It’s known as the “artists health insurance scheme”, the “artists social security fund”, the “Künstlersozialversicherung” and the “artists and publicists’ insurance”. In any case, it can be hard to find information online in English about the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK). We’ve put together a basic introduction with the answers to some very frequently asked questions.
What is the Künstlersozialkasse?
The Künstlersozialkasse is a health insurance scheme that treats artists, performers, publicists, writers, editors and journalists like employees: the scheme pays half of the contributions for your health insurance, pension and long-term care insurance.
The KSK is not an insurance company in its own right – you stick with the statutory insurance provider you already use or you can change it as you see fit, and in certain cases you can choose a private health insurance provider. Being accepted into the KSK can be a way to get into a public health insurance fund if your self-employed activity previously prevented you from doing so.
Do I have to join the KSK if I’m an artist?
In many cases, it’s not a choice – you are both eligible and legally obligated to be in the KSK. But they won’t chase you up about it if you’re not registered and you should be. You can only be insured from the date upon which you submit your application.
I’ve heard it’s hard to get in.
The decision about eligibility is incredibly complex, and the law that governs it is formidable. If the KSK decides you’re ineligible and you think they’re wrong, you can appeal. In any case, it will probably take the better part of a year to get the initial decision.
What is the monthly contribution that I pay to the KSK?
You’ll pay around 18% of your predicted income for the year (= profit before tax) to cover your health insurance, long-term care insurance and pension. It’s done in advance. This means you predict what you’ll earn each year and they base the contributions on your prediction. You can adjust this prediction as the year goes on and you get a better idea of your finances. Yes, plenty of people underestimate what they earn and pay significantly less than what they should. Sometimes they get away with it, sometimes they don’t.
18% of my income seems like a lot. My private contributions are cheaper.
The 18% contribution covers your health insurance, long-term care and your pension. If you were voluntarily insured under statutory health insurance as a freelancer, you would pay ca. 15.8% of your income just for health insurance and another ca. 18.9% of your income for the pension. So being in the KSK is a bargain. Especially if you’re in a profession like music teaching where you are legally obligated to pay into the pension. Plus, if you are privately health-insured, your contributions may increase as you age and don’t include free cover for dependents.
What are the basic criteria to be eligible?
- Your profession has to be recognised as “artistic”. This is complex and requires a lot of supporting documents.
- You have to be earning at least 3,900 Euros per year from your artistic work activities. (If you’re just starting out or don’t always make that amount, that’s OK, there are exceptions.)
- Your self-employment has to be your main activity for earning a living. If self-employment is a part time or a side project for you, you might not be eligible or you might only be eligible for certain parts of the coverage.
- If you have non-artistic work activities as a side project, you can’t earn more than 5,000 Euros per year profit from these.
- You can’t have more than one employee. An employee is someone that you hire to work for you and you make contributions to their social benefits. You can commission as many freelancers as you want to perform work for you, though.
I need help with my application.
Ahhh. That’s my forte. I’m in the Künstlersozialkasse myself and have helped many people with their applications. I can help you make sense of the correspondence along the way. Book a coaching to send in the strongest application you possibly can.
There’s something else I can help you with?
Are freelance translators considered artists?
Dear Carol, This is tricky. It is hard for a freelance translator to be considered an artist unless the majority of their income is made by translating artistic texts, e.g. poetry or song lyrics. Naturally, the market for poetry translations is not huge. I myself have had one song lyric translation assignment in 5 years. But copywriting is artistic, and plenty of freelance translators do both, so it just depends on what percentage of your income comes from translating non-artistic texts.
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for this answer. I’ve only just seen it. I forgot I even asked the question. I’ve now joined SMartDe (the co-op for freelancers) http://www.smart-de.org as I got dispirited by reading how long it takes to get an answer from KSK and on other forums I saw that they turn down a lot of people. But, your answer mentions that copywriting is artistic so I will see if I can get some of that kind of work – at the moment I do mostly legal translations.
Hello there
Quick question please. I am in the KSK and in the original application, in the Art Section/occupational codes/Activity Keys, you are permitted to check more than one area of work, for example B07 and D07. However when submitting this years forecast for Dec 1st 2017, it asks to confirm the code, but only permits room for one area of work and so I put the main one, B07 for example. Do you know by any chance is this is okay? Thank you.
Perfect, Brenda. They want to know where you made most of your income.
Hi, I am a frilans artist and living in Germany since 2016 and I have KSK from 2017. Now, I get a part-time job offer as a teacher for six month in Sweden which I come from. During the time I am working with my art works in Berlin as well when I have holidays in the job in Sweden. And after the job in Sweden I will back to Germany. So, I will spend less than 180days this year in Sweden. Do I need to inform KSK? Is there are any risk to lose my KSK? Thank you!
Hi Ada, Thanks for the info and congratulations on getting into the KSK. I must admit, I am not sure how a six-month overseas assignment will affect your KSK membership. I take it part-time means you’ll be employed and not freelance? How they treat this change in your circumstances will depend on a few things, such as whether your freelance work will still be your “main occupation” for 2018. The best way to know for sure would be to call the KSK and ask them directly. If you don’t want to do that until you know for sure how they will react, you could try a KSK legal advisor like Andri Jürgensen.
Greetings! Just wanted to throw a line of gratitude out into the ethers for this substantial, informative article. Everything you mention is spot on (it took me a year and a half of badgering, with all of my docs in order, all t’s crossed, and an exasperated phone call telling the KSK rep to at least make a decision or throw my case out in order to save my sanity). I do have one remaining question…do you have any insight on how to adjust the amount for monthly payments once KSK has determined what they should be based on your projected income? I am writing them a letter now on this issue, as I believe they have significantly overstated what I should be paying (especially with the idea that they are contributing “half”). Thanks again in advance. BEST–
Hi James, thanks for the nice compliment! You can adjust your prediction at any time throughout the year. The calculation they’ve made will be based on what you predicted you’d earn – if this amount ends up being significantly more (half your luck!) or less than your estimate, you can just write to them and let them know. They can’t do anything retroactively though – any changes will be applied from the date you let them know. So you can’t contact them in January and say “actually, last year, I made nothing, can I get any money back?” But if you contact them in October, you can get your November and December payments reduced, at least. Which is something.
I am preparing to leave temporarily Germany for a period of Studies of 2 years in France Oct.2018-July 2020. I am planning stay registered in Germany, pay taxes in Germany, and carry on working in Germany as a freelance artist during my school breaks. Knowing that after 2 years, I want to come back in Germany, what is the best option for me and my health insurance situation? Is it possible to remain in KSK during and after my studies, and how does it affect my status with KSK?
In order to save for my studies, I am thinking about taking a café job but keeping dance as my main professional activity. This café job would be 3 days a week between mid-April until end of August (4,5 months) either Mini-Job or part-time. As I understand it would be a mini-job as I would earn the top amount of 850 euros/month, for a total yearly amount of 3825 euros.
Knowing that I will work in this cafe job from mid-April to end of August (4,5 months) and the rest of the year I work as a freelancer, is this situation compatible with remaining in KSK and how will it affect it? Would take this job as a freelance/or under contract make any difference?
Can you think of anything else I should think about, regarding my studies or cafe job and health insurrance?
Thanks in advances for your response.
L.
Hi Liz,
Ooooh, complex but exciting! One thing that does stick out: minijob in Germany is 450 Euros or less, not 850 Euros/month. As a KSK member, you are restricted to earning 450/month (around 5000 a year) or less from any non-artistic work you do. If you do take on one minijob while freelancing, the KSK doesn’t even need to know about it. Taking on a part-time job instead of a mini-job might raise some questions, but as you mention, your yearly amount is still under 5000 Euros at the end. In any case, I recommend talking to an insurance broker, someone like Anke Lubben, to answer your questions about health insurance, study overseas and part-time jobs.
Cheers, Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for the great infos!!
You mention in the eligibility criteria that one cannot have more than one employee. As a freelance journalist, I’m commissioned by several clients throughout the year. Does that mean I’m not eligible to KSK?
If so, that criteria sounds unfair. How can one be a freelancer and only have one employer? That’s not how freelancing work for most people.
If my application is refused, does that mean that I’ll basically be forced to pay 35% of my monthly income to social security + healthcare for as long as I’m a freelancer?
In case I’m not eligible, do I still have to register with the KSK and pay them the contributions?
Hi Gabe,
EMPLOYEE, not employer. As a freelance journalist, you can have as many clients as you wish. But you can only hire one person to work for you. (Actually, you can have one employee and one minijobber on your books, apparently that’s OK too).
You can commission as many freelancers as you want though to perform work for you. An employee is someone that you hire, you pay their social benefits, offer them a work contract, etc.
If you’re not eligible, you won’t have anything to do with the KSK.
If you’re refused, there are some other options to look into.
Hope that’s clear.
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for your reply.
Ops, I misread employee for employer !
I’m still a bit confused about the social security contributions.
As a freelance journalist, I have to pay those. In theory, the KSK could cover half of them for me. But until my case is analysed by KSK, to whom should I pay the contributions? Do I have to register with some agency, office?
All the best!
Hi Gabe, while waiting for KSK to be approved, you need an interim health insurance solution, so talk to a broker about that if you are already here but not already insured. As for other social contributions, pension is optional for freelancers (until you get into the KSK), unemployment insurance is optional for freelancers (if you want it, you can sign up with the Agentur für Arbeit on a voluntary basis) and any other compulsory contributions would be taxed later down the track when you give the tax office a profit/loss statement.
I’m glad to have found your article and company. I am a self employed writer and artist in the United States who is hoping to move to Germany. I have a family and own a home in the U.S., so we’re trying to figure out as much as possible in advance. Your coaching services may be required!
Here is an initial question: In order to get the public health insurance, it sounds like I must join the KSK. Since the process is so long, is it possible to register with the KSK prior to living/working in Germany?
Hi Rachel, thanks for reaching out. It is not possible to register with the KSK prior to moving to Germany, and in fact, usually you have to wait a while before you can apply so you can show them proof of earnings as a German self employed person. In the meantime, you either get a private interim solution or you could talk to someone like Alex Holz from AOK to see if there is a way to get you and your family into the public system from the get go. But getting into the KSK later down the track also offers a way out of private and into public.
Hello Kathleen,
I am a member of the KSK already, but my artistic income is too low at present (I’m a painter and have not sold anything for several months). Due to this I have also been working as a freelance apartment cleaner to cover my living costs during the last months. I am now worried that I will be kicked out of the KSK as I am currently earning too much from the side job and not enough from art. Am I right to be so concerned, or is there an allowance for this kind of situation? I have some art income (only around 1500€/yr so far), though can prove my activity with exhibitions etc – but if I pass the 5000€ profit barrier with the side job, what happens? It’s very tricky to get by with such limited income from both sources, and it would seem to me quite harsh to be kicked out of KSK for this.. so am hoping there is a way to remain a member in the case I continue to not sell for a while longer. Thanks for your useful article and assistance!
Hi Greg. You are not alone. Plenty of artists have non-artistic sources of income, and there are plenty of questions out there about how this is dealt with. I deal with that complication myself – I am a member of the KSK, too, and the percentage of my income that is considered “artistic” fluctuates year to year. It will become an issue if you are ever audited by the KSK. You might be audited by the KSK if there are red flags on your file (e.g. you repeatedly under-report your income), or you might just be randomly audited … maybe in 7 years, e.g. Hard to know. They will ask you for your tax return (Steuererklärung). As your cleaning side job is classified as “gewerblich” and not “freiberuflich”, it will be easy to see at a glance how much income you made from freelance activities and how much you made from cleaning in one year. That is, assuming you are doing everything by the book as far as your business activities are concerned. (If you are sending invoices for cleaning under your freelance tax number as an artist, this isn’t really correct and you might want to get some advice on this.) If you are audited and the KSK decides to kick you out, they will probably keep you as a member for the pension part and just kick you out for the health insurance portion. They CAN fine you, I believe, and if they do, it’s up to 5,000 Euros once-off, at least based on advice I got a few years back. But I think a maximum 5,000 fine would have to be based on some seriously fraudulent activity. As far as I know, they don’t ALSO demand insurance back-payments along with a fine. I am however in no way an expert on this, that’s just the advice I got from a KSK consultant a few years back. So, in a nutshell – it will be an issue if you are audited (if!) by the KSK, and it is hard to tell if and when you will be audited. You could toss, turn and maintain the status quo until that actually happens. Cheers, Kathleen
Hi Kathleen, firstly, many thanks for your very clear and helpful site! I’ve
got a query about contracts, as I am preparing to attempt to register with the KSK. About half my work is clearly artistic: performing and directing theater and participatory / sociocultural projects. The other half of my work is leading creative processes (eg: creative writing, drawing, improvisation) to educate/coach younger people how to lead such sociocultural / participatory arts projects. For those jobs I am employed to share my experience as an artist in this specific field. Will this work count as artistic for the KSK? If not, is the €5000 pa income limit for non- artistic work Netto or Brutto? And, finally, is copy editing classed as artistic, as one of my main employers has offered me a year long contract in which they specify a list of various jobs I do for them, including Künstlerische Leitung, creative coaching, and copy editing (they call it ‘Lecktor’ in the contract). I’m wondering if I need different contracts for the artistic and non-artistic jobs, to aid my KSK application??. Please shine a light if you can! Thank you.
Hi Pip. I can indeed shine a lot of light on all your questions and help you organise things in a way that makes it clear-cut, but it is going to involve a bit of a lengthy conversation and getting more information. So let me know if you’d like to book a coaching. Cheers, Kathleen
Thanks Kathleen, I appreciate that is a lot of questions so I have booked a consultation with you. However, if you are able to give a quick response about my query on ‘do i need separate contracts for artistic and copy editing work?’ now I (and other readers I am sure!) would really appreciate it, as I have an urgent need to answer my main client who wants to bundle together different jobs into one year long retainer contract asap!
Hi Pip. Copy editing is considered artistic in most cases, especially if your work gets published, and Lektorieren is also covered under the list of occupations covered by the KSK. You might need to be careful with coaching – the KSK will probably want more information there, as might the Finanzamt, to figure out how to treat this income stream for tax purposes. You don’t necessarily need separate contracts with your client (not employer, right?), but once you’ve determined /the KSK has determined which income streams are artistic and which are not, I’d at least invoice them separately. You might not have a choice anyway, when it comes to “coaching”. But that’s another can of worms that we will talk about in detail 🙂
Many thanks Kathleen, i really appreciate it! Its good news about the copy editing (yes, it is published). The client (not employer!) is a program, they will make a contract with me but, as you suggest, I will send different invoices for the different jobs – and these will be paid by different organisations even (as the program has different partners with specific budgets). Thank you. I look forward to our consultation.
Dear Kathleen,
Thank you for this article and all the practical advices that you share! I work as a freelance translator and production manager for a couple of filmmaking companies. Do you think I have a chance of getting into the KSK? Would it be considered “artistic” enough?
Translators have a tough time getting into the KSK unless the content they translate is considered artistic. So what do you mostly translate? Poetry? Film scripts? If you can prove that, your chances are good. But if the film company mostly sends you work contracts, forget it. The KSK will also want to know exactly what “production manager” means, too. Is your job mostly organisational? Or are you mostly involved in creating art? You can’t make any more than 5,000 Euros profit a year from non-artistic work. If you prove that you create art most of the time in your job, go for it.
Hi Kathleen, I found you googling and that was quite useful. I have question, I am working freelancing nearly full time now as an art handler for recognized galleries in Berlin and I did a masters in art here in Germany. I still have exhibitions but my income from artistic sales is non existent. Would I be considered for the KSK under these circumstances? Thanks a lot for your help!
Hi Rob,
I don’t know specifically whether KSK considers the job title Art Handler to be artistic, but it sounds like you already know it’s not and have defined your two streams of work (art handler – installation, transfer and deinstallation of exhibition objects, right?, and artist – actually creating the works). I imagine the KSK would probably see it the same way, I just don’t know for sure. In any case, you’d have to be making roughly 3,900 Euros per year from your artistic work to qualify for the KSK. You would also have to be making MOST of your income from creating art, and only 5,000 or less in profit from other sources. Some exceptions can be made for the 3,900 figure if you’re in the first few years of your career and could be considered a “beginner”.
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you so much for your helpful articles and comments! I am in “Round 2” of my KSK application and they have asked where I practice my self-employment (exclusively inside Germany, exclusively outside, or both within and outside). I’m a freelance Voice Over Artist and this year all of my work has been inside of Germany but occasionally in the past, I have done jobs for US companies who found me online. I think I would like to pursue more online jobs in the future and can’t predict where those companies would be based. Will it hurt my application to say “both?” Thank you so much for your time!
It doesn’t matter if your clients are based in other countries, it matters where you perform the work. If you only ever perform the work in Germany and you send it to your clients in other countries, then the answer is “exclusively inside Germany”.
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you so much for your very helpful post! I am in “Round Two” of my KSK application and they have asked where I practice my self-employment (exclusively in Germany, exclusively outside of Germany, or both). I am a Voice Over Artist and while all of my work this year has been from German companies, I might potentially in the future get work through online means and can’t predict where that would come from. Should I just say “exclusively in Germany” for now and change it if work from other countries comes in? Would ticking “both” hurt my application? Thank you so much for your time!
Hi Kathleen,
Does income over EUR 5000 per month from corporate writing – creating and editing for internal and external corporate websites, newsletters etc qualify as copy Editing and qualify for the KunstlerKK? This would be in addition to side activities like a travel blog, cooking and restaurant blog which would generate much less income?
Your advice is greatly appreciated! Anna
Hi Anna,
well, I’d allow it! But I’m not the decision maker. I personally work as a copywriter for corporate websites and my income from these activities is accepted as “PR” work and copy editing by the KSK. I don’t know how they’d feel about the internal websites, since your work is not really published or made public, but rather for internal use only, and might ask you to tell them what percentage of income you make from externally published stuff and what percentage you get from internal content. That’s a guess on my part about how they would dig a bit deeper. PS I assume you are not dependent on ONE client for a large majority of your income? Cheers, Kathleen
Hello,
Let me explain my husband case.
He owns a online news media out of Germany but has residence in Germany and he is non german.
Can he register here as freelencer and work for this media from Germany and benefit from KSK?
Thanks
I can’t answer that question, but if he is a freelancer then he should submit an application and find out if he is eligible! But if he OWNS an online news media outlet (what legal form does it take, for example? Is he the managing director?), it depends on whether his role is more of an executive role (running the company) or creating the media content.
Hiya.
I’m wondering whether I would be eligible as a filmmaker. I make the majority of my income on commercial projects – short films and advertising spots of companies. I also create work of my own.
Do you think I might be eligible?
Hi Joey, the best way to tell is to apply, show them samples of your work, describe it in great detail, give proof of invoices and money, and find out. Let me know if you’d like some help getting together the application.
Cheers
Kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you so much for your helpful articles and elaborate comments!
Would you mind if I ask you some initial advice on whether I’d fit for KSK?
I’m on a freelance visa as Kunstsachverständige. I’m working as an assistant and curator for an art gallery – I do a lot of different things there from editing texts and making layouts for catalogues to actual exhibition curating and design. I also occasionally assist artists with projects. All as freelance.
Out of what I’m seeing on KSK website, my status as Kunstsachverständige might not fit… But then, it seems to be quite abstract and I’m free to write in my invoices something that will work for KSK better, the gallery will be fine with that.
What would you think?
Many many thanks in advance!
Hi Olga. It depends how much of your work is “curating” (which is more management-based than artistic, as I understand it?) and how much comes from the other areas, in which you actually create the art/works yourself (or how much of your work you can describe as types of work that would qualify, as you say!). It would be worth firstly phoning the KSK to ask what their stand is on Kunstsachverständigung. I suspect you are right about it not fitting in, but can’t say for sure. If it doesn’t fit, you can’t make more than 5,000 Euros a year profit from it. Have you looked at the application from to see if it fits in one of their tickboxes? I think you should apply, describe the types of work you do (as you see fit) and see what they say. Let me know if you’d like some help applying.
I am seeking to apply to KSK a second time. Last time was July 2018 in which I was rejected. I work as a freelance art curator, I have invoices explaining I did work as a researcher, a writer, a producer and an art curator. I saw your reply to Olga and it is not true that a curator is only a manager of some sorts, curation is purely research and writing, most of the work is based in theory and practice just like art. It is usually the gallery director and staff who works with the curator and artist to produce the exhibition and manages logistics, sales and press. Furthermore, curatorial programs are only offered in art schools. It seems very biased to rule this type of work out of KSK.
It’s very important for me to get into public insurance as a freelancer because currently I am paying half of my income for just private insurance and rentenversicherung alone (it’s very hard for me to survive this way!!) and also because I have a pre-exisiting condition which I cannot get medically treated for unless I am on public insurance. I would like to apply again for KSK and would like to know if I can reapply after a certain time, and if I can angle my career differently so that this time I am successful.
Hi Jenny, I hope you have better luck the second time around. Also, if you’re not happy with the decision, you have legal recourse and you can try to appeal it. In any case, I suggest you talk to a guru like Andri Jürgensen who specialises in KSK law before you apply the second time. He speaks English. And please let me know how it goes! -Kathleen
Hi Kathleen ,
First of all thanks fo this website – hopefully you will be able to enlighten me a bit more.
I am a freelance living in Berlin and I have been accepted with KSK 6 months ago more or less. The main reason I moved from AOK to KSK at the time is because I was paying 300€ with AOK and they told me the higher income you have the more you pay (it was my first year as a freelance so I didn’t have too many excpectatios) . While with KSK the state covers half of your insurance.
For the last 6 months with KSK I was paying 400€ per month and last week they sent me a letter saying that due to my income prediction for 2019 I have to pay 600€ a month (!!!) . My income for 2018 was 38000€ before taxes… so I think 600€ a month for KSK is way too much!! Aren’t they supposed to cover half of the insurance ( they say 300€ of pension plus 300 of health insurance )? . First of all, Is there a way to opt out the pension fee? I’m not gonna be in Germany for ever. Second, what’s the point of being with KSK if it’s to expensive?
Thanks
Margaux
Hi Margaux. With a profit of 38,000 Euros, the calculation is exactly right – it’s 18.9% of your income (profit). I hope you didn’t mean revenue instead. Keep in mind that the payment covers your health insurance, long term care insurance and your pension contributions. If you were just paying the AOK and not the pension and you weren’t in the KSK, the monthly contribution for your health insurance alone would be 480 Euros alone. Unfortunately, it is not possible to opt out of the pension contribution. You are probably still with AOK, you’re just paying them through the KSK, because the KSK isn’t actually a health insurance provider, the KSK is the pool of money that covers half of your costs. KSK is only “too expensive” if you see no value in paying into the pension. I understand why you might not wish to, if you’re not staying in Germany for very long, in which case, you could get out of it (not easy! but not impossible) and get a private health insurance policy instead, or just pay your 480 Euros a month into the AOK as a voluntary member.
Right now I have traveler’s health insurance and I need German insurance to get my visa renewed. Do I need to have a public insurance policy BEFORE I start the process of joining KSK? Or can I start my application without having it?
I would get a policy that meets the requirements and ALSO show proof that you have submitted your KSK application by the time you go to your renewal appointment. Talk to a broker like Antje Luebben.
Hi, I would like to know if I am eligible to be with KSK. I am a freelance artist and mostly make my income by teaching dance and fitness courses. I audition from time to time but only booked a few jobs here since 2015. A lot of my colleges that are freelancers as well told me KSK would be a perfect fit for me. I looked over the application and immediately got overwhelmed. Should I apply to KSK? I plan on staying in Berlin for a while and I would like to cancel my current private insurance and have official German health insurance. Hope you can help, thanks for your time. =)
Hi Kathleen,
When you say it is necessary to earn €3900 or more from your artistic work, is that profit? For example if I sold €5000 in paintings but spent €6000 in the year on materials where would that leave me regarding the KSK?
thanks
Yes, profit. So you would have made a loss, which might make it hard to get in to the KSK. However, there are some exceptions in the first few years of your career, if you are a beginner. I would talk to someone like Andri Jürgensen or Anke Lübben. cheers, kathleen
Hi Kathleen,
How much is it to go through this application process with you?
Best,
Tom
Hi Tom. 75 Euros / hr for a Skype or in-person coaching, including VAT. You can book it here. Cheers, Kathleen
Hello,
I have a question concerning hiring someone as a freelance artist myself.
So, I received funding for a project, I have paid a collaborator, also freelancer to do part of the job, now doing my tax declaration, I am wondering what I need to do/report?
thank you in advance!
Lili
If you hired a freelancer, you just include your freelancer’s invoices as your business expenses. Nothing more than that. Make sure your freelancer’s invoices are correct before you pay them. Cheers, Kathleen
thank you, Kathleen!
Hello Kathleen,
Thanks so much for the really useful information provided here. I got my freelancer’s residence permit for 3 years with Mawista health insurance (based on some of the forums I’ve read, now I’m wondering how!) and now I want to change over to a “proper” health insurance company… I got a reasonable quote from ALC and they assure me that they comply with German law (ie: h § 193 Abs 3 VVG and § 257 Abs. 4 SGB), but I have actually read conflicting reports.
The question is whether it’s worthwhile for me to take a policy with them in the interim so I am legally covered – eg: for a year — I am pretty sure it would not be a good idea to show up with an ALC policy to my Visa renewal interview in a few year’s time. I am asking this specifically in regards to my application to KSK in the fairly near future.
All the best,
Susie
I too have heard conflicting things which may or may not depend on what happens with Brexit. I can’t really advise you though, because I’m not supposed to give health insurance advice. If you are eligible for KSK, it’ll take ages to get it approved (months) and you’ll need an interim solution. Once you’re in the KSK that will definitely appease the Ausländerbehörde and you can cancel the private insurance policy.
Hello! I am already with KSK. I am a music teacher. I am wondering how it works when women get pregnant. Is maternity leave paid like a “normal” maternity leave in Germany? (12 months 65% of the salary and 6 weeks before and 8 weeks after giving birth (100%) as well? It’s very important for me since I am a foreigner and I don’t have acces to any social benefits like Kindergeld or Elterngeld.
If it’s not paid and I won’t work and won’t have any income, shall I leave KSK then? (I can be insured with my husband while not working). In this case would I need to apply to KSK again later? Thanks in advance
Hi Alina,
If you are pregnant, then congratulations! I’ve been a member of the KSK for about 7 years and have had two babies during that time. The six weeks before and 8 weeks afterwards is called “Mutterschaftsgeld” and IS paid out by your public health insurance company, but it’s based on the prediction you submitted to the KSK. So if you predicted you’d earn 12,000 EUR from your artistic freelance work in a year, they’ll base the Mutterschaftsgeld payment on that, and not what you ACTUALLY earned. As for Elterngeld (the parental leave payment – that’s the 12 months at 65% you’re talking about), yes, you can apply for that and receive it, and if you choose Basiselterngeld you won’t pay your health insurance or pension contributions during that time. What I don’t understand is why you won’t have access to Kindergeld or Elterngeld because you’re a foreigner. These are not “social benefits” like ALGII, so you could very well be eligible for them. I, as a foreigner, got Elterngeld twice and am receiving Kindergeld for 2 kiddies. Good luck! And book a Baby Bureaucracy coaching closer to the time if you want some help with all this. Cheers, Kathleen
Hi! I just stumbled across this site. I have a couple of questions I wonder if you might know the answer to…. I have just been accepted into KSK. However, while I was waiting I was going to loose my health insurance so I took a part time job teaching at a school so I could get health insurance immediately in the meantime while I waited for the approval from KSK. The amount eaned per month as a part time employee at the school sometimes is under 450€ and sometimes over depending on the month this is why they offered health insurance but since school isnt year round then if you average out the 12 months it would equal under 450€ per month. Is this going to be a problem. I was told no by another friend who is a long time member if KSK and that I just need to tell them about the job and send my monthly earning reports to them. I just wanted get a second opinion after I read your article. Honestly, I’m not in love with this other job and no longer need it for my health insurance now that I’m in KSK. I certainly would not want it to mess up my membership as my main source of income is derived from my artistic work and has consistently for the past several years. Another question: when I filled out my paperwork for this extra teaching job I was asked if I already had a pension number and I gave the temporary number I was give by KSK. For some reason though, they enrolled me in the Deutsche Rentenversicherungs Bund with a new number. It was flagged by my health insurance Krankenkasse and they said I am not allowed to have two pension numbers and that the KSK number should be the only number as it predates the other one. We sent paperwork to the Rentenversicherung bund and they sent me a form back saying that both numbers were valid. My German friend in KSK says she has never heard if this. I am totally confused about what is going on!
Question 3: I saw that for freelance music teaching it is required to pay into your pension and not optional. I was never aware of this. I derive a lot of my artistic income from this and habe had an established business here in Germany for several years now. Is it possible for me to pay into to backdate my pension with KSK? I am happy to do that as it obviously benefits me in the long run.
Hi Michelle, Thanks for the questions. I advise you to talk to the KSK directly about all this – I’m fairly sure the part-time job won’t negatively affect your membership as long as the amount you make from freelance artistic pursuits exceeds it and as long as you inform them of it and give them the evidence they need.I have no idea how to proceed with the pension number problem – how very confusing for you! I guess you can only keep the two offices informed about what the other office is saying. And 3: any sort of teaching requires payment into the pension, but this problem will be solved for you by being in the KSK, and you’ll be paying into the pension once your KSK membership comes into effect. Don’t worry about backpaying anything before this date unless you’re specifically asked to (unlikely!) or you want to. Cheers, Kathleen
Hi Kathlene, I just stumbled in your column and find it very useful. Thanks for your assistance. I am a KSK member since 2 years and my projected profit for 2019 is quite lower than it actually turns out now. KSK is charging me accordingly. Do I have to let them know the change ( profit increase) projection now, in October, or early next year when I will have the exact figure? Will they charge me the balance in Nov-Dec? I think it will be good if they do as I will have the costs deducted in my 2019 tax return. What do you think? Thank you in advance.
Hi Assen, tell them now, because they can’t change anything retroactively. They can only change your contributions from the time at which you let them know your income is less than usual. Once 2020 comes around, you won’t be able to do anything about 2019’s payments.
Hi Kathleen! Thank you for this detailed introduction into KSK, I learned a lot from it!
I hope you can help with my question,
I should submit my expected netto income for 2020 by the end of November. I see that the minimum expected income should be 3900 Euros, but what is the maximum? I mean if I expect to earn for example 30 000 Euros next year, my insurance fee is going to be high, but is it possible that they will kick me out if the income is too high? Is there a threshold on a maximum expected income?
Thank you very much!
There is no maximum income. Just as long as it mostly comes from artistic work. There’s a maximum on the amount you can earn from non-artistic sources: roughly 5,000 EUR profit per year.
Hi Kathleen – Thanks so much for sharing this amazingly helpful info with all of us!! I’ve been in the process of applying for KSK since June and I *think* I’ve received a letter of acceptance today!! Based on what you said: “You can only be insured from the date upon which you submit your application.”; which is what they’ve listed in this letter and I am aware that I will need to pay the fees starting from June 2019… My only question for you is: since I’ve been paying for my current insurance at the same period of time, will I be able to get the money back from them if I show them this new KSK acceptance letter so I can avoid being double-insured?
Please advise how this shall be handled… and thanks so much in advance for your help. Cheers!!
If you were publicly health insured while you waited for an answer, you can get the money back from your health insurance company and pay KSK, but if you were privately insured, you won’t get the money back.
Dear Kathleen,
first of all, thank you for your work and all the informations!
I am member of KSK 6 years and I just received a letter from them that pretty much says that they will terminated my membership, because the next year’s earnings and the last known income from self-employment will not exceed the limit of 3,900 EUR, although as far I understand, I am paying a fee equal of this limit already and not less.
My questions are:
Could I just reply them, that I would like to stay member and change my prediction?
Which is the minimum prediction?
For an income of 3.900 EUR, how much I supposed to pay for Rentenversicherung at KSK?
Most important, If my membership is terminated, can I re-join KSK in the future or they won’t accept me back again?
Thank you very much!
Sorry to hear they terminated your membership. You could try! You have to earn at least 3,900 EuR from your freelance artistic activity or you’re not eligible to be in the KSK.
If your situation changes, you can re-apply.
Dear Kathleen,
Your page is great! I had two quick questions:
– On line 7a (Ich bin bereits im gesamten laufenden Kalenderjahr selbständig künstlerisch / publizistisch tätig und werde vo- raussichtlich folgendes Jahresarbeitseinkommen erzielen) should I put the amount I’m expecting to make brutto or netto?
– What is the exact address and in which form should I mail my application/portfolio? Booklet, stapled, paper clips?
Thank you!
Dear Kathleen,
Thank you so much for giving all the answers, it is hugely appreciated!
I have a question about the conditions of applying to KSK- do I need to work as a freelancer for at least a year, to show how much tax was paid? Or right from the start of officially being a German freelancer?
You can apply right from the beginning if you were a freelancer in your home country, if you can send the invoices and corresponding payments and if you earned at least 3,900 EUR as an artist within the year. The process takes a while anyway – it’s possible they’ll send you a letter a few months later asking to see current invoices and contracts, but if you’re accepted, it’ll be backdated, so worth applying straight away if you can. The only thing is, if you need a work permit from the foreigner’s office, you’ll have to have an interim health insurance solution until you get in, otherwise they won’t give you a permit.
Dear Kathleen,
I am a self-employed fine artist with a steady stream of shows around the world. I have lived in Berlin since 2005 but for all this time I have also taught in an art-school in London with a 40% permanent teaching post (a two days a week contract).
Up until Brexit I remained self-employed in the UK and paid all my tax in the UK (both on my self-employed and my employed art-school earnings). Up until the end of this year the UK tax office has paid the German Technisches Krakenkasse to provide me with health cover and a health insurance card (as I couldn’t access the UK’s National Health Service even though I paid for it in my taxes).
Because of Brexit I have shifted my self-employed status to Germany, file german tax-returns, and succeeded in getting my German citizenship. But at the end of December the UK/German health insurance arrangement will expire – so I now need to get health insurance in Germany…
I earn enough from my self-employed artist work to qualify for the KSK and can show enough catalogues, commissions etc. but I earn more than 5,000 Euros from my employed teaching post in the UK (and more than I do from my self-employed activity).
My teaching work is very much built upon my profile as a practising artist – but does this 40% teaching post make me ineligible to join the KSK?
Sorry… Its a really complicated case…!
best wishes
Simon
Hi Simon, sorry for the delay. There’s no question of the work being considered artistic (it is), but the employment aspect confuses me as you seem to have one foot in the UK and one in Germany. Can you make the teaching post self-employed? Can you send them invoices instead of them employing you as a UK citizen? If you can, that would solve the problem. Otherwise I think this is a question for a German tax advisor.
Dear Kathleen,
I’m resident of Germany for few years and have status of freelancer. With the current situation of coronavirus in the world seems like it is possible that I will not have any income from my artistic freelance activities in 2020. At the moment it looks like I have to change my estimated income for 2020 from 16000 to 0. I read somewhere in internet that I can go below the amount of 3900 euros (profit) twice in a 6-year period , is that correct? Are there any other special conditions? Can I declare now for KSK my income as 0 until the situation becomes better?
Thank you very much for your help!
Best wishes,
Artiom
Hi Artiom, yes, I found the same information here. Yes, you should contact the KSK if your prediction changes significantly. I suspect, however, that you are not alone, and that the KSK may be amenable to overlooking income loss due to Corona. Also have a look here to find out if you could apply for a one-off government grant to support freelancers. I’m not sure which Bundesland you are in – if you’re in Bavaria, NRW or Berlin, you might be in luck.
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for providing a platform for KSK specific info in English. I’ve been in the KSK for about 5 years now. I don’t make so much money with my artwork and I would like to have a more secure source of income. Would it be possible to work in an advertising agency as a graphic designer or some other artistic work part-time or full-time and still remain in the KSK? Between staying in the KSK and having to pay thousands in Taxes in advance for going over a certain income threshold(this happened to me last year)- I’m starting to feel disempowered and depressed.
I hope you are safe and healthy.
Best Regards,
Carlton
Sorry to hear that, Carlton. I can sympathise. Sometimes I feel like my bookkeeping software is lying to me even about the modest profit I’m supposedly making because it all seems to melt away in taxes. Yes, it is possible under some circumstances to stay in the KSK. E.g. you work as a freelance graphic designer and the KSK considers the work you do as a graphic designer artistic. Or they could hire you as a minijobber, or even part-time in some circumstances (But I don’t know very much about how that works). I’d just call and ask them. I can help you make those calls, or others, with Life Admin if you like.
Hello, I wonder, if you earn about 40’000 a year, is it still worth being in the ksk? or would it be cheaper to get voluntarily insured? I know you said above it’s still better to be in the ksk, but I wonder if there is a income threshold where it is not benefical?
And if you earn more than what you planned to earned, you said sometimes they get away with it, and sometimes they don’t. What happen if they don’t? You just have to pay the difference?
It depends on how much you value paying into the statutory pension system. If you make 40K profit, voluntary health insurance and long-term care insurance through a public insurer is roughly 15.8% of your profit (526 EUR a month). A voluntary pension payment is roughly 18.9% of your profit (630 a month). Put together, that’s roughly 34% of your profit (1156 EUR per month). KSK membership (health insurance, long-term care insurance plus pension) is roughly 18% of your profit (600). For all three. As a freelancer who is not in the KSK, you might be exempt from paying into the pension, and maybe the pension isn’t that important to you. If that’s the case, yes, you’d save 30 Euros per month by not contributing to the pension and being voluntarily health insured.
Dear Kathleen, I’ve just secured membership of the KSK . I’ve worked as a freelance piano tutor for the last 18 months and currently earn €450 a month from this. I have now been offered the possibility of earning a similar sum each month as a church musician under a contract with benefits ie as an employee. My concern is whether accepting such a contract and continuing what I consider my primary job as a piano tutor would create a problem with my membership with the KSK .
Hi Easton, if you earn more from your self-employment than from your part-time job/minijob, you can still be in the KSK. If the job ends up being a minijob (maximum earnings 450/month) then you don’t have to do a thing. If the job ends up being a midijob ( >450 month ) then you can still remain insured through the KSK as long as self-employment is still your main occupation (consistently more earnings, more hours). You might have to arrange with your employer not to pay health/long term care insurance contributions from your paycheck because you’ll pay them through the KSK. Your pension contributions will be divided between the two lines of work. Just tell your employer’s HR person all your particulars and hopefully they’ll work it out for you.
Hi Kathleen,
Very helpful website – thank you!
Is the 3,900 euros expected income net or gross? Say I made +10k this year but my expenses ate most of them. Would I be eligible?
Would appreciate your help!
It’s supposed to be profit, so if 10K was the revenue, then 3.900 is after your business expenses have been taken out of the revenue, but before income tax. But if that’s the only thing holding you back from KSK membership, well, reducing your business expenses is easy enough. Just don’t claim them as business expenses on your tax return.
Hi Kathleen!
I’m sitting here with Jacqueline Bruce (who speaks the world of you, by the way), and we are talking about my situation.
My work situation is quite piecemeal right now—I’m working as a clarinetist (playing and teaching), English teacher (freelance with Berlitz), and as a freelance artist manager/concert producer. As I’m completely a freelancer, I obviously would really need to be a part of KSK to get adequate health coverage.
My question is: would my work as a freelance arts manager/concert producer count toward the requirements? Also, am I allowed to piecemeal together several types freelance work to get into KSK?
Hi Jay, (Hi Jacqueline!!). KSK is a complex animal. If you do freelance work that isn’t considered artistic (the creating of art), then you can do it, but you can only make a profit of 5,000 EUR or less per year. The KSK will get a detailed picture of your work, they might ask questions like “what percentage of your work is management and production and what percentage is actually performing and teaching?” If they consider the management tasks non-artistic (very likely), you’d have to keep the income from these sources minimal. Piecemealing is absolutely fine as long as most of your income comes from “creating art”. So you can be a clarinettist, a clarinet teache (artistic), but the English teaching and management stuff would have to be a side gig (less than 5,000 profit). Key word here – profit. Not revenue. Good luck!
Hi Kathleen,
Thank you for creating this page 🙂 and help so many people!
I would like to ask you three things.
I work freelance as a photographer and as a photo retoucher for other photographers, in the form there is only the photographer point, should I attach a sheet explaining the work as a photo retoucher? or it is enough to mark photographer. I wonder this because many of the invoices that I have for showing them are as a photo retoucher for other photographers.
The second, I have not found it, is if I have to print all the files and send it by postcard, or can I apply by email? Where I make the final application?
The last, is that I started working freelance a little over a year ago here in Germany, I spent a few months in private insurance for foreigners and then out of the country for other months, now I decided to apply for KSK and TK, it may be that they want to charge me retroactive the care and pension from the moment I started to be a freelancer?
Thanks in advance for you help!!
All the best
Hi Arai. If there’s no checkbox that fits, you can either tick the “other, similar profession” box and attach an extra note saying that you retouch, or you can include that information in your cover letter and explain that you consider this service to fall under photography. I don’t think it really matters which way you disclose the information, as long as you do disclose it so that they have a full picture of your activities.
The application is sent by post. I know, right? Come on guys, it’s 2020.
Finally, I don’t know the answer to your last question. All I know is that if you are a resident of Germany, you must have valid health insurance, even while you are waiting to hear back from the KSK (which can take months and months). GOod luck! Kathleen
Hi Arai and Kathleen, I actually have a similar question for both of you. I was wondering if Arai actually got into KSK with this photo retouching gig. I am in KSK mainly as a journalist. However recently I am offered a freelance gig from a commercial client (an external website) to do photo editing. It involves retouching, selecting photos, researching photos in picture archives. Is this considered an artistic activity? My second question would be – the fees is definitely going to be over the 450 euro per month side-gig limit, though the job is only going to last for two months. Would I then not be allowed to be in KSK anymore…? And Kathleen, thanks so much for sharing all this information. It’s incredibly helpful for people like me navigating this very bureaucratic system!
Hi Charlotte, hard to say whether it’ll be deemed artistic or not (probably not if you are following specific instructions from your client about how to do your job, but they might ask for more specific information) but in any case, it’s the yearly sum that matters. Your PROFIT from non-artistic stuff has to be below 5,400 EUR per year. Earning 1,000 EUR in one month is not a big deal, but earning 1,000 EUR for six months is.
Cheers,
Kathleen
Hi Charlotte. I’m also curious about the photo retouching gig. I suspect it won’t be considered artistic, but then again, EVERYTHING is case by case. In any case Charlotte, what really counts for the “side gig” income limit is not the monthly amount but the yearly amount. If the yearly profit from your side gig is below 5,400 EUR, it’s fine to stay, even if the KSK doesn’t consider the retouching artistic.
Hello!
Thanks for making this thread, super helpful!
I am a freelance artist and insured with of the ksk since 2017. I now have also taken a part time job for a Berlin based firm for 8 months in the same field of my freelance work.
I have informed the ksk that I am both employed part time and still working for other clients on a freelance basis. Since 2 months, my employer is deducting the payments for health and pension from the salary. Do I also still have to personally pay additional contributions as a freelancer or is the salary deduction is enough? I got a letter from the ksk telling me there is a negative balance in my account. Is this a mistake? Should I really pay twice for that? It would sum up to a huge cost.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Niv. This will probably depend on whether you are making more money from the part-time job or from freelancing. When you start a part-time job, they usually ask you if your main occupation remains freelance. They might de-register you from the KSK while you’re employed, and then ask you to tell them when you resume freelancing again. But there are a lot of factors involved. I would simply call and ask them. If they need more information from you, they’ll send you paperwork.
Best way to figure this one out is to communicate with the KSK directly. However, sometimes it takes them a few months to get it all sorted though, and they keep charging you in the meantime and then refund you later.
Hello Kathleen,
I am grateful that I made my way here when I was searching about KSK, thank you so much for sharing the info and having patience answering all the questions.
I just finished my master studies in Hamburg, and I would like to stay as a freelance graphic designer in Germany, so now I am struggling to get the paperworks done, do you help people outside Berlin as well?
And I have one more question, is it possible for me later to be a part of an UG after I joined KSK? Would it be a conflict?
Thank you so much!
Hi Saki! Yes, I can help you even if you are in Hamburg.
You can be in the KSK even if you are part of a UG – the KSK will assess the UG and decide whether it is artistic in nature or not. They’ll then figure out how much income you make from the UG. All of those things will affect your membership in the KSK. But being part of a UG does not exclude you from being in the KSK in itself.
Hi Saki,
So sorry for the delayed reply. Hundred of comments piled up in the blog for a while there! Yes, I can help people outside of Berlin, but I imagine your situation has probably resolved itself by now. And the legal form you choose for your self-employed activity (e.g. a UG) does not affect your KSK membership, as long as it is deemed artistic. The KSK will assess the UG based on the information in the commercial register, description of your activities, and make an assessment about whether it is an artistic UG or not. Then they’ll figure out how much income you earn from it, and use that to determine your membership. It’s not a deal-breaker, put it that way. Cheers, Kathleen.
Dear Kathleen,
I am happy to come across your page.Very useful information indeed. Thank you.
I am an independent mixed media artist ( video art and film ) based in Germany, since very long years i was working in this field as an artist and also curator. My work is very digital, so most of the work are curated online for my own projects and also for cultural platforms where i combine my art skills with curation. Most of the works are connected with my background and where i come from.My work is more international although i am based and live in Germany. Would it be a problem? Should i mention clearly the areas of work even if it is Digital and online?
Thank you very much
Hi Aziz,
Whether it’s digital or online work is not an issue, both would be fine, and international client bases are not a problem either. It’s the title “Curator”. You’d have to make most of your money from creating your own art and very little from curating. Cheers, Kathleen
It doesn’t matter whether it’s digital or not, but curation is not considered creating art and doesn’t fit in the right box for KSK membership. If you work as a curator on the side but your yearly profit from curating stays below 5,400 EUR and everything else you do IS considered creating works of art, you’ll be able to join if you fulfill all the other conditions. The KSK will just want to get more information from you about how your work is allocated (e.g. is it 50% creating own works and 50% curating?). If you want more information on how to present your case, book a coaching. Cheers.
Hey RedTape!
I’m considering working with you to apply to KSK as a Graphic Designer, but my income is typically above 40k per year. I pay €250 for health insurance now, but no other insurances / pension.
If I were to leave the KSK through a salaried position, or leave Germany entirely, would I still have access to the pension or would it be transferred to another country?
Thanks in advance!
Jonathan
It doesn’t matter how you pay into the state pension while you’re in Germany, the money will be there for you to access when you retire in Germany. If you go abroad, you can recover most of your pension contributions only once you’ve been outside of Germany for 2 years.
Hi Kathleen,
I’m a visual artist, but last year I only worked freelance as an art restorer. I was wondering if this (the art restoration) would also fall under artistic activity for the KSK? I didn’t specifically see it on the list, but realize it’s kind of specific.
The KSK usually likes to know that you are creating original works of art. Art restoration is therefore difficult because you are restoring works of art originally created by others. According to this very interesting article on restoration and the KSK, around 17% of art restorers get in, and the rejection of many is based on case law – a court decision from 2001. Sad face, unless only a portion of your artistic work comes from restoring and most of it comes from other types of visual artistic work? Kathleen
Hi,
My wife is an artist. She just started her own business as an illustrator. I am not working so I am covered with her insurance. In case, she will be accepted into KSK, am I still be covered by her insurance? Does this effect my situation?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Cigdem, as long as your wife has public health insurance (whether through the KSK or as a voluntary member) and as long as your profit stays below 5,400 EUR per year, you can still be “familienversichert” under her policy. KSK won’t change this for you. Cheers, Kathleen
Hello, I am a freelance artist but have so far been covered by insurance from a previous work contract for the last 3 years whilst I have been in Elternzeit. My husband is in KSK, and I plan to also join. My Elternzeit and the insurance coverage end in July, and I am certain that my KSK application will take much longer than that. In the meantime, does that make me and our daughter safe under my husband’s insurance as “familienversichert” ( as I currently do not make that much income – def below 5400 a year at the moment)? Additionally, I have read through the bbk website that KSK has become more lenient due to the difficult Covid year for freelance artist. Do you about this, and what it might mean exactly? Thank you!
Hi Sadie, yes, it absolutely makes sense to become familienversichert while you are waiting to hear back from the KSK. Good plan. There are some ways in which the KSK might have become lenient during the COVID period (e.g. they might make an exception if an existing member falls below the 3,900 EUR threshold during the pandemic) but if you don’t meet that requirement from the get-go, you won’t get in, unless of course you’re a career beginner (in the first couple of years of self-employment as an artist). In any case, it’s all… case by case! So the best solution is to apply when you think your circumstances make you eligible. If you want help figuring this stuff out, feel free to book a coaching with me. Cheers!
Hi Kathleen,
I have a quick question: Does KSK care where I make my freelance artistic money? Specifically, could I also report income paid into my US bank account / would that count toward my artistic earnings?
Thanks in advance!
Absolutely. It doesn’t matter where it comes from or which bank account or Paypal account or online wallet it lands in.
Hello,
I joined the KSK in summer of 2019 when I went from being employed in opera houses to being a freelance artist. I went to the UK just before the pandemic for what was supposed to be one freelance contract. I got stuck, and have not been able to find any more freelance work in Germany, and now my freelance visa has expired. I would really like to move back to Germany, but have no idea when that will be. How do I withdraw from the KSK in a way that will make it the simplest to get back in (and to get my freelance visa again) when I (hopefully) return, if I return as a freelancer?
Thank you,
Julia
Hi Julia! What a complicated situation. I would simply write to the KSK and explain what happened, include your forwarding address and some proof of your travel to the UK if you can (e.g. plane ticket), along with a copy of your now-expired permit. Did you happen to de-register from Germany? If so, include the “Abmeldung” certificate too. Not being in the country anymore is a pretty good reason to cancel your KSK. When you get back, you’ll have to start with a new application, but if the circumstances of your return make you eligible to join, then it won’t be a problem. Good luck!
Hi Thanks for the info
i wonder if i get accepted by the KSK that means
i dont pay anymore to TK?
How much will i pay to KSK in total to cover my health insurance and retirement ?
You’ll still be in TK but KSK will take over the transaction. You’ll pay the KSK half of what you’d normally pay TK; and KSK will contribute the other half and pass the payment on to TK on your behalf. You’ll also pay half your pension, and KSK will pay the other half directly to the pension.
Hello Kathleen,
I am writing to you as I wanted to check if this is true that somebody with ksk cannot have different source of the money and by this I mean even short term apartment rent?
I would really appreciate your reply.
Thanks for a good explanatory!
Not true – it’s OK to have other sources of income besides freelancing under some circumstances, but there are rules and limits to observe.
I have been registered with KSK since 2017 and I have to leave Germany for about a year or so for personal reasons. Does anyone know how easy/if its possible to sign back in to KSK if I choose to return to Germany in a year or so? Like is there any way to “pause it” or will I have to start the whole process from zero again?
There is a form you can fill out in which you inform the KSK of your “Auslandsaufenthalt” and they decide what happens to your membership while you’re away. It’s here.
Is it possible to pause your KSK when you get a full time job?
I have one with a six month probation period and worry I’ll lose my KSK membership and then if I don’t keep my job have to apply again.
Hi C. Sorry it has taken me sooo long to get my blog comments up to date. I still have the book you sent me 🙂
Yes, you can pause your membership on KSK when you get a full-time job. They usually want to know whether it’s temporary or permanent, and if/when you will return to freelance life. If it’s permanent, they’ll just stop your membership, but it would be easier to get back in again later down the track if something about your circumstances change.
I moved to Germany two years ago under an Irish passport. I am an artist and have been exhibiting my work regularly at galleries, project spaces and museums over the last 20 years. Last year I quit my job teaching art online at an American university, and am now working solely as an artist. This year I received two artist grants this year totaling $45000. I also turned 55 in March. Am I still eligible for KSK?
55 is the age limit to be accepted into the public health insurance system. But, if accepted, you can still be a member of the KSK for the pension only.
Hello, I wanted to ask if you are able to tell me if the KsK accepts models into their system? I have heard in the past that they didn’t accept this profession. Thank you, Maja
It’s not on the list of artistic professions, and experience reveals that models do have difficulty getting in, but that doesn’t mean it’s a definite no. It really is assessed on a case-by-case basis. This article has some interesting insights.
Hi Kathleen,
I am an interior and still life photographer, and interior and product stylist. I have just now started to work as a freelancer. One of my clients (with whom I work as a set stylist) is a big e-commerce, internationally known. Besides this, I worked as an interior photographer for an Inmobiliaria with sort of clear guidelines, and as an interior photographer for a big co-working that relied also in my art direction and creative/artistic eye to provide them with new images of their spaces.
Since I read everywhere how hard it is to get into Ksk, I wonder if this is enough to be considered artistic.
I cannot provide the results of my styling work (company policy), but I do have the invoices and payments as a stylist to my agency.
Thanks so much!
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for all the great info. I’ve been a KSK member since last year as a composer and music producer. I was recently offered a mini job by a client I usually work freelance for. They want to retain my services more regularly to mix some concert videos they produce. First am I allowed to accept a mini job as a freelancer? It would still be in line with my artistic work and would be way less than what I make from my normal freelance activities. And do I need to inform the KSK first if do this? Thank you!
Minijob is fine – you don’t even have to inform the KSK, and it’s also OK if it’s not relevant to your field of work. Go forth and minijob!
Hi there,
Thank you for your very helpful tips!
I have recently moved to Germany (one year ago) and I have a contemporary free-lance dancer and performers for over 12 years. I have sent KSK extensive proof of my activity and all BUT I don’t have any freelance activity in Germany. I live here, pay taxes here, am officially registered and all, but my all freelance activity is abroad (in the EU).
Am I still eligible for KSK?
Thank you so much!
M
To be a member of the Künstlersozialkasse here, you have to have some work activity in Germany. If you are doing at least some work in Germany, then the decision as to whether you can get in is much more complicated and depends on where you live and how much time you spend in each country doing work. It’s complex. But if none of your work is in Germany at all, then that’s easier to answer – “no”.
Hello
I want to quit KSK. are there any financial implications for doing so? i mean like a penalty for quitting. cant find anything over the inetrnet
You might not have a choice, if your circumstances haven’t changed, then you’re obligated to pay into the state pension as an artist and the KSK is the most affordable way to do so. If your circumstances have changed so that you’re not really working as an artist anymore, or your other activities have become your main focus, you can let the KSK know about these circumstances and they’ll decide what to do with your membership next. The biggest financial implication is that you’ll have to pay your health insurance and pension contributions (the latter is non-negotiable if you’re an artist) out of pocket, and that’s a huge monthly expense without the KSK.