Becoming a civil servant on probation (Beamter auf Probe) after your degree brings its own health insurance logic. Civil servants do not follow the contribution model of employees, but receive Beihilfe, a state benefit that is part of their cover. The question is therefore not only whether to choose private (PKV) or statutory health insurance (GKV), but how Beihilfe and private insurance fit together.
Short answer: Civil servants receive Beihilfe from their employer. The Berlin state administration’s leaflet (status January 2021) lists a standard rate of 50 percent for civil servants, 70 percent for spouses and 80 percent for children. Private or statutory insurance covers the rest. According to the leaflet, the PKV open-enrolment offer usually applies only in the first six months after appointment.
The most important points at a glance
- Civil servants on probation receive Beihilfe, and health insurance supplements it as cover for the remaining costs.
- The leaflet lists 50 percent for civil servants, 70 percent for spouses and 80 percent for children (status January 2021).
- The duty to have health insurance applies to everyone living in Germany, but the form (PKV or GKV) depends on your status.
- According to the leaflet, the PKV open-enrolment offer for new civil servants usually applies only in the first six months after appointment.
- Rates and deadlines can differ by employer. What counts is the Beihilfe office of your state or of the federal government.
How does Beihilfe work for civil servants on probation?
Beihilfe is not an insurance but a benefit from your employer that covers part of your medical costs. The rest is covered by health insurance. The level of Beihilfe depends on your status and your family. The figures in the leaflet of the Berlin state administration show the usual orders of magnitude:
| Person | Beihilfe rate per leaflet (status January 2021) | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Civil servant | 50 percent | Your employer covers half of the costs, and you must insure the rest |
| Spouse or registered partner | 70 percent (depending on income) | Your spouse’s own income can affect the rate |
| Children | 80 percent | Family status and number of children affect your cover |
Beihilfe is also billed differently depending on the type of service. Dental prostheses, optional hospital services or therapies can follow different rules. The Beihilfe notice shows you which share was covered, and it is the basis for your insurance.
The leaflet dates from 2021, so the rates may have changed. Check them with the Beihilfe office of your employer (Berlin leaflet, status January 2021, in German).
Must I be privately insured as a civil servant on probation?
The duty to have health insurance at all applies to every person living in Germany. The leaflet mentions this general duty explicitly. It contains no separate rule for trainees or civil servants on probation. Civil servants are generally not in statutory insurance, because they are exempt under section 6(1) no. 2 of the Social Code Book V (in German). In practice, Beihilfe runs through your employer and insurance complements it. Whether you choose a private comprehensive policy or a Beihilfe tariff is your decision, within the rules of your employer.
When does private insurance suit civil servants on probation?
Private health insurance can make sense if you compare benefits, tariffs and replacement services carefully. Many civil servants choose a private supplement, because Beihilfe covers only part of the costs. Points in favour often include the scope of benefits, the choice of doctors and the ability to steer contributions through the tariff.
Against private insurance speaks that contributions usually rise with age and that the tariff is fixed in the contract. For civil servants with children, the contribution for children can also matter. Do not decide on the first-year premium alone, but on the overall calculation and your life plan. A personal assessment is offered by Academycon (in German).
What is the PKV open-enrolment offer and how long does it last?
New civil servants have a so-called PKV open-enrolment offer. It makes it possible to take out private insurance within a deadline. Details on health checks and tariffs are clarified with your employer. According to the leaflet, it regularly applies only in the first six months after the first appointment as a civil servant. After this period, the choice is possible only under narrower conditions.
Because the rules vary by state and employer, one point is central: the deadline runs from the appointment, not from the end of your studies. Check the offer with the responsible office and have it confirmed in writing.
What role does the Referendariat play?
Many appointments on probation follow the Referendariat, for example for teachers or lawyers. During this time other rules often apply than after appointment. If you move between studies and probation, plan the transition carefully. More is in our guide on health insurance during the Referendariat (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Do I automatically get Beihilfe as a civil servant on probation?
Yes, civil servants on probation generally have a claim to Beihilfe once the civil servant relationship exists. Your employer sets the exact entitlement and the applications. A Beihilfe application is usually required, so submit your documents early.
Can I be in statutory insurance as a civil servant on probation?
Civil servants are generally exempt from statutory health insurance. If you still want statutory cover, clarify this with your employer first, because other subsidies and rules then apply.
Do I have to decide immediately after appointment?
Whether there is pressure to decide depends on the deadline set by your employer. The open-enrolment offer is time-limited, so check the deadline right after your appointment and document your choice.
How does part-time work as a civil servant affect my cover?
With part-time work in the civil service Beihilfe generally remains, but the calculation can change. Your personnel office clarifies how your working hours affect pay and cover. An overview of part-time rules is in our guide on part-time work after graduation.
What happens if I do not get the civil service appointment?
Then the rules for employees apply. Your salary decides whether statutory insurance is compulsory or whether you can choose private insurance. The process is explained in our guide on job changes during probation.
What to do now
- Ask your personnel office for the exact Beihilfe rate and the deadlines for the PKV open-enrolment offer.
- Compare private insurance offers and look at benefits, tariff levels and the expected contribution development.
- Have promises and deadlines confirmed in writing before you decide.
- Plan cover for the transition period between studies, Referendariat and appointment.
- If you are unsure, ask for the overall calculation over several years.
Related guides
- Health insurance during clerkship: GKV, PKV and Beihilfe
- Career Start After University: Your Guide to the First Job
- First Job Health Insurance: Statutory or Private?
- Beihilfe im Referendariat: Anspruch, Satz und Antrag (in German)
Sources: Land Berlin, leaflet on appointment and Beihilfe, status January 2021 (in German); section 6 Social Code Book V (in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
