When you graduate, your student cover ends, and the new solution depends on your age, income and family situation. Many graduates face a gap because they miss the switch. This guide shows the routes for new employees and self-employed people and the typical pitfalls in the transition.
Short answer: Student cover ends when you are de-registered. If you are an employee earning up to 6,450 euros gross a month (2026), you are compulsorily insured in statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV). Above that you may choose between GKV and private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung, PKV). Without employment you need a voluntary or private solution. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- Student membership ends with the semester in which you are de-registered (§ 5 SGB V).
- The compulsory insurance threshold for 2026 is 77,400 euros a year, so 6,450 euros a month (§ 6 SGB V).
- Employees below the threshold are compulsorily insured in GKV, with contributions based on income.
- Above the threshold you may choose between GKV and PKV.
- When you switch funds, a 12-month binding period generally applies (§ 175 Abs. 4 SGB V).
Which route suits you after studies?
For new graduates there are essentially three routes. Compulsory statutory insurance is the simplest solution for many, because the contribution depends on income and your employer pays half. Voluntary statutory insurance suits self-employed people or those without employment. Private health insurance can be an option at higher income, but it comes with its own rules on contributions, health screening and benefits.
| Situation | Health insurance | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Employee earning under 6,450 euros a month | Compulsory GKV, contribution by income up to the 5,812.50 euro ceiling | § 5 and § 6 SGB V |
| Employee earning over 6,450 euros a month | Choice between voluntary GKV and PKV | § 6 SGB V |
| Self-employed or without employment | Voluntary GKV (minimum basis 1,318.33 euros) or private | § 240 SGB V |
Worked example: starting salary of 3,500 euros gross
- Assumption: 3,500 euros gross a month, employed, 27 years old, no children, your fund charges 2.9 percent.
- Health insurance, employee share: half of 14.6 percent plus half of 2.9 percent, so 8.75 percent. 3,500 euros times 8.75 percent gives 306.25 euros.
- Long-term care, employee share: 1.8 percent plus the childless surcharge of 0.6 percent, together 2.4 percent. 3,500 euros times 2.4 percent gives 84.00 euros.
- Total: 306.25 euros plus 84.00 euros gives 390.25 euros a month, excluding the employer share.
Family insurance: when it ends
Children are covered under their parents’ family insurance until they turn 25, if they are in school or vocational training (§ 10 Abs. 2 Nr. 3 SGB V). When studies end, this entitlement generally ends with the training. In addition, total monthly income may not exceed 565 euros in 2026 (§ 10 Abs. 1 Nr. 5 SGB V). A special rule applies to mini-jobs up to 603 euros.
Avoiding a gap: the transition
The most common trap is the period between de-registration and your first contract. If you do not arrange new cover in time, you risk back payments and gaps in benefits. Before you de-register, clarify with your fund how the transition works. A personal consultation helps if income and the end of training coincide.
Switching between GKV and PKV
For employees, a move into PKV is generally possible only when income is above the compulsory insurance threshold (§ 6 SGB V). The route back to GKV depends on conditions that relate to income and duration. Do not rely on a simple switch, and check the terms in writing before you cancel anything.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to join GKV straight after graduation?
No, it depends on your income. Below the compulsory insurance threshold, statutory cover is compulsory. Above it, you have a choice. If you are self-employed, voluntary GKV or PKV applies.
Does my employer contribute if I have PKV?
Yes, there is an employer subsidy. It is based on the amount your employer would pay for statutory insurance (§ 257 SGB V). You pay the rest of the premium yourself.
From which salary can I switch to PKV?
The decisive figure is the compulsory insurance threshold, which was 6,450 euros a month in 2026. A draft sets 7,012.50 euros a month for 2027, but it is not yet in force.
Does the binding period for switching funds apply after studies too?
Generally yes, for 12 months. The period does not apply if membership ends by law or a special right to terminate exists (§ 175 Abs. 4 SGB V).
What to do now
- Before you de-register, estimate your likely income in the first year.
- Compare the result with the 2026 threshold and with the draft for 2027.
- Ask your fund when the new membership starts, so that no gap arises.
- Before applying for PKV, get the terms explained in writing and compare benefits, not only the contribution.
Self-employed after your studies: the minimum contribution
If you work self-employed after your studies, you are generally voluntarily insured. Contributions are then based on a minimum contribution basis, which for 2026 is 1,318.33 euros a month. That is one third of the reference income (§ 240 SGB V). A worked example shows the order of magnitude.
- Assumption: you are self-employed and pay on the minimum basis of 1,318.33 euros.
- Health insurance: reduced rate of 14.0 percent plus additional contribution of 2.9 percent, together 16.9 percent. 1,318.33 euros times 16.9 percent gives 222.80 euros.
- Long-term care without childless surcharge: 3.6 percent. 1,318.33 euros times 3.6 percent gives 47.46 euros.
- Total: 222.80 euros plus 47.46 euros gives 270.26 euros a month. With the childless surcharge, care rises to 55.37 euros and the total to 278.17 euros.
These amounts are minimum values. Your actual contribution can be higher if your assessed income is above the minimum. Your fund sets the assessment based on your information, so an honest estimate of your first-year income matters. The family insurance income comparison explains how the income limits work for relatives.
What to do before you leave university
- Ask your student fund which proof it needs for the end of your membership.
- Keep the de-registration certificate carefully, because it documents the end.
- Check whether you fall into compulsory cover at the start of the new job or need a bridging solution first.
- Note the deadlines for cancellation and registration in the new system before the semester change.
What about a mini-job after your studies?
A mini-job is exempt from health insurance contributions. It therefore does not replace your own cover. Family insurance depends on total income, and for marginal employment a special rule applies up to 603 euros a month (§ 10 Abs. 1 Satz 5 SGB V).
Related reading
- Health Insurance After Studies Without a Job: Options and Costs
- Health Insurance Income Limit 2026: What It Means
- Health Insurance Gap Between Bachelor and Master: What Applies
Sources:
- § 5 SGB V, compulsory cover (statute)
- § 6 SGB V, compulsory insurance threshold (statute)
- § 175 SGB V, choice of fund and binding period (statute)
- GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on contribution figures (1.1.2026)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
