Tips for Health Insurance and Pension as a Freelancer

Here are some summarized Reddit comments providing advice on handling health insurance and pension as a freelancer:

Health Insurance

• Consider Public Health Insurance: Some freelancers recommend opting for public health insurance, even though it can be more expensive. User shared, "You can absolutely join public health insurance...Also, health insurance is tax deductible."
• Künstlersozialkasse (KSK): Consider applying to KSK, which pays half of your public health insurance and contributes to public pension. This can be a good option for freelancers.
• Language Courses: Look for affordable language courses at a Volkshochschule to learn German. Taking these courses can be considered a business expense and can be deducted from taxes.
• Private Health Insurance: Some users find private health insurance to be expensive. One highlighted, "I also have to pay 100% of my private health insurance, which sucks."
• Cost of Health Insurance: Discussing the high cost of health insurance, a user mentioned, ">650 euros monthly for a basic private plan," and questioned why the cost was so high.

Pension

• EU/DE Residency Requirement: One user stated, "Why should you be considered/offered EU/DE residency if you haven’t paid into a system to ensure you can take care of yourself when you retire? This seems like a fairly reasonable requirement."
• Professional Support: Hiring an accountant who specializes in freelancer taxes can be beneficial. It helps with sorting out taxes and ensures compliance.
• Pension Contributions: Some users recommended considering the KSK for pension contributions. It was advised that with a solid application, one could get into KSK for pension benefits.
• Backup Plan: It was suggested to have a backup plan for another job as freelance fields like graphic design and social media may become less in demand over time.

General Advice

• System Overload: In big cities like Berlin, it was noted that controls on home offices are not common. Users suggested being informed about such regulations.
• Learning German: Users emphasized the importance of learning German, especially when residing in Germany. Surrounding oneself with the language and utilizing resources like VHS courses were recommended.
• Financial Impact: One user shared their experience working remotely in Japan and explained the tax implications and considerations associated with freelancing in a foreign country.

By following these tips and understanding the nuances of health insurance and pension options in Germany, freelancers can better manage their financial and healthcare needs effectively.