Social security in Germany
In Germany, there are five statutory insurance schemes that cover you during important periods of your life – these are known as social insurance schemes. As a rule, if you are employed, you must be covered by these insurance schemes. These are compulsory insurance schemes. If you work in Germany, you must be insured, regardless of your nationality.
These insurance schemes are health insurance, nursing care insurance, pension insurance, unemployment insurance and accident insurance. The social security schemes offer you support in emergencies. You pay a certain percentage of your income towards each of these insurance schemes. Your employer pays the financial contributions to the statutory accident insurance, which mainly covers occupational accidents.
Can I choose the statutory insurance companies?
Yes and no. You cannot choose who handles your unemployment and pension insurance. However, you can freely choose your statutory health insurance provider. By doing so, you also automatically choose the nursing care insurance scheme.
We are happy to do this for you. If you are ill, we will cover the costs of your medical treatment and medication. Even if you are in good health, we will help make sure it stays that way. Simply complete our membership application online. We’ll take care of everything else.
Pension insurance
If you are employed by a company, you are also a member of the pension insurance scheme. This ensures that you are covered in old age and will receive a pension. Pension insurance also supports you if you can no longer work or can only work very little due to illness or if your spouse has died. As a contribution to this, you pay a certain percentage to the pension insurance. This is currently 18,6%. You pay half of this, i.e. 9,3%. The other half is paid by your employer.
Nursing care insurance
Nursing care insurance supports you if you need care and assistance in old age. You will need to apply for this assistance through us if you need it at a later date, as we are both your health insurance scheme and your nursing care insurance provider.
The contribution rate for your nursing care insurance is 3,4% and is deducted from your gross monthly salary. Both you and your employer contribute to this amount. Each pays 1,7%. If you are over 23 years of age and have no children, you will have to pay an additional 0,6%. The contribution rate is reduced for members with more than one child.
Unemployment insurance
If you are employed, you will automatically receive unemployment insurance. If you should become unemployed at some point, you will receive financial support from the employment agency under certain conditions. They will also help you find a new job. The contribution for this is 2,6% of your salary. You and your employer both contribute to this amount.
Health insurance
Health insurance is also compulsory. If you are ill, your health insurer will cover the costs of your medical treatment and medication. It also covers the costs of health care, rehabilitation and costs during pregnancy and childbirth. If you are unable to work for a long period of time due to illness, you will receive sickness benefit. The contribution rate for health insurance in Germany consists of the general contribution rate of 14,6% and the additional contribution rate. This varies from one insurance company to another.
