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Notifying statutory health insurance funds (GKV) of the insured’s death
What to do after death and how notification affects coverage and costs
When a person dies in Germany, official notification is not limited to the civil registry office (Standesamt). The statutory health insurance fund (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung – GKV) with which the person was insured must also be informed.
This step is not just bureaucratic formality; it helps protect the heirs and relatives from later financial and legal problems.
In this article, we explain what needs to be done when notifying the GKV of a death, how to terminate the insurance, the consequences of late notification, and how to deal with outstanding contributions and dependent family coverage.
1. Who is responsible for informing the health insurance fund?
In many cases, the death is reported automatically by the Standesamt if there is an electronic data exchange system in place between the registry office and the health insurance fund (for example with AOK or TK).
Nevertheless, it is strongly recommended that one of the heirs or a close family member:
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contact the health insurance fund directly
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and submit the death certificate (Sterbeurkunde)
to ensure that:
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the insurance contract is terminated
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and that contributions are stopped as of the date of death.
If the person dies outside Germany, the notification usually has to be made manually by the family.
2. What documents are required?
When notifying the GKV of a death, the following documents are typically requested:
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copy of the death certificate (Sterbeurkunde)
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health insurance number (Versichertennummer) of the deceased
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name and address of the person reporting the death
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sometimes: certificate of inheritance (Erbschein), if financial claims, refunds or other estate-related matters are involved
The notification can usually be submitted:
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by post
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by e-mail
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or in person at a local branch of the health insurance fund.
3. Does health insurance continue after death?
No.
Once the death has been verified, the health insurance fund will:
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terminate the deceased person’s membership in the GKV as of the date of death
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stop all premium and contribution payments from that date onward
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end any ongoing medical insurance coverage for the deceased
However:
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medical bills and costs incurred before the date of death remain covered
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reimbursement claims for treatment prior to death can still be submitted and processed within the applicable statutory deadlines
4. What about family members insured under the same policy?
If the deceased was the main policyholder (Hauptversicherter) and family members were covered through family insurance, the following typically applies:
| Situation | Result |
|---|---|
| Spouse is insured free of charge under family insurance (Familienversicherung) | They must apply for independent membership within 3 months |
| Children under 25 years of age | They can remain under family insurance via the other parent, if that parent is insured |
| No alternative main policyholder in the family | The family members must choose a health insurance fund and join as regular members |
Family insurance (Familienversicherung) free of charge ends automatically upon the death of the main policyholder.
5. How are bills, premiums and outstanding amounts handled?
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No further insurance premiums may be charged for periods after the date of death.
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If any contributions are debited after the death (for example via direct debit – Lastschrift), the heirs or the account holder may request reimbursement.
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Any unpaid contributions or outstanding premiums for periods before death are paid from the estate only, not from the heirs’ personal funds, unless they have accepted the estate in a way that includes responsibility for its debts.
6. Death benefits from the GKV – do they exist?
Statutory health insurance (GKV) has not paid a standard death grant (Sterbegeld) since 2004. Nevertheless:
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A few health insurance funds may, in rare exceptional cases, grant small lump-sum payments to help with funeral costs, subject to their internal statutes and specific conditions.
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The GKV can still cover costs for final treatment, hospital stays or care services provided shortly before death, depending on the case and medical documentation.
Actual funeral expenses are usually covered by private supplementary insurance policies (Zusatzversicherungen), not by the GKV.
Summary
Notifying the statutory health insurance fund (GKV) of the insured person’s death is a key step in avoiding:
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unjustified collection of contributions after the date of death
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problems with ongoing coverage for family members previously insured under family insurance
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delays in terminating the deceased’s membership or settling outstanding medical bills
For this reason, it is always advisable to contact the health insurance fund directly and submit the death certificate as soon as possible, even if other authorities have already been informed.
The editorial and writing team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of multiple sources. However, errors or uncertainties may still occur. Therefore, please treat the information presented here as an initial reference and always consult the relevant authorities, health insurance funds or professional advisers for binding, case-specific guidance.
