Register for social insurance for self-employed artists or journalists

You must register with the Künstlersozialkasse in writing or verbally:

• You can download the questionnaire for checking the insurance obligation for artists and publicists, completion instructions and information leaflets from the KSK website. Please fill it in and send it to the KSK.
• You will receive an unsolicited confirmation from the KSK that your documents have been received.
• If all insurance requirements are met, the KSK will issue a notice of assessment. The KSK will register you with the statutory health or long-term care insurance fund of your choice and with the data office of the pension insurance provider.
• Compulsory insurance under the Artists' Social Insurance Act begins on the day on which the application is received by the KSK. If you are unable to work at the time you register with the KSK, the obligation to take out insurance does not begin until you are able to work again.
• The insurance obligation ends on the day on which you give up your self-employed artistic or journalistic activity. You are therefore obliged to inform the KSK immediately of any change in your activities.

As a self-employed artist or publicist, you are generally insured if you

• exercise the artistic or journalistic activity on a commercial and not merely temporary basis and
• do not employ more than one employee in connection with the artistic or publishing activity. Exception: The employment is for vocational training or is marginal.

• Questionnaire for checking the insurance obligation for artists and publicists
• Proof of activity: current contracts with clients or statements of account, invoices and bank statements.
• Other supporting documents: advertising material, proof of artistic or journalistic training, certificate of membership in professional interest groups, photocopy of your identity card/passport with current confirmation of registration
• if you are already a member of a statutory health insurance fund: Certificate of membership from the health insurance fund. Otherwise, a provisional certificate from the chosen health insurance company
• if you are bringing up or have brought up a child:
  • Copy of your child's birth certificate
  • Proof of parental status

• Registration: none
• Monthly contribution: 50 percent share of statutory pension, health and long-term care insurance

As soon as you meet the requirements for admission to the KSK as a self-employed artist or publicist, you must submit the application.

Depending on the investigation effort: 3 to 6 months

• §§ Sections 1 to 9 of the Artists' Social Insurance Act (KSVG)
• § Section 10a of the Artists' Social Insurance Act (KSVG)
• § Section 11 of the Artists' Social Insurance Act (KSVG)
• § Section 12 of the Artists' Social Insurance Act (KSVG)

• completed online application or completed PDF form
• a copy of your identity card or passport, if applicable
• additionally a copy of your residence permit if you do not have German citizenship or citizenship of another country of the European Union
• If possible, current documents or proof of your self-employed artistic or journalistic activity, for example copies of your
  • commissions
  • contracts
  • invoices and
  • Proof of the corresponding payments
• Further documents about your self-employed activity, for example
  • Advertising material
  • Proof of publications
  • Documents on memberships in professional interest groups and
  • Documents about your professional qualifications
• If applicable, proof of parenthood, e.g. a copy of your child's birth certificate; the following applies: If you only have one or no children under the age of 25, the Artists' Social Security Fund only requires proof of one child, otherwise the Artists' Social Security Fund requires the birth certificates of all children.
• Which other documents you need to submit depends on your individual situation. Please note the relevant information in the online application or in the PDF form.

• You can insure an earlier entitlement to sickness benefit with your health insurance fund via an optional tariff. For further information, please contact your health insurance fund directly.
• If you regularly award contracts to other self-employed artists and publicists, you may also be obliged to pay social security contributions for artists under certain conditions.

11.07.2018