Understand the German healthcare system with our guide on health insurance for international students. Explore the differences between private and public health insurance, discover options for student health insurance, and find tailored coverage for foreign students. Dive into our comprehensive guide now for a thorough understanding of health insurance options for international students in Germany.
Key takeaways
Everyone residing in Germany must have adequate health insurance. The same goes for if you plan to study in Germany. You must have valid health insurance from a German insurer.
International students can choose between public and private health insurance in Germany.
Students aged 30 or older do not get discounted student health insurance from public insurers. They can take the standard public health insurance in Germany. It costs 222 € per month.
Foreign students in preparatory or language courses cannot take public health insurance. The only option is to get private student health insurance.
Germany recognizes the health insurance policy of students from EU member states. If your insurance policy is recognized in Germany, you need the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Your health insurer can issue the EHIC card. You'll also need an insurance certificate from a German insurer stating that you are exempt from German health insurance.
Students cannot change from private to public health insurance during their studies.
This is how you do it
Students from EU member states should check if their home country's health insurance is recognized in Germany.
Foreign students from other countries must choose between public and private health insurance. For most international students, public health insurance is the best choice.
You can get public health insurance from one of the public insurers in Germany.
Students not eligible for public health insurance can apply for private health insurance on comparison Check24*.
Table of Contents
Why do international students need health insurance in Germany?
How much does international student health insurance cost in Germany?
Private or Statutory Health Insurance for Foreign Students Who are 30 or Older
Private health insurance for international students in Germany
Public health insurance for international students in Germany
Difference Between Student Travel Insurance vs Student Health Insurance
Do I need to terminate my health insurance contract before leaving Germany?
Health insurance for foreign students in Germany
Every individual living in Germany must have health insurance. You must have travel health insurance before flying to Germany.
However, you must get public health insurance or private health insurance once you arrive in Germany.
We recommend international students take public health insurance for the following reasons.
Student statutory and private health insurance premiums are almost the same.
You can change from public to private health insurance anytime. However, moving from private insurance to public health insurance is not possible. You can return to public insurance in certain circumstances only.
Not all private health insurance plans are better than public health insurance. Moreover, good private health insurance policies are expensive.
Public Student Health Insurance in Germany
Get public health insurance in Germany from one of the four insurers.
Complete the application process in English.
Public insurance is the best choice for most foreign students studying in Germany.
Why do international students need health insurance in Germany?
As per the German law, every resident in Germany must have health insurance.
Health insurance is a prerequisite to getting a visa/resident card in Germany.
German universities require international students to have German health insurance.
Medical services in Germany could be very expensive without a health insurance card. Health insurance covers medical costs like doctor's fees, medicines, hospital charges, etc.
Students from EU member states can usually use their home country's public health insurance in Germany. Moreover, some private health insurance companies of EU member states also cover you in Germany.
But if you work as a student in Germany, you must have German health insurance. More on it later in this guide.
How much does international student health insurance cost in Germany?
The cost of student health insurance in Germany depends on your age.
Students age (Single and no children) | Student Statutory Health Insurance Cost | Private Health Insurance Cost |
Under the age of 23 | 120.34 € per month | Private insurers don't offer any special discounted student health insurance. However, they offer health insurance at competitive prices. You can compare private health insurance on the comparison portal Check24*. 90 to 130 € per month |
From 23 to 29 | 125.21 € per month | 90 to 130 € per month |
30 or older | No longer eligible for the discounted student price. 222 € per month | 160 to 250 € per month |
Private or Statutory Health Insurance for Foreign Students Who are 30 or Older
Only statutory health insurance providers offer discounted student health insurance. But they offer it to students who are up to 29 years old.
If you have a public health insurance plan, you'll pay a reduced insurance premium until the end of the semester in which you turn 30. After that, the compulsory statutory health insurance ends.
So, you'll have two options.
Voluntarily take out statutory insurance.
Switch to private insurance policy.
Private health insurance is not automatically better than public insurance. You must weigh the pros and cons of both before choosing one.
Moreover, you must consider the long-term view while deciding which type of health insurance to take. For example, are you planning to settle in Germany, or are you here only for studies? Would you like to have a family in the future, etc.?
Students planning to settle in Germany after their studies should get public health insurance. Similarly, statutory health insurance is the right choice if you plan to have a family and kids in Germany.
The reason is private insurance doesn't cover your spouse and children for free. On the other hand, public insurance does.
But you can consider taking cheap private health insurance if you are only in Germany for a few months or years.
NOTE: You must be aware that taking private health insurance in Germany is a lifelong decision. You cannot switch from private to pubic health insurance during your studies. You can learn more about it in our guide on "is private health insurance the right choice for expats".
Married students whose spouses and children come with them to Germany must take separate health insurance for their families.
German Healthcare System
Private health insurance for international students in Germany
German law doesn't regulate private student health insurance premiums. Private insurance providers decide the premium based on your age and health.
Many private health insurers claim they are better than public insurance. But that's not always the case. Hence, you must check the terms and conditions before you take out insurance.
Good private health insurance schemes are usually more expensive than those that offer basic services.
While taking out private insurance, you can select the deductible. A deductible is the amount you pay when you get medical treatment. The insurance company covers the amount left after you pay the deductible. The lower the deductible, the higher the monthly premium.
Students must decide on their health insurance at the start of their university studies.
Once you take private health insurance, you cannot switch to public health insurance during your studies.
Can you switch from private to public health insurance after your studies?
You can switch from private to public health insurance when you get full-time employment for the first time after graduation. But you cannot return to the statutory health insurance system if you become self-employed immediately after graduating.
How can foreign students get private health insurance in Germany?
You can compare and apply for private student health insurance on the comparison portal Check24*. Here is the step-by-step guide on how to apply.
Select the additional services you want on top of basic health insurance coverage. If you don't need any additional services, click on "Start Angebot anforden."
Enter the deductible amount (Selbstbeteiligung). The lower the deductible, the higher the insurance premium. So, check how high deductible suits you.
Sickness benefit per day (Krankentagegeld pro Tag): How much should private health insurance pay you each day if you lose your job due to long-term illness? But as you are a student, it doesn't apply. So, leave it as is.
Daily hospital allowance per day (Krankenhaustagegeld pro Tag): It's an allowance you get for each day you stay in the hospital. But you don't need it, as private health insurance usually covers all the hospital bills. And the probability of you staying in the hospital for a long time is low.
From which day (ab welchem Tag?): When should you start receiving the daily hospital allowance? Leave it as is.
You can select if you want to be treated by a chief or a normal doctor. Most private health insurance schemes include treatment from a specialist / chief doctor. So, it doesn't matter which option you select.
In which room would you like to stay if you are hospitalized? Single-bed rooms or rooms with multiple beds. If no single-bed rooms are available in the hospital, you will stay in a room with multiple beds. The private insurance premium is higher for single-bed rooms.
Enter your family details. Are you single or married, and what is the number of kids?
Select "Student" in the employment status (Berufsstand), even if you work part-time.
Select "No (Nein)" in the minimum gross annual income (Mindestverdienst p.a.). Assuming you don't earn more than 66,600 € per annum.
Enter your date of birth here.
Enter your personal details like name, address, email, etc.
Finally, submit the form.
You'll receive an email from Check24* with further details.
Check24 / Tarifcheck: Compare Private Student Health Insurance
Compare offers and prices.
Comparison calculator to find suitable student health insurance policies.
Compare the insurance providers and their ratings.
Public health insurance for international students in Germany
Public health insurance is the way to go for students. Moreover, 88% of the employed population in Germany have public health insurance.
You can take public insurance from any of the public health insurance companies in Germany.
The government regulates public health insurance providers.
You'll receive a health insurance card once accepted into the public health insurance system. You can use the insurance card to get most medical services in Germany without paying a cent.
You can switch your public health insurance provider any time you want.
You can also change from a public to a private health insurer anytime.
Who Is Eligible for Public Student Health Insurance in Germany?
Everyone under 30 years old is eligible for public health insurance for students. Students over 30 can no longer get discounted public student health insurance.
But you can still take standard public health insurance. For standard public insurance, you pay more than the student premium.
The premium for students over 30 is around 222 € per month as of 2023.
How can you get public student health insurance in Germany?
There are two ways to get public student insurance in Germany.
Get it directly from the public health insurance company.
Get the student health care insurance via a broker.
Insurance broker "Feather" offers services in English. Hence, this makes the complete application process easy for foreign students.
Moreover, "Feather" offers their services for free.
Here are the four major public health insurers in Germany.
Different types of student health insurance in Germany
Health insurance for students from EU member states
The statutory health insurance of students from other EU member states is also valid in Germany. But you must get your insurance policy recognized by a statutory health insurer in Germany.
The public insurance provider in your home country can tell you more about it. You'll also need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) that your insurance provider can issue.
Even the private health insurers from other EU member states are recognized in Germany. But you cannot switch to a statutory health insurance provider in this case.
NOTE: You need to obtain a certificate if the student insurance from your home country is recognized in Germany. The certificate confirms that you are exempt from taking statutory health insurance in Germany. You can get this certificate from the public health insurers in Germany.
You need the certificate to enroll in a university in Germany.
Health insurance for preparatory course students in Germany
Students coming to Germany to attend preparatory courses cannot insure themselves with a statutory health insurance company. But German law still requires proof of health insurance.
Thus, the only choice for preparatory course students is to get private health insurance.
You can compare and apply for private student health insurance on the comparison portal Check24*.
NOTE: Students with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) might only need travel health insurance. You should check with the international office of your university for more details.
What is a preparatory course in Germany?
Some German universities don't recognize the schooling certificate from your home country. Thus, the university requires you to attend a preparatory course to assess your skills.
The course is usually two semesters long and ends with an exam. Once you successfully finish the course, you can enroll at your university.
Health insurance for language students in Germany
German health insurance system treats the language students like the preparatory students. It means you cannot get student insurance from a statutory health insurance provider in Germany. So, the only choice is private health insurance.
Your EHIC card is usually enough if your course lasts only a semester. But always confirm it with your home country's or German health insurer.
You can compare and apply for private student health insurance on the comparison portal Check24*.
Health insurance for exchange students in Germany
Exchange students or Erasmus students can take statutory health insurance in Germany. It is because the exchange students are part of a university degree.
EHIC card usually works in Germany for Erasmus students. But confirm it with the German health insurer.
Health insurance for PhD students in Germany
Working PhD students
You are automatically insured by compulsory public health insurance if you work in Germany. Assuming that you earn less than 66,600 € gross per annum.
PhD students working in Germany don't get discounted student health insurance.
Non-working PhD students
PhD students under 30 can get discounted public student health insurance.
PhD students aged 30 or older cannot take discounted student health insurance. They can take private or standard public insurance (without a student discount).
You can take public health insurance from TK*. TK is one of the biggest public insurers in Germany.
Health insurance for DAAD-scholarship holders
Your DAAD scholarship already includes health insurance accepted in Germany. Here is what the DAAD official website says.
The DAAD offers combined health, accident, and personal liability insurance for trainees, students and academics - as well as their partners and children - who come to Germany. DAAD scholarship holders receive this insurance automatically.
Health insurance for international students working part-time
Foreign students working part-time alongside their studies can still enjoy discounted student insurance. The condition is the working hours should not exceed 20hrs per week.
If you work more than 20 hrs per week, you are no longer eligible for the student insurance. In this case, you must inform your health insurance provider.
Discounted student insurance is relevant if you want public health insurance. To private health insurers, it doesn't matter if you are a student or not. Private health insurance premium depends on your age and health.
FAQs
Difference Between Student Travel Insurance vs Student Health Insurance
You must show valid health insurance while applying for a German travel visa in your home country. Unfortunately, you must be in Germany to get German health insurance. Thus, getting travel health insurance is the only option to obtain a visa.
Travel health insurance covers you till you get student health insurance in Germany.
Is healthcare free for students in Germany?
No, healthcare is not free for students in Germany. Students under 30 get discounted health insurance. But they still pay 120 € to 125 € per month as an insurance premium.
Students who are 30 or older don't get the student discount. They must get standard health insurance from private or public insurers.
Do I need to terminate my health insurance contract before leaving Germany?
Yes, you must terminate your health insurance contract before leaving Germany. You can call your health insurer's hotline and ask for the process.
Usually, you must request the contract cancellation in writing. You can also submit a cancellation form on their website.