Under certain conditions, you can voluntarily enroll in unemployment insurance. This means you can receive unemployment benefits if you become unemployed at a later date.

You are eligible for coverage if you

• are self-employed for at least 15 hours per week, or
• are employed abroad—outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland—for at least 15 hours per week, or
• are on parental leave caring for a child over 3 years old, or
• are pursuing continuing professional education and, as a result,
  • advance your career, or
  • obtain a professional degree, or
  • are able to engage in another professional activity.

The monthly contribution in 2026 will be

• 102.83 EUR for self-employed individuals
  • In the first year of your self-employment and in the following calendar year, you pay only half of the contribution, or 51.42 EUR.
• 102.83 EUR for workers employed abroad
• 51.42 EUR for people on parental leave and for people in vocational training.

You pay the monthly insurance premium to the Federal Employment Agency.

Voluntary unemployment insurance is not available in the following cases:

• If you are employed abroad, you may not be working temporarily for a foreign company on behalf of your German employer. Otherwise, you would continue to be subject to German social security regulations.
• If, in addition to your current job, you are employed in another European country, the social security laws of that country apply.

If you terminate your self-employment or employment abroad and take advantage of voluntary unemployment insurance, you must demonstrate that you are making a genuine effort to find work again as soon as possible.