expected income.
- Clarify open questions in writing with the scheme before you accept a notice.
Which benefits should I compare?
The old-age pension from the scheme does not automatically replace the statutory pension, and the exemption has a direct effect on that. The disability benefits of the Ärzteversorgung differ from private disability insurance, and survivors pensions follow their own rules. If you want to plan your protection fully, look at both separately. For help with choosing disability cover, see BU für Ärzte in Weiterbildung: Klauseln und Berufsgruppe (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for the exemption later?
That depends on the rules in section 6 SGB VI. The effect of the exemption is tied to deadlines, so do not postpone the application. If in doubt, the pension insurance or the scheme will clarify your individual case.
Do I pay twice if I am a member of the scheme and of the statutory pension insurance?
This can happen if no exemption applies. With a valid exemption, you pay the compulsory contribution to the scheme and not to the statutory pension insurance. Check your notices before you transfer contributions to both bodies.
Is part-time work at the start of a career treated differently?
Whether part-time work changes the obligation or the assessment follows from state law and the statutes. Ask the scheme before you sign your employment contract.
Where can I find the current version of the statutes?
On the website of the Ärzteversorgung and in the publications of the chamber. Pay attention to the date of the version, because changes often take effect at the beginning of the year or on the first day of a month.
What to do now
- At the start of your career, clarify whether you fall under the compulsory membership, and note the start date.
- Apply for exemption from statutory pension insurance under section 6 SGB VI, in the required form and within the deadline.
- Read the current statutes on contributions, exemption and benefits, and calculate your expected income.
- Compare the benefits with your other protection and close gaps before they arise.
Related reading
- Ärzteversorgung Baden-Württemberg: Beitrag, Befreiung, Leistungen (in German)
- Ärzte in Weiterbildung: PKV, Versorgungswerk und BU richtig kombinieren (in German)
- Krankenversicherung beim Berufseinstieg: Vom Examen zum ersten Arbeitsvertrag (in German)
- Befreiung von der Versicherungspflicht (Glossar) (in German)
- BU für Ärzte in Weiterbildung: Klauseln und Berufsgruppe (in German)
Sources: Section 6 SGB VI, exemption from pension insurance obligation (gesetze-im-internet.de, in German). The statutes of the Bavarian Ärzteversorgung are the decisive source for contributions and benefits.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
