The TK app (Techniker Krankenkasse) is the best insurance app for students in Germany — digital health card, appointment booking, and claims in one app. For Australia, Medibank and Bupa both offer strong OSHC apps with instant claims. Whether you are studying in Berlin or Sydney, having the right app on your phone means you can manage your insurance, find a doctor, and submit claims in minutes instead of hours.
This guide reviews every major health insurance app that matters for international students in 2026 — country by country, feature by feature.
Germany: GKV Apps (Public Health Insurance)
If you are enrolled in a German public health insurer (GKV), you get access to a free app from your provider. These apps replace paper health cards, let you message your insurer, and handle most admin tasks digitally. For a full cost comparison of GKV providers, see our GKV comparison for 2026.
TK App (Techniker Krankenkasse) — Best Overall
Rating: 4.7/5 (App Store) · 4.5/5 (Google Play)
The TK app is the gold standard for students in Germany. Techniker Krankenkasse is already the most popular insurer among international students, and the app is one of the main reasons why.
Key features:
- Digital health card (eGK): Show your phone at the doctor’s office instead of carrying a plastic card
- Appointment booking: Find doctors near you and book directly
- Sick leave certificates (eAU): Digital sick notes sent straight to your employer or university
- Claims and reimbursements: Submit receipts, track status
- English interface: Partial English support — most menus and key functions are available in English
- Fitness bonus program: Track workouts, earn cashback (up to €250/year)
- Document upload: Send insurance documents by photo
- Push notifications: Reminders for appointments, coverage updates
Why students love it: The TK app genuinely replaces most paperwork. You rarely need to visit a branch or call a hotline. The digital health card alone saves time at every doctor visit.
AOK App (AOK Mein Leben)
Rating: 4.5/5 (App Store) · 4.3/5 (Google Play)
AOK has regional variants (AOK Bayern, AOK Niedersachsen, etc.), but the app experience is unified under “AOK Mein Leben.”
Key features:
- Digital health card
- Doctor search by specialty and location
- Claims submission with photo upload
- Bonus program tracking
- Push notifications for important deadlines
Limitation: The app is almost entirely in German. International students who do not speak German may find navigation harder compared to TK.
BARMER App
Rating: 4.4/5 (App Store) · 4.2/5 (Google Play)
BARMER offers one of the most polished app interfaces among German public insurers.
Key features:
- Digital health card
- 24/7 telemedicine hotline (call a doctor from the app)
- Prescription management
- Family insurance management (relevant if you have a spouse or child)
- Bonus program with up to €300/year
Standout: BARMER’s telemedicine integration is the best among GKV providers. You can video-call a doctor directly from the app, which is particularly useful for students who are new to Germany and have not found a regular GP yet.
DAK App (DAK Gesundheit)
Rating: 4.3/5 (App Store) · 4.1/5 (Google Play)
DAK’s app covers the basics well and has strong alternative medicine tracking.
Key features:
- Digital health card
- Claims and reimbursement tracking
- Bonus program (alternative medicine focus — osteopathy, acupuncture)
- Sick note management
- Document inbox
Best for: Students interested in alternative medicine benefits. DAK’s bonus program rewards visits to osteopaths and naturopaths more generously than competitors.
Germany: PKV Apps (Private Health Insurance)
Private health insurance in Germany is common for students over 30 or those who opt out of GKV. The app situation is different — most PKV providers for international students rely on web portals rather than dedicated mobile apps.
MAWISTA — Web Portal Only
MAWISTA is one of the largest private insurance providers for international students, but it does not offer a mobile app. Instead, you manage everything through a web portal:
- Submit claims by uploading scanned documents
- Download insurance certificates
- Check coverage details and policy status
Workaround: Bookmark the MAWISTA portal on your phone’s home screen for quick access.
DR-WALTER — Web Portal Only
Similar to MAWISTA, DR-WALTER provides a web-based customer portal. Claims are submitted by email or through the online form. No dedicated app exists.
Expatrio App
Expatrio is primarily known for blocked accounts (Sperrkonto), but the app also manages health insurance for students who purchase their insurance package through Expatrio.
Key features:
- Blocked account management (monthly payouts, balance tracking)
- Insurance documents and certificates
- Claims forwarding to the actual insurance provider
- Push notifications for payouts
Note: Expatrio is a broker, not an insurer. The app helps with admin, but actual claims processing depends on the underlying insurance provider.
Australia: OSHC Apps
Every international student in Australia needs Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). The five approved providers all offer apps or digital platforms. For a detailed provider comparison, see our OSHC comparison guide.
Medibank App — Best for OSHC
Rating: 4.6/5 (App Store) · 4.4/5 (Google Play)
Medibank has the strongest OSHC app in Australia, combining claims, provider search, and telehealth.
Key features:
- Instant optical claims: Scan your receipt, get reimbursed in minutes
- Digital membership card: Show at hospitals and pharmacies
- 24/7 Medibank nurse hotline: Free health advice anytime
- Hospital and GP finder: Map-based search with wait times
- Telehealth consultations: Video-call a GP from the app
- Claims tracking: Real-time status updates
Why students love it: The instant claims feature works remarkably well. For pharmacy and optical expenses, you photograph the receipt and the money hits your account within 24 hours.
Bupa App (Blua by Bupa)
Rating: 4.5/5 (App Store) · 4.3/5 (Google Play)
Bupa’s “Blua” telehealth platform is integrated into their main app, making it one of the best for remote medical consultations.
Key features:
- Blua telehealth: Unlimited GP video consultations at no extra cost
- Digital membership card
- Claims submission with photo upload
- Hospital and specialist finder
- Health assessments and wellness tracking
Standout: Blua telehealth is the killer feature. International students who are hesitant about visiting an Australian GP in person can video-call a doctor for free, anytime. Particularly useful in the first weeks after arrival.
nib App (nib OSHC)
Rating: 4.3/5 (App Store) · 4.1/5 (Google Play)
nib offers a clean, straightforward OSHC app.
Key features:
- Digital membership card
- Claims submission
- Hospital and GP finder
- Coverage details and policy management
Note: nib’s app is functional but less feature-rich than Medibank or Bupa. It covers the essentials without the telehealth extras.
ahm App
Rating: 4.2/5 (App Store) · 4.0/5 (Google Play)
ahm (owned by Medibank) targets budget-conscious students with a simpler app experience.
Key features:
- Digital membership card
- Claims submission
- Basic provider search
Best for: Students who want the cheapest OSHC (AUD 623/year) and do not need advanced app features. ahm keeps it simple.
Universal Apps: Telemedicine & Doctor Finders
These apps work regardless of your insurance provider and are useful for any international student, anywhere.
Doctolib (Germany, France, Italy)
Rating: 4.8/5 (App Store) · 4.6/5 (Google Play)
Doctolib is the dominant appointment-booking app in Germany and France. Over 300,000 doctors are listed.
Key features:
- Search doctors by specialty, language, and location
- Book appointments online (no phone calls needed)
- Video consultations with participating doctors
- Appointment reminders
- Prescription renewals
Essential for Germany: Finding a GP in Germany can take weeks. Doctolib shows available time slots across your city, often revealing appointments that phone-only practices would not offer. Filter by “English-speaking” to find doctors who can communicate in English.
Kry (Europe-wide)
Rating: 4.5/5 (App Store) · 4.3/5 (Google Play)
Kry is a telemedicine app available in Germany, UK, Sweden, Norway, and France. In Germany it operates as “Kry” and accepts GKV and PKV patients.
Key features:
- Video consultations with licensed doctors
- Prescriptions sent digitally to your pharmacy
- Sick notes issued within the app
- Available evenings and weekends
Best for: Students who need a doctor outside normal office hours or cannot find an appointment through regular channels.
Healthily (Worldwide)
A symptom checker app that helps you assess whether you need to see a doctor. Useful as a first step before booking an appointment, especially in a new country where you are not sure how the healthcare system works.
Ada Health (Worldwide)
Rating: 4.7/5 (App Store) · 4.5/5 (Google Play)
Another AI-powered symptom checker, developed in Berlin. Ada asks questions about your symptoms and suggests possible conditions with a confidence rating. Available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.
What to Look For in an Insurance App
Not all apps are equal. Here is what actually matters for international students:
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Digital health card | Replaces the plastic card — faster check-in at doctors |
| Claims submission | Upload receipts from your phone instead of mailing paper forms |
| Doctor/hospital finder | Find English-speaking doctors near your university |
| Telehealth/video calls | See a doctor from home — critical when you are new and do not have a GP yet |
| English interface | Not all apps support English. TK and Bupa are the best |
| Push notifications | Reminders for appointments, coverage renewals, claim status |
| Prescription management | Digital prescriptions reduce pharmacy confusion |
| Offline access | View your insurance card and policy details without internet |
Red Flags
- No digital claims: If you still need to mail paper forms in 2026, switch providers
- No English support: Especially problematic for non-German or non-English speakers
- No telehealth option: Video consultations are standard now — demand them
- Poor ratings (<3.5 stars): Low ratings usually mean crashes, slow performance, or missing features
App Comparison Table
| App | Country | Type | Digital Card | Telehealth | Claims | English | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TK | Germany | GKV | Yes | No | Yes | Partial | 4.7 |
| AOK | Germany | GKV | Yes | No | Yes | No | 4.5 |
| BARMER | Germany | GKV | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | 4.4 |
| DAK | Germany | GKV | Yes | No | Yes | No | 4.3 |
| Medibank | Australia | OSHC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.6 |
| Bupa (Blua) | Australia | OSHC | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 4.5 |
| nib | Australia | OSHC | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 4.3 |
| ahm | Australia | OSHC | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 4.2 |
| Doctolib | DE/FR/IT | Booking | N/A | Yes | N/A | Partial | 4.8 |
| Kry | Europe | Telehealth | N/A | Yes | N/A | Yes | 4.5 |
Which App Should You Download?
Studying in Germany with GKV? Download the TK app (or your insurer’s app) + Doctolib. These two cover 90% of your healthcare admin needs.
Studying in Germany with PKV? Download Doctolib + Kry for telemedicine. Your PKV provider likely uses a web portal instead of an app.
Studying in Australia? Download your OSHC provider’s app immediately after arrival. Medibank and Bupa have the best apps. Also install Healthily or Ada for symptom checking.
Studying anywhere else? Download a symptom checker (Ada Health) and a telemedicine app available in your country. Check if your insurance provider has an app — even a basic one saves time.
Not sure which insurance to get in the first place? Learn how to file a claim and how to see a doctor abroad before you go.
FAQ
Do I need the insurance app, or can I just use the website?
You do not strictly need the app, but it saves significant time. The digital health card alone eliminates the need to carry a plastic card. Claims submission by photo is faster than mailing forms. Most German GKV providers now expect students to use the app for basic tasks like sick notes and document uploads.
Does the TK app work in English?
Partially. The TK app has English support for the most important functions — digital health card, claims, and basic navigation. Some deeper menu items and notifications are still in German. TK is the most English-friendly GKV app in Germany.
Can I use Doctolib without German health insurance?
Yes. Doctolib is a booking platform, not an insurer. You can book appointments regardless of your insurance type. Private patients and self-payers can also use it. Just select “Privatpatient/Selbstzahler” when booking.
Are OSHC apps available before I arrive in Australia?
Yes. You can download and set up the Medibank or Bupa app as soon as you purchase your OSHC policy. Your digital membership card will be available immediately, which is useful for airport arrivals where you might need medical attention.
Is telehealth covered by my insurance, or do I pay extra?
For GKV in Germany, telehealth through your insurer’s app (like BARMER’s video consultations) is covered at no extra cost. Kry is also covered by most GKV providers. For OSHC in Australia, Bupa’s Blua telehealth is included free with your policy. Medibank’s nurse hotline is free. Always check with your specific provider before assuming telehealth is covered.
What if my insurance provider does not have an app?
Use Doctolib (Germany/France) or Healthily (worldwide) for appointment booking and symptom checking. For claims, check if your provider accepts email submissions with photo attachments — most do, even without a dedicated app. Bookmark the provider’s web portal on your home screen for quick access.
Related Articles
- GKV Comparison 2026: TK vs AOK vs BARMER vs DAK
- OSHC Comparison 2026: Best Provider for International Students in Australia
- How to File a Health Insurance Claim as a Student
- How to See a Doctor Abroad: Student Guide
Ready to compare health insurance plans? Use our insurance comparison tool to find the best coverage for your study destination — then download the app and manage everything from your phone.
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