How to Cancel Health Insurance in Germany – GKV and PKV Explained

Whether you're leaving Germany, switching jobs, or changing your insurance type – canceling your German health insurance isn’t as simple as sending an email. There are different rules depending on whether you're in public (GKV) or private (PKV) insurance. In this guide, we’ll explain how to cancel your insurance properly, what reasons are accepted, and what to watch out for.

First: You Can’t Be Uninsured in Germany

Germany has a legal health insurance requirement. That means you must always be covered – either by public (GKV), private (PKV), or a valid international plan. You can’t simply cancel and go without insurance while living in Germany.

So: you can only cancel your health insurance if you have a valid reason – and in most cases, proof of new coverage.

Common Reasons for Cancelling Health Insurance in Germany

Here are the most common and accepted reasons for cancellation:

How to Cancel Public Health Insurance (GKV)

Accepted Cancellation Scenarios:

• You move abroad and deregister your German address
• You switch to a private health insurance plan (PKV)
• You start working for a foreign employer abroad
• You start receiving unemployment benefits (ALG I or II) – the job agency will enroll you
• You end your studies and leave Germany

How to Cancel:

1. Notify your insurer in writing (by post or email, depending on the provider)
2. Provide proof of new insurance or departure (e.g. Abmeldung, new policy)
3. Observe the 2-month notice period, unless the change is immediate (e.g. job loss)

💡 Example: If you’re switching to PKV, your new insurer will usually send a formal cancellation request to your GKV on your behalf.

How to Cancel Private Health Insurance (PKV)

Accepted Cancellation Scenarios:

• You leave Germany permanently
• You become employed below the JAEG threshold and are legally required to switch to GKV
• You become unemployed and receive ALG I/II
• You’re a student and switch back to GKV within allowed time
• You switch to another private provider (with proper notice)

How to Cancel:

1. Send a written cancellation notice to your PKV provider (registered mail is best)
2. Attach proof of:
   • New public insurance coverage (GKV membership certificate), or
   • Deregistration from Germany (Abmeldebestätigung)

1. Observe your contractual cancellation period, usually:

• 3 months to the end of the insurance year, or
• 1 month if you have a right to extraordinary cancellation (e.g. new legal obligation to switch)

💡 Important: PKV providers will not cancel your policy without proof of follow-up coverage. If you just stop paying, they’ll still bill you and possibly pursue legal claims.

Special Case: Moving Abroad

This is one of the few situations where you can fully cancel your German insurance without needing new German coverage.

To do this, you must:

• Submit an Abmeldebescheinigung (deregistration form from your local Bürgeramt)
• Provide proof of foreign insurance, if applicable

Once accepted, your insurance will usually end at the end of the month of deregistration.
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What Happens After Cancellation?

• GKV: You’ll receive a confirmation letter and possibly a certificate (“Mitgliedsbescheinigung”) for your new insurer
• PKV: You’ll get a final cancellation confirmation and possibly a refund for overpaid premiums

⚠️ Make sure to keep all documents. If you return to Germany later, you may need to show past insurance history.