Free service contractors carry out their work largely independently. In terms of labour law, they can freely agree on arrangements. In terms of social insurance law, they are more or less equal to employees. Free service contractors are pension, health and accident insured. Since 2008, they have been entitled to monetary benefits from the health insurance provider (maternity allowance, sickness benefits) similar to employees. In 2008, free service contractors were also integrated in the unemployment insurance scheme and they are also protected against losses from insolvency.
However, free service contractors are not entitled to continued pay in the case of sickness, nor to a holiday bonus!