Health Insurance for International Students in Germany

All legal residents in Germany, including international students, must have health insurance.

There are two types of health insurance in Germany: public (statutory) and private health insurance. If you are enrolled in a degree program in Germany, you are eligible for public (statutory) health insurance, which may not be the case for preparatory course students, language students, or Ph.D. students.

All students are required to have an insurance plan in Germany, but depending on where you come from, you might be eligible to use the plan you already have in your home country. You should consult your university’s international office for more details.

Explore Your Insurance Options in Germany!

Is Health Insurance Mandatory for Foreign Students?

Health insurance in Germany is mandatory for international students. In fact, you will not be able to get a student visa and a residence permit if you do not have health insurance.

German law requires all legal residents to be insured in the healthcare system. German healthcare is strictly regulated and renowned for its quality. Having health insurance makes it easier to access healthcare and avoid high medical bills.

Going to the doctor in Germany without insurance costs around €30 to €60 for a simple consultation. While this may not seem much in theory, this is just the cost of a simple consultation, which means other costs may accumulate, leading to expensive medical bills, often unaffordable with a student budget.

The fact that health insurance is mandatory in Germany for international students should be taken as a good thing rather than a hassle.

Who Needs Health Insurance?

All international students need health insurance in Germany.

However, if you are from the following countries, you may use the insurance from back home:

EU Member Countries	Bosnia and Herzegovina	Serbia
Norway	Morocco	Tunisia
Switzerland	Israel	Turkey
Iceland	North Macedonia
Liechtenstein	Montenegro

Just make sure you contact your health insurance provider from back home to discuss the technicalities, such as what and how much they can cover while you are in Germany.

Who Can Get Public Health Insurance?

You are eligible for public (statutory) health insurance in Germany if you are under the age of 30 and are studying a degree program, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

This online tool by TK and DR-Walter can help you determine the type of insurance you can get.

How Much Does Public Health Insurance in Germany Cost?

Public health insurance policies usually come at a discounted price for students. Costs can range from €109 to €111, depending on factors such as age and whether or not you have children.

Health Insurance	< 23 years	>23 years
TK – Techniker Krankenkasse	€109	€111
AOK Baden Württemberg	€109	€111
Barmer GEK	€109	€111
DAK – Gesundheit	€109	€111
KKH – Kaufmännische Krankenkasse	€109	€111

On Feather-Insurance, you can sign up for public health insurance today and get a price estimate in just a few clicks – all in English! 

Why use Feather?

What Does Public Health Insurance Cover?

Public health insurance in Germany covers the following:

• GP (general practitioner) appointments.
• In-hospital treatment.
• Out-patient treatments.
• Prescription medication.
• Surgery.
• Cancer screening.
• Maternity benefits.
• Basic dental care.

If you want to visit a doctor, you must set an appointment with any doctor registered in the public healthcare system, known as Kassenärzte. Such doctors usually have signs on their doors specifying they are part of the public health insurance scheme.

Remember that purchasing additional private health insurance is possible if you want to claim more benefits, such as more advanced dental services or private hospital rooms.

Which Individuals Qualify for Private Health Insurance?

Some students are not eligible for public health insurance in Germany and must get a private health insurance plan. This includes:

• Students who are over 30 years of age. (Provisit Student).
• Preparatory and language course students. (Educare24).
• Post-graduate students, guest scientists, and scholarship holders without an employment contract. (Provisit Science).
• Freelancers or self-employed students. (Feather Insurance).

If you belong to any of the groups mentioned above, you should know there are some pretty convenient private health insurance plans out there. So, you should not worry about costs, benefits, or visa requirements.

For example, EDUCARE24 by DR-WALTER is made specifically for students who belong to the above categories, meaning it will provide exactly what you need to meet all the requirements set by German authorities.

How Much Does Private Health Insurance in Germany Cost?

Private health insurance costs in Germany are budget-friendly for students. You can purchase a plan for as little as €33 per month.

Here’s a list of monthly premiums with Provisit Educare24 by DR-WALTER across different categories:

For People up to 39 Years
	S	M	L	XL
1st–18th month	€33	€37	€41	€59
19th–48th month	€50	€54	€59	€85

What Does Private Health Insurance in Germany Cover?

Private health insurance in Germany covers the same services as public (statutory) health insurance, such as GP appointments, in-hospital treatment, outpatient treatments, dental treatment, operations, and maternity services. One difference is that private health insurance allows you to include additional benefits, such as advanced dental treatment or other benefits, depending on your circumstances and needs.

For this reason, many people eligible for public health insurance combine some part of private insurance with their existing insurance policy.

How to Get Health Insurance as an International Student in Germany?

To get health insurance in Germany as an international student, contact the health insurance company. Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) has a 24/7 service in English, which makes communication pretty simple for non-German speakers.

Registering with TK will give you up to 31 days of free private insurance with DR-WALTER, which you will use before beginning your studies. You can show this free insurance to the visa authorities since your long-term insurance only becomes available after the semester starts.

Here’s where to begin if you want to get health insurance as an international student in Germany:

1. Check the free online consultation tool by DR-WALTER (to see which type of insurance you need).
2. Fill out the application form that appears after selecting the category you belong to.
3. Pay after you arrive in Germany.

After successfully applying, you will receive the Student Health Insurance Certificate that you will use to enroll at your chosen university. You will also receive another certificate, separate from the first one, to use for the visa application process.

Is Health Insurance Required for the German Student Visa?

Yes, if you need a visa to travel to Germany, you must also provide proof of health insurance. Health insurance providers in Germany understand that health insurance is essential for students who need a visa, so they tailor their plans to be as convenient and affordable as possible.

Such is the case with DR-WALTER and Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), who have collaborated to provide one month of free private insurance before studies (to use for your visa application) and public insurance you can use after studies begin!