Asylum seekers who work and then lose their jobs face a major financial risk. The reason for this is the „mandatory follow-up insurance” in the health insurance system. This means that in many cases, former employees have to pay for their health insurance entirely themselves after their job ends. This was confirmed by the Tübingen District Office in response to an inquiry from tuenews INTERNATIONAL.
Of the €397 that an asylum seeker receives in shared accommodation, around €230 goes toward health insurance. In the district of Tübingen, this affected a total of 15 people at the end of 2024. If they do not find a job quickly, they may accumulate high debts. The Federal Social Court confirmed this regulation in 2022.
The background to this is a provision in the Social Security Code that has been in place since 2013 to prevent people from falling out of the statutory health insurance system and having to pay for doctors and hospitals themselves. In the case of asylum seekers, however, the good intention has backfired. But the district administration cannot simply take over the contributions. According to the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Justice and Migration, this would be illegal. The situation is different in Rhineland-Palatinate. There, the social welfare authorities cover the costs of the contributions.
It is therefore important for asylum seekers who have found a job to keep it. If they have been employed for at least 12 months in the last 30 months and have paid social security contributions, they will receive unemployment benefits if they lose their job. They are then automatically covered by health insurance. As a general rule, anyone who loses their job or wants to resign should ask their health insurance provider exactly what they need to do to retain their insurance coverage.
The Refugee Council of Baden-Württemberg advises all asylum seekers affected to take legal action against the regulation. According to the Tübingen District Office, there have only been a few lawsuits seeking preliminary injunctive relief so far. However, the court did not see any urgency. No decision has been made yet. The deadline for filing a lawsuit is still open in all cases.
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