If you were compulsorily insured in the GKV, membership generally continues during Elterngeld or Elternzeit. Without other contributory income, this is usually contribution-free. Income from part-time work can create contributions, and enrolled students normally continue paying the student contribution.
Voluntarily insured members normally continue paying contributions unless, for example, the conditions for contribution-free family insurance are met.
Private insurance normally continues with the full contractual premium. If the employer previously paid a subsidy, the insured person generally also bears that share during unpaid Elternzeit. Contractual relief varies, so check the actual tariff rather than assuming a special parental-leave rate.
With public insurance: Your child is usually covered under family insurance (Familienversicherung) at no extra cost. This is not automatic in every family: if one parent is privately insured, income and marital status can decide. The health insurer checks this for your situation.
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).
Reviewed 31 October 2026
In statutory health insurance (GKV), your baby is usually covered contribution-free through family insurance, but not automatically in every family (see mixed couples below). 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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