Short answer
Health insurance during clerkship depends on your status. As a civil servant on probation (Beamter auf Widerruf), for example in teacher training, you insure yourself, either privately with Beihilfe or voluntarily through statutory health insurance. Legal trainees in a training relationship (Ausbildungsverhältnis) are, by contrast, compulsorily insured. In the example, voluntary statutory insurance costs at least 278.17 euros per month in 2026.
| Key fact | Value | Status and source |
|---|---|---|
| Civil servant on probation | Not compulsorily insured, Beihilfe yes | § 5 SGB V, state law |
| Legal trainee in a training relationship | Compulsorily insured, no Beihilfe | § 5 (1) No. 1 SGB V |
| Federal Beihilfe | 50% for you, 70% for partner, 80% for children | § 46 BBhV |
| Voluntary statutory insurance in the example | 278.17 euros per month at minimum assessment (1,318.33 euros) | GKV-Spitzenverband, 1 January 2026 |
| Lump-sum Beihilfe | 50% of the health insurance contribution, only in some states | § 3 No. 62 EStG |
Health insurance during clerkship: Which status applies?
Your status determines whether you are compulsorily insured or have to insure yourself. Trainee civil servants are generally civil servants on probation, and this usually also applies to trainee teachers. Legal trainees are, depending on the state, either civil servants on probation or in a public-law training relationship. State law regulates their legal status (§ 5b DRiG). Your appointment letter shows your status.
| Status | Health insurance | Beihilfe |
|---|---|---|
| Trainee teacher as civil servant on probation | Not compulsorily insured, you choose | Yes |
| Legal trainee as civil servant on probation | Not compulsorily insured, you choose | Yes |
| Legal trainee in a training relationship | Compulsorily insured through statutory insurance, contributions from salary | No |
For subject-specific detail, see the guide Health insurance in the legal clerkship (in German) for lawyers, and the guide Teacher training: Insurance from university to clerkship (in German) for teachers.
Voluntary statutory or private with Beihilfe?
Both options are open to civil servants on probation, but statutory insurance only if the required prior insurance period is met. As a civil servant, the principle of self-provision applies. You insure yourself, and Beihilfe supplements your cover.
| Criterion | Voluntary statutory insurance | Private insurance with Beihilfe |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution | Percentage of income, in the example from 278.17 euros per month | Depends on insurer, age and tariff. Beihilfe covers the assessed share of costs |
| Subsidy | Only lump-sum Beihilfe, where it exists | Individual Beihilfe, federal rates of 50, 70 and 80 percent |
| Health questions | None | Yes, for pre-existing conditions an anonymous risk pre-assessment beforehand |
| Later appointment as civil servant | Switch to private insurance possible, observe the open enrolment deadline | Open enrolment for civil servants, also on probation |
What statutory cover costs in this variant, and where states pay a subsidy, is explained in the guide Clerkship in statutory insurance: Contribution and subsidy (in German). How Beihilfe works, how high it is and what residual cost insurance covers is explained in Beihilfe during clerkship: Rate, application, residual costs (in German).
How does Beihilfe work during clerkship?
Beihilfe is your employer’s contribution towards medical costs. At federal level it amounts to 50 percent for you, 70 percent for spouses and registered partners, and 80 percent for children (§ 46 BBhV). The rest is covered by a private residual cost insurance (Restkostenversicherung) or by you. The states have their own law, and your Beihilfe office names the binding rate.
An example with assumed figures. If a treatment costs 200 euros and your assessed rate is 50 percent, Beihilfe reimburses 100 euros. The remaining 100 euros are covered by your residual cost insurance or by you. For civil servants in general, Hesse applies 50 percent for single persons, 55 percent for married persons, and 5 percentage points more per child, up to a maximum of 70 percent (§ 15 HBeihVO, Hessian Landtag printed paper 21/433). It does not follow from this whether a separate rate applies to trainees, so ask your Beihilfe office.
How does private insurance with a Beihilfe tariff work for trainees?
As a civil servant on probation you take out a Beihilfe tariff with a private insurer. It covers only the part of the costs that Beihilfe does not pay. The contribution depends on insurer, age, state of health and tariff. For trainees there are trainee tariffs (Anwärtertarife) that convert into the standard tariff after the preparatory service, without a new health check.
- Risk pre-assessment: If you have pre-existing conditions, submit an anonymous risk pre-assessment before you apply.
- Open enrolment: Civil servants, including those on probation, can be admitted through the open enrolment campaign (Öffnungsaktion) of private insurers, with limited risk surcharges and without exclusions. Ask the insurer about the deadline.
- Beihilfe rate: Check that the residual cost tariff matches the assessed rate of your Beihilfe office.
- Expectancy policy: Whether it is worthwhile depends on your health, budget and career path. More in the guide Expectancy policy in private health insurance (in German).
We do not name specific monthly contributions for Beihilfe tariffs here. They vary widely by insurer and age, and we have not evaluated a verified source for them. Compare at least two tariffs by benefits, contribution development and transition into the standard tariff.
How do you stay in statutory insurance voluntarily during clerkship?
As a civil servant on probation you can stay voluntarily in statutory health insurance if you meet the prior insurance period. You pay the contribution alone. In the example that is at least 278.17 euros a month for 2026, based on the minimum assessment of 1,318.33 euros (GKV-Spitzenverband, status 1 January 2026). A subsidy is available only through lump-sum Beihilfe, where it is offered.
Lump-sum Beihilfe is a subsidy of 50 percent of the health insurance contribution (§ 3 No. 62 EStG). Which states offer it, the sources list differently. For Hamburg, the GEW names a 50 percent subsidy since 2018 for new civil servants (status 3 March 2026). According to information from the University of Münster, the decision on lump-sum Beihilfe is irrevocable. Ask your Beihilfe office whether it is possible for trainees before you decide. The details are in the guide Clerkship in statutory insurance: Contribution and subsidy (in German).
What does health insurance cost during clerkship in the example?
In the example, voluntary statutory insurance costs at least 278.17 euros per month in 2026. The contribution is a percentage of your income, assessed on at least 1,318.33 euros per month.
- Health insurance: 1,318.33 euros × 14.0 percent (reduced rate, no entitlement to sick pay) = 184.57 euros.
- Additional contribution: 1,318.33 euros × 2.9 percent (average) = 38.23 euros.
- Long-term care insurance: 1,318.33 euros × 4.2 percent (childless, from age 23) = 55.37 euros.
- Total: 278.17 euros per month.
With your actual trainee pay, the assessment is higher, and your insurer sets the contribution. An example with trainee pay is in the guide on statutory insurance. Further scenarios are covered by the calculator “Beitrag nach dem Studium” (in German).
What do you pay depending on the route, and what pay is there?
| Route | What you pay | Status and source |
|---|---|---|
| Voluntary statutory insurance, minimum assessment | 278.17 euros a month for childless people from age 23, 270.26 euros under 23 or with a child | 2026, GKV-Spitzenverband |
| Compulsory insurance in a training relationship | Contributions are deducted from your salary | § 5 (1) No. 1 SGB V |
| Private insurance with Beihilfe tariff | Depends on insurer, age and tariff, no verified amount | Obtain the insurer’s offer |
Pay during the preparatory service helps to put the contributions into context. The examples show verified values for individual states, gross per month and excluding family allowance:
| State and pay | Amount | Valid from and source |
|---|---|---|
| Bavaria, basic trainee pay A 13 | 1,735.21 euros | 1 February 2025, Annex 10 BayBesG, adjustment 2026 as draft |
| Lower Saxony, basic trainee pay for grammar schools and vocational schools | 1,761.92 euros | 1 April 2026, Kultusministerium Niedersachsen |
| Lower Saxony, basic trainee pay for primary, secondary modern and secondary schools and special needs education | 1,722.66 euros | 1 April 2026, Kultusministerium Niedersachsen |
| North Rhine-Westphalia, maintenance allowance for legal trainees | 1,585.17 euros | 1 April 2026, state ordinance |
For the other states we have no verified figures yet. An overview that we keep updating is in the article Clerkship pay by state (in German).
How are you insured before starting your service?
Between your final exam and the start of your service, your membership usually continues as a follow-on insurance (Anschlussversicherung), unless family insurance or other cover applies. What that costs, which deadlines apply and until when family insurance is still possible is explained in Between state exam and clerkship: Who is insured? (in German).
Which deadlines apply to health insurance during clerkship?
The most important deadlines are two weeks to leave the follow-on insurance after your insurer’s notice, three months before the end of your studies for the job-seeker notification, and at most one month of continuing entitlement to benefits after membership ends. Your cover must begin on your first day of service. Ask the insurer about the deadline for the open enrolment campaign.
| Point in time | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| End of the semester of your last enrolment | Compulsory student insurance ends | § 190 (9) SGB V |
| Notice from your insurer | Two weeks to leave the follow-on insurance, only with proof of other cover | § 188 (4) SGB V |
| After the end of membership | At most one month of continuing entitlement to benefits | § 19 (2) SGB V |
| Three months before the end of studies | Job-seeker notification if you want to apply for unemployment benefit I | Federal Employment Agency |
| First day of service | Your new cover must begin, inform your insurer or insurer | Appointment letter |
| Appointment as civil servant | Ask the insurer about the deadline for the open enrolment | Terms of the insurer |
What applies to health insurance in legal clerkship?
State law decides your status in the legal clerkship (§ 5b DRiG). As a civil servant on probation you provide for health and long-term care cover yourself and are entitled to Beihilfe. In a public-law training relationship you are compulsorily insured in statutory insurance, without Beihilfe. In Saxony you can choose between the two forms if you meet the requirements, for example being under 42 years old.
The maintenance allowance depends on the state. In North Rhine-Westphalia the basic amount is 1,585.17 euros gross a month (status 1 April 2026). Your appointment letter shows your status. More is in the guide Health insurance in the legal clerkship (in German) and in Law: Insurance from studies to clerkship (in German).
What applies to health insurance in teacher training clerkship?
Teacher trainees are generally civil servants on probation. You do not pay compulsory contributions to statutory health, long-term care and unemployment insurance, but you provide health and long-term care cover yourself, privately with Beihilfe or voluntarily in statutory insurance. Trainee pay differs by state. Lower Saxony names 1,761.92 euros for grammar schools and 1,722.66 euros for primary schools from 1 April 2026.
The routes from studies to the preparatory service are described in Teacher training: Insurance from university to clerkship (in German).
What happens after the clerkship?
After the preparatory service, the next step decides. If you are appointed on probation, you usually remain privately insured with Beihilfe, and the trainee tariff converts into the standard tariff without a new health check. As an employee below the earnings threshold for compulsory insurance of 77,400 euros per year (2026), you are compulsorily insured. Without a job, unemployment benefit I, your existing insurance or voluntary membership come into consideration. Deadlines and routes are described in Health insurance after the clerkship at a glance (in German). Whether an expectancy policy in private health insurance (in German) fits your plans depends on your health, your budget and your career path.
What to do now
- Clarify your status: Your appointment letter and certificate of appointment show whether you are a civil servant on probation or in a training relationship.
- Ask your health insurer about the status of your membership and your prior insurance period.
- Ask your Beihilfe office about the assessment rate and whether lump-sum Beihilfe is available for trainees.
- Decide between voluntary statutory and private insurance. If you have pre-existing conditions, submit an anonymous risk pre-assessment first.
- Make sure your cover starts on your first day of service, and inform your health insurer of your start of service.
- Plan the transition after the preparatory service early.
Frequently asked questions
Which health insurance do I need during clerkship?
It depends on your status. As a civil servant on probation, for example in teacher training, you insure yourself, either privately with Beihilfe or voluntarily through statutory insurance. In a training relationship, which some states provide for legal trainees, you are compulsorily insured through statutory insurance.
Do I have to switch to private insurance during clerkship?
No. Civil servants on probation can also choose voluntary statutory insurance if they meet the prior insurance requirement. There is no obligation to take private cover, but there is an obligation to be insured at all.
What does statutory health insurance cost during clerkship?
At least 278.17 euros per month at minimum assessment, with a 2.9 percent additional contribution and 4.2 percent long-term care insurance (childless, from age 23, 2026). If your income is higher, the contribution rises, and your insurer sets it.
How high is Beihilfe during clerkship?
At federal level, 50 percent for you, 70 percent for spouses and registered partners, and 80 percent for children. The states have their own rules, and your Beihilfe office will tell you the binding rate.
What happens to my insurance after the clerkship?
After an appointment on probation, you usually stay privately insured with Beihilfe. As an employee below the earnings threshold of 77,400 euros (2026), you are compulsorily insured. The details are in the guide on the period after the clerkship.
Which health insurance applies to law trainees?
That depends on the state. In a training relationship you are compulsorily insured in statutory insurance. As a civil servant on probation you choose between private insurance with Beihilfe and voluntary statutory insurance. Which route suits you depends on health, budget and plans. There is no ranking of providers here.
Is there a subsidy towards statutory health insurance during clerkship?
Only through the lump-sum Beihilfe, which some states offer. It amounts to 50 percent of the health insurance contribution. Your Beihilfe office will tell you whether it is possible for trainees in your state.
Do I need residual cost insurance during clerkship?
If you are privately insured, usually yes. Beihilfe covers only its assessed share, and residual cost insurance covers the rest. Check that its tariff matches the rate of your Beihilfe office.
If you move into a first job after your studies rather than into the clerkship, the rules are in the article First job: Statutory or private health insurance? (in German).
Related articles
- Between state exam and clerkship: Who is insured? (in German)
- Clerkship in statutory insurance: Contribution and subsidy (in German)
- Beihilfe during clerkship: Rate, application, residual costs (in German)
- Health insurance after the clerkship at a glance (in German)
- Law: Insurance from studies to clerkship (in German)
- Private health insurance after studies (in German)
- Studying at 30: Opportunities, financing and everyday life (in German)
- Glossary: Health insurance during studies (in German)
- Beihilfe glossary entry (in German)
Sources and review
- § 5 (1) No. 1 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de, § 243 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de, § 188 (4) SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de
- § 46 BBhV, gesetze-im-internet.de, § 3 No. 62 EStG, gesetze-im-internet.de, § 5b DRiG, gesetze-im-internet.de
- GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on contribution calculation figures (Faktenblatt Rechengrößen Beitragsrecht), as of 1 January 2026, gkv-spitzenverband.de
- Federal Ministry of Health, contributions to statutory health insurance, as of 3 September 2026, bundesgesundheitsministerium.de
- Trainee pay and maintenance allowance, retrieved 20 October 2026: Annex 10 BayBesG, gesetze-bayern.de, Kultusministerium Niedersachsen, mk.niedersachsen.de, ordinance on the maintenance allowance for legal trainees in North Rhine-Westphalia, recht.nrw.de
- Beihilfe rates Hesse, Hessian Landtag, printed paper 21/433, lump-sum Beihilfe, GEW, status 3 March 2026, information sheet for Saxony, justiz.sachsen.de
Information, not individual advice.
Editorial team: Academycon · Last updated: October 2026
Last updated: 20 October 2026
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Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
