In Germany, health insurance is mandatory for all citizens and residents. As a freelancer or self-employed individual, you have the choice between two types of health insurance: public and private.
Public health insurance is the default option for most of the population. It is funded through monthly contributions, which amount to approximately 14% of your income. Typically, these contributions are shared between the employer and employee, with each party paying about half. However, as a freelancer, you are responsible for paying the full 14% yourself. This can result in a maximum monthly cost of around €400, which some freelancers may find prohibitively expensive.
Alternatively, you can choose private health insurance, a path available only to freelancers and high-income earners who can opt out of the public system. Private insurance often proves to be more cost-effective for freelancers, particularly for those who are young and in good health, as it can be cheaper than paying the full public insurance contributions.