Health Insurance For International Students in Germany [2025 English Guide]

Key takeaways  

• International students need a valid student health insurance policy to study at a German university.
• Public health insurance providers in Germany offer discounted student health insurance policies. Students under 30 pay around 144.66€ per month (as of 2025).
• Students who are 30 or older when commencing their studies cannot get discounted student public health insurance. They must get standard public health insurance or private insurance.
• Foreign students in preparatory or language courses can only get private student health insurance.
• Germany recognizes the health insurance policy of students from EU member states.
• Students cannot change from private to public health insurance or vice versa 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 get a valid health insurance policy based on their eligibility.
• We find TK the best public health insurance provider for expats. Its website, mobile app, and customer service are in English. You can register with TK online.
• We recommend getting private health insurance via an insurance broker. They are experts and can help you find the best plan for your needs. You can book a call with an expert we recommend here.

Table of Contents

Is taking health insurance for foreign students mandatory in Germany?

Yes, student health insurance is mandatory for studying at a German university. You must have travel health insurance before flying to Germany. We find travel insurance from Dr. Walter* among the best.

However, you must get public or private health insurance once you arrive in Germany. You need a valid health insurance policy to get a visa/resident card in Germany.

Moreover, medical services in Germany are expensive. So, you need a good health insurance policy.

German 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.

How much does international student health insurance cost in Germany?

Public health insurance for students

You are eligible for the discounted student health insurance if you are under 30. If you are 30 or above, you can no longer access discounted student health insurance and must pay the regular premium.

The cost of public health insurance for students depends on your age and the number of children you have. The premium you pay is composed of three parts.

• General contributions (Krankenversicherung): It’s set by the government and is the same for everyone and every public insurance company. It’s 10.22% as of 2025.
• Additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag): It’s set independently by each public health insurance provider. The Germany-wide average is 2.5% (as of 2025).
• Long-term nursing care contribution (Pflegeversicherung): The government sets it, and it varies from 2.6% to 4.2% depending on your age and number of children (as of 2025).

The public health insurance companies calculate the premium using the BAföG rate set by the German government. It is 855€ from 1 Oct. 2024 and was 812€ until 30 Sep. 2024.

The table below shows the average public health insurance premium for students.

Students age (Single and no children)	Public Health Insurance Cost
Up to 29 years old	144.66€ per month (as of 2025)
30 or older	279.6€ per month (as of 2025) (assuming you earn below 1,248.33€ (as of 2025))

This is how the public health insurance premium for students is calculated.

	Percentage of your gross salary	Monthly premium (Age: under 30) (from 01.10.2024)	Monthly premium (Age: 30 or above) (from 01.10.2024)
BAföG rate for students (This is the rate used to calculate student health insurance premiums)		855 €	Student rate no longer applies. Premium depends on your income. The minimum income considered is 1248.33 €
General contribution	10.22%	87.38 €	127.58 € (10.22% of 1248.33)
Additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag)	2.5% (average)	21.37 €	31.21 €
Long-term nursing care	3.6% (with 1 child) 4.2% (no children)	30.78 € (with 1 child) 35.91 € (no children)	44.93 € (with 1 child) 52.43 € (no children)
Total monthly contribution	16.32% (with 1 child) 16.92% (without children)	139.53 € (with 1 child) 144.66 € (without children)	203.72 € (with 1 child) 211.21 € (without children)

NOTE: You can insure your non-working spouse and children for free in public health insurance.

Private health insurance for students

Private health insurance companies set their own premiums based on your age and services you opt for. You cannot insure your children or non-working spouse for free in private health insurance.

Students age (Single and no children)	Private Health Insurance Cost
Up to 29 years old	97 to 210 € per month
30 or older	150 to 350 € per month

You can also read our free book on German healthcare to get a better understanding.

Student health insurance eligibility criteria 

Under 30

Students who are under 30 before starting their studies must get a public health insurance policy. However, you can apply for an exemption from compulsory public health insurance.

However, you must apply for the exemption within three months of starting the course. The health insurance company considers the enrollment date to calculate the three months.

The legal basis for this is (Section 8, Paragraph 1, No. 5, in conjunction with Paragraph 2, Sentence 1 of the Social Code Book V).

NOTE: Once you enroll in health insurance, private or public, you cannot change it during your studies.

30 or above

Students who are 30 or above when starting their studies cannot be insured with statutory health insurance. They must get private health insurance.

However, they can switch to public health insurance within three months of course start.

Turn 30 during the course

Your compulsory student public health insurance ends when you turn 30 during the course. And you can switch your health insurance again.

You can continue to be insured voluntarily with public insurance or take out private health insurance.

On the other hand, if you have private health insurance before you turn 30, you can switch to public insurance.

We know German healthcare is complex and can confuse even the locals. This is why we recommend consulting an insurance broker for advice.

How can I get student health insurance in Germany?

You must first check for which health insurance you are eligible – private or public. You can apply for health insurance online directly with the provider or via insurance brokers.

How do you get student public health insurance in Germany?

Almost every statutory health insurance provider offers online applications. So, you can apply for the student health insurance policy online directly with the insurance provider.

We find TK the best public health insurance provider for expats. It offers its website, mobile app, and customer support in English.

You can register with TK online for free in 2 minutes using our “TK registration service.“

How do you get student private health insurance in Germany?

We recommend getting private health insurance via an insurance broker. They are experts and can help you find the best plan for your needs. You can book a call with an expert we recommend here.

Insurance brokers and advisors are liable for their advice. This means that if the insurance plan they recommended doesn’t fulfill your wishes, they are liable to pay the damages.

Insurance brokers offer free advice. The insurance company pays them upon the successful conclusion of the contract.

An insurance broker can also help you file a claim with the provider. The broker we recommend has been offering services to expats for more than a decade.

Private vs public health insurance for students in Germany

Private health insurance	Public health insurance
Private health insurance premium depends on your age and health.	Students under 30 get a discounted student health insurance policy that costs between 120 € and 125 €.
German law doesn’t regulate private student health insurance premiums.	German law regulates the premiums and services of public health insurance.
Private insurance members pay the medical bills themselves and get reimbursed by the insurance company.	Once accepted into the public health insurance system, you’ll receive a health insurance card. You can use the card to get most medical services in Germany without paying a cent.
Switching private health insurance providers is expensive as you lose part of your retirement provisions.	You can switch your public health insurance provider any time you want.
Comprehensive private health insurance offers better services than public insurance.

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.?

You can use our “Health Insurance Finder” tool to check which health insurance (Public or Private) makes sense and when. We recommend getting advice from a fee-based advisor or health insurance broker before deciding.

How do you terminate student health insurance when leaving Germany?

You must send a contract termination request in writing to your health insurance company. You can send the letter via a registered post or upload it on the insurer’s website.

You also need to provide proof that you are leaving Germany. The health insurer considers your plane ticket or de-registration certificate from the Rathaus as proof. You cannot cancel your health insurance policy without proof of leaving Germany.

Every public health insurance company has its contract cancellation letter that you can use. Here is the form from TK.

You can also use our sample letter to cancel a private health insurance contract.

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 health insurance policy recognized by a statutory health insurer in Germany.

You can go to any public health insurance provider in Germany and show them your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The German public health insurer will issue you a certificate stating that your home country’s health insurance is valid in Germany. You need this certificate to enroll in a university in Germany.

You can apply for the certificate via TK here.

You can get an EHIC card from your home country’s health insurance provider.

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. 

If the German public health insurer doesn’t recognize private insurance from your home country, you must get valid health insurance from Germany.

Health insurance for students from the UK

Students from the UK who don’t have access to an EHIC card can register for a global health insurance card at NHS.

If that doesn’t work, you must get public or private health insurance from Germany, depending on your eligibility criteria.

Health insurance for students from countries that signed a social security agreement with Germany

The following countries are not part of the EU. However, they have signed a social security agreement with the EU.

• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Macedonia
• Montenegro
• Serbia
• Turkey
• Tunisia

If you are a citizen of one of these countries, you must obtain an entitlement certificate (EESSI or AT-11) from your home country’s health insurer before coming to Germany.

You can show the entitlement certificate to any public health insurance company in Germany. The German public insurer will then issue a certificate stating that your home country’s health insurance is valid in Germany. You need this certificate to enroll in a German university.

You can use the TK online service to get this certificate.

Which health insurance can you get based on your course?

Here is an overview of which type of health insurance you can get based on the course you are enrolled in.

Course	Public health insurance	Private health insurance
Preparatory course	❌	✅
Language course	❌	✅
Exchange or Erasmus students	✅	✅
PhD students	✅	✅

You can also use our “Health Insurance Finder” tool to check which health insurance (Public or Private) makes sense and when.

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 students in preparatory courses is to get private health insurance. You can check student private health insurance from Feather* or Dr. Walter*.

Feather is an insurance agent, and Dr-Walter is an insurance broker. Don’t confuse them with insurance companies.

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. This 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.

Health insurance for exchange students in Germany

Exchange students or Erasmus students can take private or statutory health insurance in Germany. It is because the exchange students are part of a university degree.

Erasmus students can also check with a German health insurer if their EHIC card works in Germany.

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 the income threshold, i.e., 73,800€ (as of 2025).

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).

Health insurance for DAAD-scholarship holders

Your DAAD scholarship already includes health insurance that is accepted in Germany. Here is what the official website of DAAD 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 under 30 working part-time alongside their studies can still enjoy discounted student insurance. The condition is that the working hours should not exceed 20 hours per week.

If you work more than 20 hours per week, you are no longer eligible for 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.

Health insurance after the end of your studies

There can be four different scenarios after finishing your studies.

• You get a job
• You are unemployed
• You become self-employed
• You become a civil servant

You get a job after finishing your studies

• You had public health insurance during your studies: You’ll continue with the same coverage after you start working. You can switch to private health insurance if you earn above the income threshold.
• You had private health insurance during your studies: You can stay in private insurance if you earn above the income threshold, i.e., 73,800€ (as of 2025). Otherwise, you’ll be insured under statutory health insurance.

You become self-employed after studies

• You had public health insurance during your studies: You can choose between public and private health insurance. You should only pick private healthcare once you consistently start earning a high income. Till then, stick with public health insurance.
• You had private health insurance during your studies: You will stay in private insurance. You cannot change to public health insurance. 
• You become a journalist or artist after studies: In this case, you should join the artists’ social insurance fund.

You became a civil servant after studies

Private health insurance is the best choice for civil servants in Germany. This is because the state covers 50 to 70% of their medical costs.

Thus, civil servants only need to take out private health insurance for the remaining costs. This makes private health insurance premiums for civil servants much cheaper than standard rates.

We recommend getting private health insurance via an insurance broker. They are experts and can help you find the best plan for your needs. You can book a call with an expert we recommend here.

You are unemployed after studies

Public health insurance during your studies

If you are eligible for unemployment benefits, apply for it at the employment office (Arbeitsagentur). Otherwise, you should apply for a citizen’s allowance (Bürgergeld). 

In both cases, the job center pays your statutory health insurance premium.

Suppose you have only a one-month gap between starting your job and finishing your studies. In this case, you can benefit from the so-called subsequent health insurance. 

In subsequent health insurance, you don’t pay health insurance for one month.

NOTE: The subsequent insurance benefit entitlement ends after one month.

Private health insurance during your studies

In this case, you have the following options.

• You can apply for a citizen’s allowance.
• You can change your private health insurance plan to a basic tariff to save costs.
• You can switch to statutory health insurance. You can only switch if you receive “unemployment benefits I” due to your previous job.

FAQs

Difference Between Student Travel Insurance vs Student Health Insurance

Travel health insurance covers you till you get student health insurance in Germany. Travel insurance offers limited coverage.

You need travel insurance when applying for a German travel visa in your home country. Once you are in Germany, you must get German health insurance.

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 144.66€ per month (as of 2025) 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.

References

• https://www.studierendenwerke.de/themen/studieren-mit-behinderung/finanzierung/krankenversicherung/private-krankenversicherung-sinnvolle-alternative-fuer-studierende-mit-beeintraechtigungen
• https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/120841082/Krankenversicherung_f%C3%BCr_internationale_Studierende
• https://www.finanztip.de/krankenversicherung/krankenversicherung-student/
• https://www.tk.de/en/service-faqs/life-change/leave-germany-permanently-health-insurance-cover-2092300
• https://www.studierendenwerke.de/themen/studienfinanzierung/kosten-des-studiums/versicherungen/studienvoraussetzung-kranken-und-pflegeversicherung
• https://www.verbraucherzentrale.de/wissen/gesundheit-pflege/krankenversicherung/studentische-krankenversicherung-diese-moeglichkeiten-gibt-es-10352
• https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/aktuelles/erhoehung-pflegebeitraege-2319616
• https://www.haufe.de/sozialwesen/versicherungen-beitraege/pflegeversicherungsbeitrag-2019_240_455110.html