KSK Contribution Calculator 2026
How Much Does the Künstlersozialkasse Cost?
Calculate your monthly KSK contribution for health, nursing care, and pension insurance. The KSK covers the other half of your social insurance contributions, similar to an employer.
Business revenue minus business expenses
Your Monthly KSK Contribution
Health Insurance
Nursing Care Insurance
Pension Insurance
Average supplementary contribution 2.9% (2026). All figures without guarantee.
HOW THE KSK WORKS
The Künstlersozialkasse Explained
The Künstlersozialkasse (KSK) is not a health insurer or benefits provider. It works like a virtual employer for freelance artists and publicists. Through the KSK, insured members pay only half of their statutory health, nursing care, and pension insurance contributions. The other half is funded by a federal subsidy and the Künstlersozialabgabe, a levy paid by companies that commission artistic or publicist services.
Contributions are calculated as a percentage of your estimated annual working income. This corresponds to the profit from your artistic or publicist activity: business revenue minus business expenses. You estimate your income annually and report it to the KSK. The 2026 contribution rates are 18.6% for pension insurance, 14.6% plus the individual supplementary contribution for health insurance, and between 2.4% and 3.6% for nursing care insurance (your share), depending on the number of children. Members pay half of these rates. Learn more about our English-language KSK application support.
Who Can Become a Member?
Freelance artists and publicists who practice their profession commercially and not just temporarily. The minimum income threshold is 3,900 euros profit per year. Career starters are exempt from this limit for the first three years.
Which Professions Qualify?
Musicians, actors, visual artists, designers, photographers, authors, journalists, translators, editors, directors, dancers, copywriters, and many other creative and publicist professions. Teachers in these fields can also be accepted.
What Are the Benefits of KSK Membership?
You save around 50% on your social insurance contributions. At the same time, you build pension entitlements and enjoy full health insurance coverage. For many freelancers, this means savings of several hundred euros per month.
FAQ
Questions About KSK Contributions
How is the KSK contribution calculated?
The contribution is calculated from your estimated annual working income (profit). The contribution rates for health, nursing care, and pension insurance are each applied at half rate, as the KSK covers the other half like an employer. You report your income annually by December 1st for the following year.
What happens if I estimate my income incorrectly?
If your income situation changes during the year, you can report a corrected estimate to the KSK. Contributions will then be adjusted going forward. Retroactive corrections are not possible. About 5% of insured members are audited each year.
Do I have to join statutory health insurance as a KSK member?
Generally yes. KSK members are by default enrolled in mandatory statutory health and nursing care insurance. An exemption in favor of private health insurance is possible under certain conditions.
Can I influence my supplementary contribution?
The supplementary contribution is set individually by your statutory health insurer. In 2026, the average is 2.9%. By switching to a cheaper health insurer, you can lower this portion. The KSK also covers half of the supplementary contribution.
How much do I save with the KSK?
As a KSK member, you pay about half the contributions you would pay as a voluntarily insured self-employed person for health and nursing care insurance. You also build pension entitlements, which most self-employed people without the KSK do not. Use our calculator above for an individual calculation.
CONTRIBUTION RATES 2026
Current KSK Contribution Rates
The following contribution rates apply for 2026. As a KSK member, you only pay half. The other half is covered by the Künstlersozialkasse.
| Insurance | Total Rate | Your Share (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| Pension Insurance | 18.6% | 9.3% |
| Health Insurance | 14.6% + supplementary contribution | 7.3% + ½ supplementary contribution |
| Nursing Care Insurance (with children) | 3.6% | 1.8% |
| Nursing Care Insurance (childless) | 4.8% | 2.4% |
Source: Künstlersozialkasse, as of 2026. All figures without guarantee.
GET STARTED
KSK Application With Professional Support
Want to join the Künstlersozialkasse? We guide artists, publicists, and media professionals through the entire application process and advise on retirement planning.
info@bmkb.de030 – 9274 155Seddiner Str. 9, 10315 Berlin