Health Insurance Cancellation and Switching in Germany: Deadlines, Costs, Checklist

GKV: 12-month binding period, then 2-month notice (§ 175 SGB V). Private Incoming: monthly cancellation possible for Care Economy; Care Expatriate ends at contract end date.

€0 direct fee. New GKV starts on job start day; private is cancelled to the day before under § 205 VVG special right when GKV becomes mandatory.

Schengen cover: €30,000 minimum sum insured (EU Reg. 810/2009, Art. 15). Yes: both are booked per day/month and can end at any daily boundary — refund for unused days minus admin fee — Care Economy.

2 months to the end of the second month after notice (§ 175 Abs. 4 SGB V); minimum 12-month binding period since the last fund switch.

On Incoming (Care Expatriate) there are no age-provisions to lose; on substitutive PKV, only portable Altersrückstellungen transfer between insurers (§ 204 VAG).

No. Statutory insurance (GKV) has a 12-month binding period. After that, you can cancel with 2 months' notice. Private insurance (PKV) has individual cancellation periods. Incoming insurance like Care Economy (from 30 EUR/30 days) has flexible terms.

An insurance gap can lead to retroactive premium demands and may jeopardize your residence permit. For long-term coverage without gaps, consider Care Expatriate (from 58 EUR/month, up to 5 years).

The switch typically happens when your status changes – for example, when you start employment. Your employer registers you with a GKV provider like DAK Gesundheit. Your incoming insurance (e.g. Care Economy) can then be cancelled.