Anyone who switches statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) is bound to the new insurer. Under section 175 of the Social Code Book V (SGB V), a minimum commitment of twelve months applies before an ordinary termination is possible. The rule applies to compulsory and voluntary members alike, which makes it relevant for students who want to change their insurer.
Short answer: Under section 175 subsection 4 SGB V, you are bound to the chosen health insurer for at least twelve months. After that, termination is possible with effect from the end of the second calendar month after the notice. If the additional contribution is raised, a special right of termination applies and the commitment does not apply. Last updated: November 2026.
Key points in brief
- The commitment lasts at least twelve months from joining the new insurer.
- After that, you can terminate with effect from the end of the second calendar month counted from the month of notice.
- Confirmation from the new insurer replaces the termination with your old insurer.
- If the additional contribution is introduced or raised, a special right of termination applies and the commitment ends.
- The commitment does not apply if your membership ends by operation of law.
What the minimum commitment means
The minimum commitment concerns voluntary switching, meaning the decision to move to another insurer. The period is linked to membership with the chosen insurer, not to the moment you decided to switch.
Within the twelve months, you generally cannot leave the insurer through an ordinary termination. The law does contain exceptions, so it is worth reading the text before you decide. The law allows the chosen insurer’s statute to waive the period when you switch within the same type of insurer. Whether this applies to your new insurer depends on its statute, so check it before you terminate.
How to calculate the end of the commitment
The law sets twelve months as the minimum period. In addition, a termination only takes effect at the end of the second calendar month after the notice. This shifts the effective date by one further month. A worked example makes the sequence clear.
Assumption: you become a member of the new insurer on 1 March 2027. The commitment ends after twelve months, at the end of February 2028. If you give notice in March 2028, it takes effect at the end of May 2028.
| Step (assumption) | Timing |
|---|---|
| Joining the new health insurer | 1 March 2027 |
| End of the twelve-month commitment | End of February 2028 |
| Notice given in March 2028 | Takes effect at the end of May 2028 |
The exact dates depend on when your membership actually began. Check the date in the confirmation from your new insurer before you calculate.
When the commitment does not apply
The commitment does not apply if your membership ends by operation of law. A special right of termination also exists when an additional contribution is charged or raised for the first time. In that case, you can terminate with effect from the end of the month from which the additional contribution applies. The commitment period does not apply then.
The special right of termination concerns whether you may leave, not the amount of the contribution. For an explanation of the additional contribution, see the glossary entry Health insurance for students: glossary from A to Z.
How the switch is processed
When you switch, you do not have to cancel with your old insurer yourself if the new insurer reports your membership. The notification from the new insurer replaces the termination. If no new membership is established, the old insurer issues a confirmation of termination within two weeks. The termination only takes effect if you prove alternative health coverage within the deadline.
The termination also never takes effect immediately. It ends at the end of the second calendar month after the notice, even if you send it early in the month. Keep the confirmation from your new insurer and all letters about the termination.
Preparing the switch properly
Changing insurers is a decision for at least a year, so careful preparation pays off. The minimum commitment makes it hard to correct a poor choice quickly. Before you send the termination, check the following points.
- Compare the additional contributions and the services of the insurers that are open to you, and look for differences in coverage.
- Clarify when membership with the new insurer begins, because the end of the commitment depends on it.
- Check whether a special right of termination applies before you wait out the period.
- Create an overview of all dates so that you file the termination in time.
Timing matters too. Filing the termination too late moves the end of your membership by another month. Filing it too early means you remain bound and cannot make the termination effective. Plan with a buffer of a few weeks.
Common pitfalls
In practice, a switch rarely fails because of the big decision. It fails because of small details. Three points deserve particular attention.
- The confirmation from the new insurer is missing, so proof of health coverage is not documented.
- The period was calculated from the wrong month because the notification and the start of membership do not match.
- An additional contribution was raised, but the special right of termination was not used because the deadline had passed.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the confirmation of termination take?
If the old insurer does not establish a new membership, it confirms the termination within two weeks. The termination takes effect if you prove alternative health coverage within the deadline. If the confirmation does not arrive, ask in writing and keep a record of your request.
Can I switch back straight away after a change?
Not through an ordinary termination. The twelve months also apply if you change your mind. Exceptions exist under section 175 SGB V, for example when an additional contribution is raised.
Does the minimum commitment apply to students?
Yes, the rule applies to compulsory and voluntary members. It matters for students who want to change insurer during their studies. Whether it applies to your particular type of cover depends on the individual case, so ask your insurer.
Is the minimum commitment a penalty?
No, it is a statutory period. It concerns membership and not the level of your contributions. For you, it means above all that you should prepare the switch carefully before you take the step.
What to do now
- Check whether you are a member of a health insurer and since when.
- Count twelve months from the start of membership and note the end of the commitment.
- Check whether a special right of termination applies, for example after a contribution increase.
- Keep the notification from the new insurer and the confirmation of termination safely.
Related reading
- Health insurance 2027: what changes for insured people and students
- Switching health insurance as a student: deadlines, procedure and special right of termination (in German)
- Health insurer insolvent: what happens to cover and benefits
- Health insurance for students: glossary from A to Z
Sources: Section 175 SGB V, exercise of the right of choice, gesetze-im-internet.de, accessed November 2026.
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
