- Private health insurance (PKV) for your internship: the essentials
Do you need private health insurance (PKV) for an internship? The short answer is that it depends on whether the internship is compulsory or voluntary, and whether you are paid for it. For most compulsory internships, you are usually covered by your parents’ statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) as a dependant, or you have to insure yourself under the statutory scheme. Voluntary internships can be more complicated, especially if you receive no salary or your income is above a certain limit. Below, I explain in detail when private health insurance could be relevant for you as an intern and what you should look out for so that you do not face any unpleasant surprises.
Private health insurance for compulsory internships: understanding the rules
A compulsory internship is firmly anchored in your study or examination regulations. This makes a big difference, because different rules often apply than for a voluntary internship. In general, the law provides that you are insured under the GKV during this period, even if you receive no pay.
If the internship is unpaid
If you receive no pay for your compulsory internship, you usually remain family-insured, provided you meet the age limits (up to 25, and under certain circumstances longer) and income limits (usually 565 euros per month, or 603 euros for a mini-job). If you exceed these limits, or family insurance no longer applies for other reasons (for example, because of your age), you must insure yourself under the student health insurance scheme within the GKV. Private health insurance is in most cases not an option here, because compulsory GKV insurance takes precedence. You cannot simply choose to go private.
If the internship is paid
If you receive a salary for your compulsory internship, you become subject to social insurance contributions as soon as your income exceeds the marginal employment threshold (currently 603 euros per month). This means you are automatically compulsorily insured under the GKV. Here too, private health insurance is generally not possible. The GKV contributions are then deducted directly from your salary. It is important that you document the internship as compulsory, because otherwise you may be classed as a regular employee and may have to pay higher contributions. Your employer or the internship provider must report this accordingly.
The role of your university
Your university plays an important role. The confirmation that the internship is compulsory is decisive for your freedom from social insurance contributions (if unpaid) or for the correct classification of your insurance obligation (if paid). Make sure you have such a certificate and can present it when required. Without it, misunderstandings and, in the worst case, incorrect contribution payments could arise.
If you want to learn more about the Transparency Ordinance and its significance for compulsory and voluntary internships, I recommend reading this article: Transparency Ordinance (in German). There you will find important information that can help you better understand your rights and obligations during your internship.
Voluntary internships: when private health insurance comes into play
A voluntary internship is one you complete on your own initiative; it is not required by your studies. Here the insurance question is often more complicated, because the rules are not as clear as they are for a compulsory internship. There are situations in which private health insurance may become relevant for you.
Voluntary internship and the marginal employment threshold
If you receive pay for your voluntary internship that does not exceed the marginal employment threshold (currently 603 euros), you generally remain insured with your existing health insurer. This means that if you are still family-insured and meet the requirements for it (age and income limit), you stay there. If you are insured yourself as a student under the GKV, you also stay there. Private health insurance is only relevant in this case if you were already privately insured before the internship, for example as an international student without access to the GKV, or because you chose a PKV as a student in the first place (which is rare in Germany, as the GKV is very affordable for students).
Exceeding the marginal employment threshold
If your voluntary internship is paid and your salary exceeds 603 euros per month, you generally become subject to social insurance. This means you are compulsorily insured under the GKV. There is no option to choose private insurance here, unless you belong to the small group of people who can be exempted from GKV insurance. That is very rare for students and only possible under certain conditions, for example if you were privately insured for a long time before your studies. The GKV contributions are then deducted from your salary.
Unpaid voluntary internship and your options
This is the area where private health insurance is most likely to be relevant for interns. If you complete a voluntary internship and receive no pay for it, you are not automatically insured through your employer.
- Family insurance: First check whether you are still insured through your parents’ family insurance. The requirements are that you are under 25 (under certain circumstances also longer) and that your income (which you do not have during this time) and any other income, such as rental or investment income, do not exceed the monthly income limit (currently 565 euros, or 603 euros for a mini-job). If these points apply, you remain insured with the GKV through your parents. This is the most convenient and cheapest option.
- Student health insurance: If you drop out of family insurance (for example, because you are too old or your total income exceeds the limits) and are enrolled at a German university, you can insure yourself under the student health insurance scheme within the GKV. This is very affordable compared with the regular GKV contributions for employees. As long as you have student status, this is usually the best option.
- Private health insurance: Private health insurance comes into play if you have none of these GKV options. This could be the case if you, for example:
- are no longer a student: You have finished your studies but do not yet have a job, or you are doing an internship between your bachelor’s and master’s degree and are not enrolled as a student during this transition period.
- are not a student and are completing an unpaid voluntary internship: For example, if you are reorienting your career or doing an internship to prepare for work without being enrolled.
- are an international intern from a third country: If you do not come from the EU, the EEA or Switzerland and have no access to the GKV, or cannot insure yourself through the student GKV. In this case, a special travel health insurance or private health insurance is often necessary.
It is important to understand that in these cases private health insurance would have to be your primary health insurance. It replaces the GKV if there is no GKV obligation or entitlement.
Internships abroad: special pitfalls and solutions
If you plan an internship abroad, whether compulsory or voluntary, the insurance questions become even more complex. German health insurers often cover only part of the costs abroad, or nothing at all.
Within the EU, the EEA and Switzerland
If your internship takes place in a country of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, you are generally insured through your German GKV (or PKV, if you are privately insured). Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is your proof here. It gives you access to medically necessary care in the host country under the local rules.
However, it is important to note that the EHIC often does not cover all the costs that would be reimbursed in Germany. For example, there is no entitlement to private treatment or to consultations with senior consultants. Repatriation to Germany in case of illness is also not covered. For this reason, additional travel health insurance is strongly recommended. It closes these gaps and ensures that you do not end up with high costs in an emergency. Make sure the policy also covers the internship as an activity, and not just tourist trips.
Outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland
For internships outside these regions, the situation is different. Your German GKV or PKV generally pays nothing, or only very limited amounts. Here, comprehensive travel health insurance is absolutely essential. Without it, you risk having to bear extremely high costs yourself in a medical emergency.
When choosing travel health insurance, pay attention to the following:
- Validity for your internship: Make sure the policy explicitly covers internships and, where relevant, the type of work you will do. Some policies exclude certain professional activities.
- Coverage amount: Choose a sufficiently high coverage amount, especially in countries with high medical costs (for example, the USA).
- Scope of benefits: Check whether the policy also covers repatriation to Germany, search and rescue costs, dental treatment and medication.
- Term: The policy should cover the entire duration of your internship.
- Emergency hotline: A 24/7 emergency hotline is invaluable if you need medical help abroad and do not know whom to contact.
Some employers offer their own group insurance for internships abroad. Ask specifically whether this applies to you and what exactly is covered. Sometimes this is enough; sometimes you need to top it up privately.
Choosing the right private health insurance: what to look for
Should you find yourself in a situation where private health insurance is the right or only option for your internship, there are several important points to consider.
Comparing tariffs and benefits
The private health insurance market is diverse. There are countless tariffs with different benefits and prices. Do not be blinded by the cheapest offer. Look closely at what is included.
- Scope of benefits: What is actually covered in case of illness? Only standard benefits, or also comfort benefits such as a single or double room in hospital, treatment by a chief physician, or free choice of doctor? Young people in particular tend to save on these benefits, but in an emergency this can become expensive.
- Deductible: Many tariffs include a deductible. This means you bear part of the costs yourself, up to a certain amount, before the insurer pays. A higher deductible usually lowers the monthly premium. Consider whether you are willing to take on the risk of having to pay out of your own pocket in case of illness.
- Medication and aids: Are these covered in full, or only in part? Are there restrictions on certain medicines or therapies?
- Dental treatment: How high is the reimbursement for dental treatment and dentures? This can be a major cost factor.
- Premium stability: For a long-term private policy, stable premiums matter. For a short internship this is less critical, but it is still a factor to keep in mind.
- Notice periods: Pay attention to the notice periods in case you want to switch back to the GKV after the internship or find another solution.
Health check and pre-existing conditions
Before you are accepted by a private insurer, you must go through a health check. You provide information about your state of health, pre-existing conditions, medication and so on. Be honest and complete here, because incorrect information can later lead to the insurer refusing benefits or terminating the contract.
- Surcharges: In the case of pre-existing conditions, the insurer may charge a risk surcharge or exclude certain benefits.
- Rejection: In the worst case, an insurer may reject your application if your health risk is too high.
This is one of the main reasons why switching from the GKV to the PKV can be problematic for many people, even if the switch is meant to be temporary.
Tariffs for young people and students
Some insurers offer special tariffs for young people, students or stays abroad. These can be cheaper and tailored to the needs of this target group. A detailed comparison is worthwhile here.
As private health insurance is a very individual matter, I strongly recommend that you seek advice from an insurance broker, a consumer advice centre or a private health insurance expert if you are seriously considering taking out a policy. They can help you find the right tariff for your specific situation.
You will also find an article on sustainability in the internship market. It explains how companies offer sustainable internship placements and what advantages this brings for you as an intern. You can find it here: Sustainability in the internship market (in German). It is important that you think about the framework conditions of your internship and how they can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Practical tips and common mistakes to avoid
| Type of internship | PKV requirement | Contribution (approx.) | Benefits | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compulsory internship | No (usually statutorily insured) | Depends on the statutory health insurance | Standard GKV benefits | You are often insured through family insurance or the GKV |
| Voluntary internship | Yes, PKV possible | From about 150 to 400 euros per month, depending on the tariff | Individual benefits, often better care | You can take out private insurance if you are not family-insured |
To make sure your internship runs smoothly and you do not have to worry about your health insurance, here are a few practical tips.
Check your current insurance status
Before you think about new insurance, clarify your current status.
- Are you family-insured? Ask your parents’ health insurer about the exact conditions and whether you can stay covered there during your internship.
- Are you insured as a student? If so, check whether your current tariff is sufficient for the duration of the internship, especially if it is paid or takes place abroad.
- When does your insurance end? For example, when you turn 25, finish your studies or exceed the income limits.
Certificates and proof
Make sure you have all the necessary certificates to hand:
- Certificate of enrolment: Important to prove your student status.
- Internship contract: It should clearly show whether the internship is compulsory, whether it is paid and, if so, how much.
- Confirmation from your university: If it is a compulsory internship, have your university confirm this. This confirmation is decisive for social insurance.
Submit these documents to your health insurer and/or your internship provider to avoid misunderstandings.
Observe deadlines
Arrange your health insurance in good time, ideally several weeks before the internship starts. Especially for internships abroad, or if a health check is required, applying for insurance can take some time. You do not want to find yourself without insurance cover on the first day of your internship.
Communication is key
Do not hesitate to contact your health insurer, your university or the HR staff of your internship employer if you are unsure. They can often give you concrete information about your individual situation. An insurance broker can also be a good point of contact. It is better to ask once too often than to end up without insurance cover or facing high back payments.
Do not be afraid of the GKV
Although this article focuses on private health insurance, statutory health insurance is the first and often the best choice for most students and interns. It is affordable and offers comprehensive protection. Private health insurance is really only the necessary or sensible option for interns in specific exceptional situations.
In the end, the right health insurance for your internship depends heavily on your individual circumstances. Take the time to inform yourself and find the best solution for you. Your peace of mind is worth it.
FAQs
1. Can I take out private health insurance for a compulsory internship?
Yes, you can take out private health insurance (PKV) for a compulsory internship if you are not statutorily insured. It is important to find out about the requirements and costs in advance.
2. Does private health insurance also apply to a voluntary internship abroad?
Yes, private health insurance can also be taken out for a voluntary internship abroad. It is advisable to check in advance whether the policy is valid in the destination country and which benefits are covered.
3. What benefits are included in private health insurance for an internship?
The benefits of private health insurance for an internship vary depending on the provider. However, benefits such as doctor visits, medication, hospital stays and other medical treatments are usually covered.
4. Do I have to prove that I have private health insurance for a compulsory internship?
Your internship provider may ask for proof of health insurance. In this case, you must present either your statutory health insurance card or the policy of your private health insurance.
5. Can I deduct private health insurance for my internship for tax purposes?
Under certain conditions, contributions to private health insurance for your internship may be tax-deductible. It is advisable to seek advice from a tax adviser or financial expert on this matter.
