Hi

I know that one can pay unemployment contributions out of one's own will to government while working as freelancer so that he is secured for unemployment . Is something like this offered by private insurance companies as well ?

Aby

AFAIK - No

But a good article about the government ALV below

http://www.zeit.de/karriere/beruf/2011-01/faq-freiwillige-arbeitslosenversicherung

Thanks Raj .
Some doubt came up after reading this .The articele tells about registering yourself as a freelacer with arbeitsamt as far as i unedrstood but i have not done that . I am workig as contractor for a company 'A' who is getiing paid by another company 'B' on whose project i work .
I raise invoice to company 'A'. Am i doing something wrong? Is this not 100% freeelancing?

Aby.

Of course it is freelancing and there is no problem in it. But be careful if you have only one customer for a very long time, then it will be considered scheinselbständig and you may have to pay rentenversicherung to the government. Invest money for a good steuerberater as you may have to deal with lots of paperwork for everything

Thanks Raj.
What period categorizes as long ..2,3 or more years ?

Aby

if your hourly rate is high and work in IT, most probably you can escape scrutiny. But i heard that it is around 3 years.

I raise invoice to company 'A'. Am i doing something wrong? Is this not 100% freeelancing?
- As long as you have registered yourself
in finanzamt as freelancer and have your umsatzsteur nummer - it is 100% freelancing.

What period categorizes as long ..2,3 or more years ?
As long as i know it is 2 years for IT freelancers.

Better to ask steuerberater at first place.