The legal traineeship (Rechtsreferendariat) in Schleswig-Holstein is the second stage of legal training after the first state examination. Whether you receive trainee pay or another allowance, how state health aid works and which health insurance fits depends on your training status and on state law.
Short answer: Whether you are a civil servant on probation (Beamter auf Widerruf) or in another training relationship is stated in your appointment letter (status: October 2026). The state government lists 50 percent state health aid (Beihilfe) as the standard rate for civil servants and says trainees and trainee lawyers keep their entitlement. Your family situation and status decide the insurance.
The most important points at a glance
- Status first: pay, state aid and insurance depend on whether you are a civil servant on probation or in another training relationship.
- State health aid: according to the state government, trainees keep their entitlement and are exempt from the deductible.
- Insurance: as a civil servant you are exempt from statutory insurance (section 6 SGB V). In other situations, compulsory insurance, family cover or voluntary membership may apply.
- Calculation example: voluntary statutory insurance on the minimum base costs about 270.26 euros per month for health and long-term care (status 1 January 2026, without employer contribution).
- Side jobs: they usually need approval before you start.
What pay do you receive as a trainee lawyer in Schleswig-Holstein?
States regulate the legal traineeship differently. Some pay trainee salaries as civil servants on probation, others pay a training allowance under a training relationship. What counts is what your appointment letter says and which state rule applies to trainee lawyers.
We do not list a euro table for trainee lawyers, because we could not confirm a figure for this group with a 2026 date and a primary source. The basic amounts for teacher trainees show how the state tables are built, but they are not automatically your amount. See our guide to teacher training in Schleswig-Holstein for the comparison.
How does state health aid work in the traineeship?
The state government lists civil servants, trainees and trainee lawyers together. The entitlement to state aid remains in place, and the group is exempt from the deductible. The standard rates are:
| Person | Standard rate | Higher rate |
|---|---|---|
| Civil servant | 50 percent | 70 percent with at least two eligible children |
| Spouse or registered partner | 70 percent | 90 percent for general costs with at least two children |
| Children | 80 percent | 90 percent for general costs with at least three children |
Source: State government of Schleswig-Holstein, entitlement to Beihilfe (last updated 1 December 2025). The page gives no separate rate for trainee lawyers. Ask the state aid office whether the civil servant rate applies to your training form.
Health insurance during the traineeship: which routes exist?
Your cover depends on your status, your insurance history and your family. The table shows the usual situations. Your health insurer confirms in writing which one applies to you.
| Situation | State health aid | Typical cover |
|---|---|---|
| Civil servant on probation | Entitlement remains, standard rate 50 percent according to the state government | Private insurance with a Beihilfe top-up, or voluntary statutory insurance with a possible contribution |
| Training relationship with a training allowance | Only if the employer grants it. The rate must be clarified case by case | Compulsory statutory insurance, family cover or voluntary membership, depending on your situation |
Our guide Civil Servant Health Aid During Training: Rates and Claims explains the mechanics in more detail. For a general overview of the legal traineeship, see law student insurance from studies to traineeship.
What does voluntary statutory insurance cost on the minimum base?
Voluntary members pay on a minimum contribution base. The following calculation assumes no employer contribution and no sick pay entitlement.
| Component | Rate | Amount per month (assumption: minimum base 1,318.33 euros) |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance | 14.0 percent plus 2.9 percent additional contribution | 222.80 euros |
| Long-term care insurance without the childless surcharge | 3.6 percent | 47.46 euros |
| Total | without the childless surcharge | 270.26 euros |
For people without children from the month after their 23rd birthday, the long-term care surcharge of 0.6 percentage points applies. That adds 7.91 euros, so the total is 278.17 euros. Source: GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on calculation variables (status 1 January 2026). Your own additional contribution can differ, because each insurer sets its own rate.
Can you take a side job during the traineeship?
In most cases you need approval for a side job. The rules depend on whether you are a civil servant or in a training relationship. We do not state an hour limit, because we could not confirm the current rule for Schleswig-Holstein with a 2026 date. Ask your training employer first. For the tax basics, see our guide on part-time jobs and taxes for students.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get the same state aid as a teacher trainee?
State aid follows your status, not your subject. The state government names the groups together, but the rates depend on your status and family. Check your appointment letter and ask the state aid office.
Do I have to be in statutory insurance?
That depends on your status. As a civil servant you are exempt from statutory insurance (section 6 SGB V). In another training relationship, compulsory insurance may apply. Confirm this in writing with your health insurer before you cancel anything.
Which private tariffs exist for trainees?
Many insurers offer tariffs for trainees, and they differ a lot. Look at the health check, the benefits and the rules for premium increases. A pre-existing condition can make admission harder. For a general comparison of private and statutory cover, see teacher training insurance from studies to traineeship.
What happens if I fail the second state examination?
The training relationship usually ends, and with it the allowance and the entitlement to state aid. The exact deadlines are set by state law. Plan your cover early and record every transition in writing.
What to do next
- Read your appointment letter: check your status, allowance and responsible office.
- Clarify state aid in writing: ask the state aid office for your entitlement, rate and co-payment.
- Calculate insurance: compare voluntary statutory insurance on the minimum base with private insurance and a trainee tariff, and prepare your health information.
- Get side jobs approved: start only after you have approval.
Related guides
- Law student insurance: from studies to traineeship
- Civil Servant Health Aid During Training: Rates and Claims
- Part-Time Jobs and Taxes for Students in Germany
- Health insurance during the traineeship: GKV, PKV and Beihilfe (in German)
- Health insurance in the legal traineeship: guide for lawyers (in German)
Sources: State government of Schleswig-Holstein, entitlement to Beihilfe (status 1 December 2025); dbb, pay table Schleswig-Holstein 2026 (status January 2026); GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on calculation variables (status 1 January 2026); section 6 SGB V, exemption for civil servants.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
