Cancelling Health Insurance
You can't just stop paying — German health insurance requires a proper cancellation with proof you're leaving. Here's how to do it cleanly.
How cancellation works when leaving Germany
German health insurance (public or private) can't be cancelled just because you want to stop paying. You need a qualifying reason — and leaving Germany permanently is one of the strongest reasons.
The key principle: Your insurance ends when your obligation to be insured in Germany ends. That happens when you leave and are no longer a German resident.
📋 What you need to provide:
• Abmeldebestätigung (deregistration certificate) — this is the primary proof
• OR proof of new health insurance coverage abroad
• OR proof of EHIC coverage in your EU home country (for EU citizens)
The cancellation is effective from your Abmeldung date (departure date), not from when you send the letter. If you deregister on March 15, your insurance coverage and premium obligation both end on March 15 — even if the paperwork takes longer.
Any premiums you've overpaid (e.g., you paid a full month but left mid-month) will be refunded to your bank account.
Important
Start the cancellation process before you close your bank account. Your insurer may need to refund overpaid premiums, and that's much easier with an active German bank account.
Write the cancellation letter
Contact your Krankenkasse in writing. Most accept email, but a formal letter or their online portal is more reliable.
📝 Template for public health insurance (TK, AOK, etc.):
"Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren,
hiermit kündige ich meine Mitgliedschaft bei der [Name der Krankenkasse] zum [Abmeldedatum].
Grund: Ich verlasse Deutschland dauerhaft am [Datum] und bin ab diesem Zeitpunkt nicht mehr in Deutschland meldepflichtig.
Anbei finden Sie meine Abmeldebestätigung.
Bitte senden Sie mir eine schriftliche Bestätigung der Beendigung meiner Mitgliedschaft an folgende Adresse:
[Neue Adresse im Ausland]
Meine Versichertendaten:
Name: [Vollständiger Name]
Versichertennummer: [Nummer auf Ihrer Gesundheitskarte]
Geburtsdatum: [Datum]
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
[Unterschrift]
[Name]"
(Translation: I hereby cancel my membership effective [deregistration date]. Reason: I am permanently leaving Germany on [date]. Please find my deregistration certificate attached. Please send written confirmation to my new address abroad.)
Attach:
• Abmeldebestätigung (or proof of new insurance abroad)
• Copy of your Gesundheitskarte (health card) — some insurers ask you to return the physical card
Send via: the insurer's online portal (if available), email, or registered mail (Einschreiben).
Private insurance and other policies
If you have private health insurance: check your specific contract terms. Private insurance cancellation often has different rules:
🔒 Private health insurance (PKV):
• May have minimum contract periods (often 1–2 years)
• Cancellation notice periods vary (usually 3 months to end of insurance year)
• Leaving Germany permanently is generally accepted as a special cancellation reason (Sonderkündigungsrecht) that overrides normal notice periods
• Submit the same documents: Abmeldebestätigung + cancellation letter
• Request written confirmation
🛡️ Liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung):
• Cancel separately — it doesn't end automatically
• Write a similar letter to your insurer
• Usually cancellable with 1–3 months notice, or immediately with an Abmeldebestätigung as proof of special circumstances
⚖️ Legal insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung):
• Same process — cancel in writing
• Check if you have any open legal matters that the insurance should cover
📱 Device insurance, travel insurance, etc.:
• Cancel each one individually
• Check if you're still within the Widerrufsfrist (cooling-off period) for recently purchased policies
General tip: Make a list of every insurance policy you hold in Germany. Go through each one and either cancel or confirm it ends with your departure.
Was this guide helpful?