How am I health insured in Germany if I become unemployed or resign?

In short

How am I health insured in Germany if I become unemployed or resign? With unemployment benefit (Arbeitslosengeld) you are compulsorily insured and the Federal Employment Agency pays the contributions. This also applies during a benefit ban (Sperrzeit) of up to 12 weeks after you resign. Without a benefit claim your fund continues you as a voluntary member, without income for about EUR 260 to 280 a month.

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What it costs

What health insurance costs after a job ends in Germany, figures for 2026.

Example	Typical range
Unemployment benefit, also during a benefit ban	EUR 0, the agency pays the contributions
Voluntary membership without income, minimum base EUR 1,318.33	about EUR 260 to 280 a month including long term care
Family insurance through spouse or civil partner	EUR 0 with income up to EUR 565 a month
Private insurance with benefit and exemption	agency pays up to the statutory contribution with the 2.9 percent average additional rate

Figures for 2026 from the social insurance reference values.

The minimum contribution depends on your fund's additional rate and the long term care surcharge

for the childless.

The worked example is a guide value from quoting practice.

Norman Nammert advises as an insurance broker on supplementary cover;

you choose your statutory fund yourself.

Worked example

Employee, 34, resigns herself effective 31 March

How she is insured if she registers in time and gets a 12 week benefit ban.

Registered as job seeker	end of December, three months ahead
1 April to 23 June: benefit ban	no benefit, health insurance via the agency, EUR 0
From 24 June: unemployment benefit	still compulsorily insured, EUR 0
For comparison: no unemployment registration	voluntary insurance, about EUR 260 to 280 a month

If she registers, she pays nothing for health insurance. Without registering, around EUR 730 to 780 would add up in the 12 weeks alone.

Unemployed with benefit: the agency pays

If you receive unemployment benefit, you are compulsorily insured in statutory health insurance under section 5(1) no. 2 SGB V. Under section 251(4a) SGB V the Federal Employment Agency (Bundesagentur für Arbeit) pays the contributions. You stay with your current fund and keep your card.

If you fall ill while receiving benefit, the agency keeps paying it for up to six weeks (section 146 SGB III). Report your sick note as before, only now to the agency instead of your employer.

You resigned: benefit ban and health insurance

If you resign without good reason, the agency usually imposes a 12 week benefit ban (section 159(3) SGB III). The money is suspended, but your health insurance is not: the law treats you as if you were receiving benefit.

The condition is that you register as unemployed and have a claim to benefit, meaning at least 12 months of insured employment in the last 30 months. If you resign and do not register, you lose this cover.

The same applies if benefit is suspended because unused holiday was paid out: you stay insured through the agency.

Situation after the job	Health insurance	Your contribution
Unemployment benefit	compulsory insurance via the agency	EUR 0
Benefit ban after resigning	compulsory insurance continues	EUR 0
New job within a month	after-cover, then new compulsory insurance	EUR 0
No claim to unemployment benefit	voluntary membership	about EUR 260 to 280 a month without income
Spouse in statutory insurance, your income up to EUR 565	family insurance	EUR 0
Basic income support (Grundsicherungsgeld, Bürgergeld until 30 June 2026)	compulsory insurance via the job centre	EUR 0

Without unemployment benefit: voluntary insurance

If you have no claim to benefit, for example after a short job or during a self chosen break, compulsory insurance ends with your last working day. Under section 188(4) SGB V the fund then automatically continues you as a voluntary member. You are not left uninsured, but you get your own bill.

Without income the fund assumes the minimum assessment base of EUR 1,318.33 a month. With long term care and the average additional contribution this comes to about EUR 260 to 280 a month. Savings interest, rental income or a spouse's income can push it higher.

The month after and family insurance

After compulsory insurance ends, section 19(2) SGB V still gives you benefits for at most one month as long as you are not working. If you start a new job within that month, no voluntary insurance and no contribution arise.

If your spouse or registered partner has statutory insurance and your income is at most EUR 565 a month, contribution free family insurance takes priority. Tell your partner's fund early so that voluntary insurance does not start at all.

If you have private health insurance

With unemployment benefit, privately insured people under 55 generally become subject to statutory insurance again. If you were not in statutory insurance for the last five years, you can apply for exemption within three months (section 8(1) no. 1a SGB V) and stay private.

The agency then pays your private premiums under section 174 SGB III, but at most what it would pay for statutory insurance. An expensive tariff can leave a gap that you pay yourself. Without benefit, privately insured people keep paying the full premium on their own.

When you don't need to do anything

If you move straight into a new job, nothing changes except the employer. If you receive benefit right away, you do not need to apply anything at the fund; the agency registers you.

Act if there is a gap between the job and benefit, or if you deliberately take a break without benefit. Then talk to your fund beforehand about family insurance or the contribution level.

Step by step

Register as a job seeker at least three months before the job ends, or within three days if notice is short.
Register as unemployed on your first day without a job and claim benefit, even if a benefit ban is likely.
Without a benefit claim, check whether family insurance through your partner is possible.
Otherwise fill in your fund's income questionnaire for voluntary insurance.
If privately insured, decide before the job ends whether to apply for exemption or return to statutory insurance.
Keep supplementary policies such as dental or hospital cover running, they do not depend on the job.

Checklist

Registered as job seeker on time
Registered as unemployed on the first day without a job
Gap between job end and benefit start clarified
Family insurance through partner checked
Income questionnaire for voluntary insurance returned
If privately insured: exemption and premium subsidy clarified

Common mistakes

Not registering as unemployed after resigning and paying the full contribution yourself
Registering late as a job seeker and risking an extra benefit ban under section 159 SGB III
Not returning the fund's income questionnaire and being charged the maximum contribution
Assuming you are automatically insured for free after the job

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Am I health insured during a benefit ban?

Yes.

If unemployment benefit is suspended because of a benefit ban,

you remain compulsorily insured under section 5(1) no.

2 SGB V and the agency pays.

What does health insurance cost without unemployment benefit?

As a voluntary member without income about EUR 260 to 280 a month including long term care,

depending on the additional rate and children.

Can I be family insured through my partner after resigning?

Yes, if your partner has statutory insurance,

you are married or in a civil partnership and your income is at most EUR 565 a month.

How long am I insured after my last working day?

Without follow-on insurance for at most one month, as long as you do not work.

After that voluntary or another compulsory insurance applies.

Do I get sick pay while unemployed?

First the agency continues unemployment benefit during illness for up to six weeks.

Your health fund explains what happens after that.

What happens to my supplementary dental insurance?

It continues regardless of the job.

Do not cancel it hastily, a new contract means new waiting periods and health questions.

Sources

NAMMERT insurance broker

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