throwaway9283i

I might be wrong, but they only have to take one if you are below a certain age _and_ below the border income (Beitragsbemessungsgrenze). Always be careful w.r.t. these kinds of decisions because they could cost you an awful amount of money later.

Without being able to contribute to your question: in hindsight of Brexit (UK will leave the EU) this might not be possible (as easy?) as in the past anymore.

A lot of people in IT knowing how to negotiate well will probably cross the border. I would, at least.

I agree it doesn't make sense from a financial perspective generally but it does depending on your health records/situation. I, for example, have a chronic disease which implicates monthly medication which is crazy expensive. I could enter a private insurance (because I have a Anwartschaft, thank god I kept this from since forever) but the monthly rate will drive to insane amounts when I'm getting older and/or adding the fact of kids (Familienversicherung).

Going back to public insurance after being in private insurance is highly problematic and probably even impossible without playing grey-zone games if you don't want to lower your salary dramatically below the income border for multiple years.

Disclaimer: my knowledge is based on internet research, I am not an expert on this and might be wrong.

Depending on your health records, staying voluntarily in the public insurance is the best thing you can do.

Which are the "popular services" you are referring to? Can you elaborate?

In my current specific situation there are no coworkers from Germany.

I didn't even know that a US-based company can give me a German contract. Do you know the specifics how the stuff got deducted automatically (except the taxes)?

Can you go more into detail regarding the tax stuff? Who pays the VAT then?

Probably from me. It wouldn't even be a problem for me. I even would pay all of this upfront so there is no hassle five years later.

This sounds genius! Never heard of that. Will definitely look into it. Thanks a ton!

Someone else will make huge money only because bogus laws in Germany which probably won't be fixed even in the year 2100.

Anyway, I really like the idea and it sounds totally hassle-free. I will contact them and ask. Should I give you as a referral? Maybe you get a check if it works out for me.

Done, thanks for your help :)

When did they close that loophole?

I don't think that my employer would do so only for me (given that I don't even have an employer right now, I'm just speaking generally here). But I agree this would indeed be the best option.

Is there a way that I can pay the social security fees from day one on my own to completely avoid all hassle and possible back-payments after a Prüfung (audit)?

I do not want to save any money in taxes, health insurance, social insurance or pension fund. I am actually happy to pay all this. Nevertheless I heard horror stories even by doing so you are at risk they will f..k you anyway after a Prüfung (audit) within the first five years or so.

I even want to stay in the public health insurance (freiwillig gesetzlich versichert). I actually do not want to benefit from being self employed. I just want to make it legal.

Done, thanks for your help :)

Thanks to let me know the additional conditions. As an employee I wouldn't be able to control that.