More and more people are deciding to leave Germany permanently or to spend long periods abroad—whether traveling in a camper van, living as digital nomads, or going on a round-the-world trip. Anyone who officially deregisters from Germany and no longer has a permanent residence should be aware of the legal and practical consequences. Two particularly important topics are health insurance and the Artists’ Social Security Fund (Künstlersozialkasse, KSK).
Deregistering from Germany – What Does This Mean for Me?
When you deregister with the residents’ registration office, your obligation to be registered in Germany ends. Without a registered place of residence, you are no longer considered resident in Germany. This has consequences for your tax liability, but especially for your membership in certain social security systems and your health insurance.
So if you deregister from Germany, there are a few important things you should keep in mind.
Health Insurance After Deregistration
In Germany, there is a general obligation to have health insurance (§ 193 VVG). However, this obligation only applies to people who have a residence in Germany. After deregistration, compulsory membership in a statutory or private German health insurance scheme usually ends.
Specifically, this means:
Statutory Health Insurance (GKV)
Once you deregister from Germany, your membership ends automatically. If you later return to Germany, you have the right to rejoin the statutory health insurance system if you were previously insured under it.
Private Health Insurance (PKV)
A German private health insurance policy usually cannot continue without a permanent residence. Many insurers terminate contracts because the risk abroad is not covered.
Travel Health Insurance
For long-term travelers or people without a permanent residence, international travel health insurance is a common solution. However, it does not replace mandatory German health insurance.
The Solution: An Insurance “Holding” Policy (Anwartschaft)
Anyone planning to return to Germany can take out an Anwartschaft with their former statutory or private health insurer. This “freezes” the right to resume membership later.
Advantages of such a holding policy include:
- No new medical examination is required upon return.
- In statutory insurance, previous insurance periods are preserved.
- In private insurance, you keep your existing tariff and health status.
What If I Am a Member of the Artists’ Social Security Fund (KSK) Without a Residence in Germany?
The KSK is a special system that integrates self-employed artists and journalists into the German social security system. It covers half of the contributions to health, long-term care, and pension insurance—similar to an employer.
a) Requirements for Membership
- Self-employed artistic or journalistic work on more than a minor scale (generally at least €3,900 annual income).
- Residence or habitual place of stay in Germany.
- Activities must be carried out predominantly in Germany or aimed at German clients.
What Happens to Your KSK Membership If You Deregister from Germany?
Anyone who no longer has a residence or habitual place of stay in Germany generally loses their KSK membership. Continued membership is only possible in exceptional cases, for example if:
- Your center of life remains in Germany (e.g. cross-border commuters), or
- Your artistic income comes exclusively from Germany and is taxable there.
A permanent world trip or living without a fixed residence usually does not meet these conditions.
Aftereffects and Contribution Records
As soon as you no longer have a residence in Germany, you must inform the KSK.
Any pension contributions paid up to that point remain valid, but they will only affect your pension later.
Unlike health insurance, there is no holding policy (Anwartschaft) in the KSK—the membership ends permanently.
Returning to Germany
If you return to Germany and resume artistic or journalistic work, you must submit a new application for admission to the KSK.
Previous membership periods are taken into account so that your pension insurance record continues without gaps.
Practical Tips for Globetrotters and Nomads
- Check before deregistering: Which insurance solution makes sense abroad? International health insurance policies are more expensive but cover long-term stays.
- Secure a holding policy: If you expect to return, arrange an Anwartschaft with your statutory or private insurer.
- KSK membership: Without a residence in Germany, it almost always ends—plan alternatives in advance.
- Social security: Consider whether voluntary contributions to the German pension insurance make sense to avoid gaps.
- Get professional advice: Both health insurers and the KSK assess cases individually, depending on destination, duration of stay, and source of income.
Conclusion
Deregistering from Germany offers freedom, but it also comes with responsibilities and risks. Health insurance and the Artists’ Social Security Fund in particular require careful planning.
Without a residence, the obligation to have German health insurance no longer applies, but a holding policy can make returning easier.
In the KSK, membership without a German residence is generally not possible—alternatives should be explored early.
Tip: Anyone planning long-term travel or a life without a permanent residence should seek personal advice early on from their health insurer, the KSK, or a specialized insurance advisor.