If you have public health insurance through your employer:
During Elternzeit without income: Your insurance continues, usually at no cost to you. You stay insured through family insurance or a special provision.
During Elterngeld: The Elterngeld itself isn't subject to health insurance contributions.
Your coverage continues without interruption.
Private insurance works differently:
Budget for continued premium payments. Some private insurers offer reduced rates during parental leave – check with yours.
With public insurance: Your child is automatically covered under family insurance (Familienversicherung) at no extra cost.
With private insurance: You need to add your child to a policy. Some couples where one has public and one has private can put the child on the public plan – consult with your insurers.
If you're self-employed with voluntary public insurance:
Statutory mandatory insured: contribution-free during Elternzeit without income. Voluntarily insured: minimum contribution applies, but family insurance with partner often possible. Privately insured: premiums continue. Elterngeld itself is contribution-free in all cases (no contributions deducted from it).
In statutory health insurance (GKV), your baby is automatically covered contribution-free through family insurance. With private insurance (PKV), you must insure your baby separately (approx. €100-200/month). Mixed couples (one GKV, one PKV): complicated rules depending on income – get advice!
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