As a self-employed artist or journalist, you may have to take out insurance through the Künstlersozialkasse (KSK).
If necessary, you can contact the KSK. The KSK

• informs you about the insurance in the statutory health, nursing care and pension insurance,
• informs you about your rights and obligations in connection with insurance and
• advises you on registration.

In addition, the KSK will advise you on request on the following topics, among others:

• Is the artists' social insurance a compulsory insurance?
• How can you insure yourself through the KSK?
• What requirements do you have to meet?
• Are you a self-employed artist or journalist?
• How high are the contributions and costs?
• What benefits does the KSK provide?
• What are the advantages of the KSK?
• Are there special regulations for newcomers to the profession?
• Can you have another self-employed activity or dependent employment on the side?
• When can you insure yourself as a student via the KSK?
• Can you choose private health insurance?
• When and how can you register with the KSK?

Self-employed artists or journalists only have to pay half of their contributions themselves. A federal subsidy as well as the artists' social security contribution of the companies finance the other half of the contributions.