Erasmus+ Does Not Include Health Insurance
Erasmus+ provides a monthly grant of €470–€520. It does not provide health insurance. Your EHIC covers emergency and necessary treatment at public hospitals, but it does not cover medical repatriation, dental prosthetics, private doctors, or comprehensive mental health therapy. A supplementary plan that closes these gaps costs €15–€40/month. Over 1.2 million students participate in Erasmus+ each year. Most assume they are covered. They are not — at least not fully.
This guide covers what Erasmus actually provides, what your EHIC misses, the insurance rules for the top 7 Erasmus destinations, and what supplementary coverage you need.
What Erasmus+ Actually Provides
Erasmus+ is the EU’s flagship mobility program. The EACEA (European Education and Culture Executive Agency) manages it on behalf of the European Commission. Here is what is included in the program — and what is not.
What your Erasmus+ grant covers
- A monthly stipend: €520/month for Group 1 countries (Germany, France, Netherlands, Scandinavia, Italy, Ireland) and €470/month for Group 2 and 3 countries (Spain, Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic, Greece, Turkey)
- Academic coordination between your home and host university
- Tuition fee waiver at the host university
What Erasmus+ does NOT cover
- Health insurance — not included, not arranged, not subsidized
- Repatriation insurance — not included
- Personal liability — not included
- Travel insurance — not included
The EACEA sets minimum insurance requirements for participants: at least €30,000 in medical coverage, plus repatriation, accident, and civil liability coverage. But the EACEA does not provide this insurance. You have to get it yourself.
Your Erasmus coordinator may recommend specific providers. Some universities negotiate group rates. But ultimately, insurance is your responsibility.
What EHIC Covers During Erasmus
If you are insured in any EU/EEA country, you have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card). It is free and gives you access to public healthcare in all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
EHIC covers:
- Emergency treatment at public hospitals
- Medically necessary care that cannot wait until you return home
- Ongoing treatment for chronic conditions (diabetes, asthma)
- Prescriptions at the same cost locals pay
- Routine maternity care
The “same cost as locals” principle
Your EHIC entitles you to healthcare at the same rates local residents pay. In some countries, that means free. In others, it means co-payments:
| Country | What you pay with EHIC |
|---|---|
| Germany | Nothing for most outpatient care |
| France | 30% of costs (Sécurité Sociale covers 70%) |
| Spain | Nothing for public healthcare |
| Sweden | SEK 250–400 (~€22–35) per GP visit |
| Italy | €36.15 specialist visit fee |
For a full breakdown, see our complete EHIC guide for students abroad.
What EHIC Does NOT Cover — The Gaps That Cost You
This is where most Erasmus students get caught. The EHIC has five critical gaps.
1. Medical repatriation — the €25,000 gap
Your EHIC does not cover getting you home. If you break your spine skiing in Austria and need an air ambulance to Warsaw, you pay the full cost. An air ambulance within Europe costs €15,000–€35,000 in 2026. A medical escort on a commercial flight costs €3,500–€6,000. Without repatriation coverage, your family pays.
Example: You are studying in Barcelona. You have a serious motorbike accident. The hospital treats you — EHIC covers that. But the doctors recommend transfer to your home hospital in Krakow for specialist surgery. The medical flight costs €22,000. Your EHIC covers €0 of that.
2. Private hospitals and doctors
The EHIC only works at public or state-contracted facilities. Private clinics are not covered. In Spain and Italy, the public system has waiting times of weeks for specialists. Many international students go private for faster care or English-speaking doctors. Your EHIC will not reimburse a single euro.
3. Dental treatment beyond emergencies
EHIC covers emergency dental care — pulling an infected tooth, treating acute pain. It does not cover crowns, root canals, orthodontics, or routine check-ups. A root canal in Germany costs €500–€1,000. A crown costs €400–€900. You pay all of it without dental insurance.
4. Comprehensive mental health therapy
EHIC covers acute psychiatric emergencies. It does not cover regular psychotherapy sessions. Public mental health waiting lists in the EU are long — 6–12 months in Germany, 3–6 months in the Netherlands. Private therapy (€80–€150 per session) is not covered by EHIC. Read more about mental health coverage for students.
5. Mountain rescue and helicopter evacuation
Studying in Austria and going skiing on weekends? EHIC does not cover mountain rescue or helicopter evacuation. A helicopter rescue in the Alps costs €5,000–€15,000.
Summary: what EHIC covers vs. what it misses
| Covered by EHIC | NOT covered by EHIC |
|---|---|
| Emergency treatment at public facilities | Medical repatriation (€15,000–€35,000) |
| Medically necessary treatment | Private hospitals and doctors |
| Chronic condition management | Dental prosthetics and root canals |
| Prescriptions at local rates | Regular psychotherapy |
| Routine maternity care | Mountain/helicopter rescue |
| Personal liability | |
| Luggage and travel disruption |
Country-by-Country Erasmus Insurance Guide
Insurance rules differ by country. What works in Spain does not work in the Netherlands. Here are the top 7 Erasmus destinations and what you need in each.
Quick overview
| Country | EHIC enough? | Working triggers local insurance? | Extra cost if working | Key trap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Yes (if not working) | Yes — any employment | ~€120/month GKV | Even a minijob triggers it |
| France | Yes + free Sécu registration | Through employer contributions | €0 extra (employer-paid) | 30% co-pay without mutuelle |
| Spain | Yes | Less strict for students | Varies | Long public waiting times |
| Netherlands | Yes (if not working) | Yes — any paid work | ~€148/month | Even zero-hours contracts count |
| Italy | Yes (short stays) | Through employer for employed | €149.77/year SSN fee | S1 form needed for >3 months |
| Austria | Yes | Yes — any employment | €78.84/month ÖGK | Self-insurance recommended anyway |
| Sweden | Yes | Registration-dependent | Included if registered | No personnummer for <12 months |
Germany: EHIC accepted — until you work
German universities accept your EHIC for enrollment (Immatrikulation). You present it at a statutory insurer (TK, AOK, or Barmer), which sends the “M10” confirmation to your university. You do not pay for German insurance.
The trap: The moment you take any job in Germany — even a minijob at €1/month — you fall under German social security law. This is the Beschäftigungsstaatsprinzip (principle of employment country): the country where you work determines your insurance obligations. Your Polish, French, or Spanish EHIC is no longer sufficient.
You must then join German public health insurance (GKV) at the student rate of approximately €120/month. Or get private health insurance.
Bottom line: If you plan to work at all during your Erasmus in Germany — even 5 hours/week — budget for German health insurance from day one. Read our full guide to working as a student in Germany.
France: free Sécurité Sociale + optional mutuelle
All students in France register with Sécurité Sociale — for free. Erasmus students are also exempt from the CVEC (Contribution Vie Etudiante et de Campus), the €105 student services fee that regular students pay.
Sécurité Sociale reimburses 70% of medical costs. You pay the remaining 30%. A GP visit costs €26.50 — you pay €7.95 out of pocket with just EHIC + Sécu.
A mutuelle (top-up insurance) costs €10–€50/month and covers the remaining 30%. Most Erasmus students find the co-payments manageable for a single semester. For a full year, a mutuelle at €15/month saves you money if you visit the doctor more than twice.
If you work in France: Your employer contributes to Sécurité Sociale on your behalf. You do not need to purchase separate insurance — but a mutuelle is still recommended for full coverage. See our France student insurance guide.
Spain: EHIC covers public healthcare well
Spain is one of the easiest Erasmus destinations for insurance. Your EHIC gives you full access to the public healthcare system (Seguridad Social). GP visits, hospital stays, and emergency care are covered with minimal or no co-payments.
Limitations: Public waiting times can be weeks for specialists. Private healthcare is not covered by EHIC. Dental care is limited to emergency extractions. Many international students in Spain opt for private insurance (from €35/month) for faster access and English-speaking doctors.
Read our Spain student insurance guide for private options.
Netherlands: the €148/month working trap
If you only study in the Netherlands, your EHIC is sufficient. Universities accept it for enrollment.
The trap: Any paid employment — part-time job, paid internship, even a zero-hours contract — triggers mandatory Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering). Since September 2025, paid internships are included. The basisverzekering costs approximately €148/month in 2026, with a mandatory annual deductible (eigen risico) of €385.
Example: You pick up a 10-hour/week cafe job to supplement your Erasmus grant. You now owe €148/month for Dutch insurance — that is €1,776/year. Your Erasmus grant for the Netherlands is €520/month. Nearly 30% gone, just on insurance.
The rescue: Students earning below ~€38,520/year qualify for zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance) of up to €131/month. Apply at toeslagen.nl. This nearly eliminates the cost.
| Situation | Insurance required |
|---|---|
| Studying only, no work | EHIC sufficient |
| Any paid work (including zero-hours) | Basisverzekering mandatory |
| Paid internship (since Sept 2025) | Basisverzekering mandatory |
| Unpaid internship | EHIC sufficient |
Full details in our Netherlands student insurance guide.
Italy: EHIC for short stays, SSN for longer
For Erasmus stays under 3 months, your EHIC is sufficient for emergency and necessary treatment.
For stays over 3 months, Italy encourages SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) registration. EU students can register using an S1 form from their home country — for free. If you cannot get an S1 form, voluntary SSN registration costs €149.77/year and gives you a local GP (medico di base) and full public healthcare access.
Without SSN registration or an S1 form, you are limited to emergency care with your EHIC. No GP, no easy specialist access.
Tip: Request your S1 form from your home country before departure. Not all countries issue them easily for students, but it is worth trying. See our Italy student insurance guide.
Austria: EHIC accepted, ÖGK recommended
Austrian universities accept the EHIC. You can access public healthcare with your EHIC card.
The Austrian student self-insurance through ÖGK (Österreichische Gesundheitskasse) costs €78.84/month and provides full access to the Austrian healthcare system — GP, specialists, e-card, prescriptions. Many universities and student organizations recommend ÖGK even if you have an EHIC, because it simplifies paperwork and gives you seamless access.
If you work in Austria: Any employment triggers mandatory Austrian social security contributions, including health insurance through ÖGK. Your home EHIC is no longer sufficient.
Full details in our Austria student insurance guide.
Sweden: EHIC-friendly, but no personnummer for short stays
Sweden is one of the best countries for EHIC users. You get full access to Swedish healthcare at the same rates as Swedish residents. Patient fees are low: SEK 250–400 (€22–35) per GP visit. Sweden also has an annual out-of-pocket cap: SEK 1,400 (€125) for healthcare, SEK 2,850 (~€255) for prescriptions. After that, care is free for the rest of the year.
The catch: To get a personnummer (personal identity number), you need to stay at least 12 months. One academic year is typically 10 months — so most Erasmus students do not qualify. Without a personnummer, you rely on your EHIC, which works fine but makes some administrative processes harder.
See our Sweden student insurance guide.
The Working Student Trap — Why EHIC Stops Being Enough
This section matters because most Erasmus students plan to work part-time. In a 2023 Eurostudent survey, over 60% of exchange students reported working or planning to work in their host country.
The EU principle of Lex loci laboris says: the country where you work determines your social security obligations. The moment you take a job, your host country’s rules apply — not your home country’s.
What this means for your wallet
| Country | Insurance cost if working | Subsidy available? |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | ~€120/month (GKV student rate) | No |
| Netherlands | ~€148/month (basisverzekering) | Zorgtoeslag: up to €131/month |
| Austria | €78.84/month (ÖGK) | No |
| France | €0 (employer contributions) | N/A |
If you budget only for EHIC and then discover you need local insurance, that is an unexpected expense of €950–€1,776/year. Plan for this from the start.
The Netherlands is the most expensive trap. A zero-hours contract at a cafe — even if you work 2 hours/week — triggers the full €148/month obligation. The zorgtoeslag subsidy helps, but you need to apply proactively.
Germany is the most common trap. Most Erasmus students in Germany want a Werkstudent job or minijob. Any employment means German health insurance. Read our working student guide for Germany for the detailed rules.
What Supplementary Insurance to Get
Your EHIC covers the basics. A supplementary policy closes the gaps. Here is what to look for and what it costs.
Minimum coverage checklist
A good Erasmus supplementary plan should include:
- Medical repatriation — at least €100,000 coverage (air ambulance + medical escort)
- Medical evacuation — transfer to a better-equipped hospital
- Personal liability — at least €1,000,000 (you accidentally flood your apartment, damage university equipment)
- 24/7 emergency assistance — multilingual hotline
- Dental treatment — at least emergency + basic restorative
- Luggage and travel disruption — delayed/lost baggage, trip interruption
What it costs
| Coverage type | Monthly cost | Per semester (5 months) |
|---|---|---|
| EHIC supplement (repatriation + liability) | €15–€25 | €75–€125 |
| EHIC supplement + dental + mental health | €25–€40 | €125–€200 |
| Full international student insurance | €40–€120 | €200–€600 |
For most Erasmus students with a valid EHIC, a supplementary policy at €20–€35/month is the sweet spot. You keep your EHIC for daily healthcare and add repatriation, liability, and dental coverage on top.
How to compare plans
Use our insurance comparison tool to filter by destination country, coverage type, and budget. Or use the insurance finder for a personalized recommendation.
Erasmus Mundus: Different Rules
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJM) are different from regular Erasmus+ exchanges. The consortium that runs your program provides insurance.
What Erasmus Mundus includes
- Health insurance meeting EACEA minimum requirements — for the full 24-month program
- Coverage starts 2 weeks before arrival and extends 2 months after graduation
- Covers medical costs, repatriation, accident, civil liability
- Provided to all students (scholarship holders and self-funded)
What to check
- Whether the consortium insurance covers dental and mental health (some do not)
- Whether it covers you during travel between consortium countries
- Whether you need local registration in each country you study in
If you are on an Erasmus Mundus program, check your specific consortium’s insurance policy before purchasing anything extra. You may already be fully covered.
Step-by-Step: Insurance Before Your Erasmus
Step 1: Check your EHIC
Verify your EHIC is valid and will not expire during your exchange. If it expires within your stay, renew it before departure. Processing takes 1–4 weeks depending on your country. If you are a UK student, you need a GHIC instead.
Step 2: Get a supplementary plan
Choose a policy that covers repatriation, personal liability, and dental. Budget €20–€35/month. Compare plans on our comparison page. Purchase before departure — you may need proof of coverage for your host university.
Step 3: Research your host country’s rules
Read the country-specific sections above. Key questions:
- Does the host country accept your EHIC for university enrollment?
- What co-payments will you face?
- Do you need to register with any local system (Sécurité Sociale in France, SSN in Italy)?
Step 4: Plan for working
If you might work — even a few hours per week — research the insurance implications:
- Germany: Any job = German health insurance (~€120/month)
- Netherlands: Any paid work = basisverzekering (~€148/month, offset by zorgtoeslag)
- Austria: Any job = ÖGK (~€78.84/month)
Budget for this from the start. Do not let it surprise you in month two.
Step 5: Save emergency contacts
Before you leave, save these:
- Your home country’s EHIC helpline
- Your supplementary insurer’s 24/7 emergency number
- The nearest hospital to your host university (with address)
- Your host university’s international student office number
- The European emergency number: 112 (works in all EU countries)
Common Mistakes Erasmus Students Make
1. Thinking EHIC is enough
EHIC covers emergencies at public facilities. It does not cover repatriation, dental, or private care. For a 5–12 month stay, the gaps are too large to ignore.
2. Not checking what happens if they work
Over 60% of exchange students work in their host country. In Germany, Netherlands, and Austria, any employment triggers local insurance obligations costing €80–€148/month.
3. Arriving without a valid EHIC
Some students assume their home insurance covers them. It does not, unless you have the physical EHIC card (or the digital version your country offers). Get it before departure.
4. Skipping repatriation coverage
Repatriation is the single most expensive gap. An air ambulance costs €15,000–€35,000. A supplementary plan covering repatriation costs €15–€25/month. The math is obvious.
5. Not registering with local systems
In France (Sécurité Sociale) and Italy (SSN), registration is free or cheap but gives you much better access. Skipping it means you are stuck with emergency-only care via EHIC.
6. Buying insurance they do not need
If you already have an EHIC and are not working, you do not need full international student insurance at €80–€120/month. A supplementary plan at €20–€35/month fills the gaps for a fraction of the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Erasmus+ include health insurance?
No. Erasmus+ provides a monthly grant (€470–€520) and tuition fee waiver, but no health insurance. The EACEA requires participants to have at least €30,000 in medical coverage plus repatriation and liability insurance. You must arrange this yourself — typically through your EHIC plus a supplementary plan costing €15–€40/month.
Is EHIC enough for Erasmus?
For basic public healthcare, yes. The EHIC covers emergency treatment, necessary care, and chronic condition management in all EU countries. But it does not cover medical repatriation (€15,000–€35,000 for an air ambulance), private hospitals, dental prosthetics, or regular psychotherapy. A supplementary policy is recommended by the European Commission for all Erasmus participants.
What if I work part-time during Erasmus?
In Germany, Netherlands, and Austria, any employment — including minijobs, zero-hours contracts, and paid internships — triggers mandatory local health insurance. In Germany, this costs ~€120/month. In the Netherlands, ~€148/month (with a subsidy of up to €131/month available). Your home country’s EHIC is no longer sufficient once you are employed.
How much does supplementary insurance for Erasmus cost?
A supplementary plan covering repatriation, personal liability, and dental costs €15–€40/month depending on coverage level. For a 5-month Erasmus semester, that is €75–€200 total. Full international student insurance costs €40–€120/month but is usually unnecessary if you already have a valid EHIC.
Does Erasmus Mundus include insurance?
Yes, unlike regular Erasmus+. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master programs provide mandatory insurance to all students (scholarship holders and self-funded). The consortium purchases a policy meeting EACEA minimum requirements. It covers health, accident, repatriation, and civil liability for the full program duration plus 2 weeks before and 2 months after.
Can I use EHIC in a private hospital?
No. The EHIC only covers treatment at public or state-contracted facilities. If you visit a private hospital or private doctor, you pay the full cost yourself. Supplementary insurance or private health insurance is needed for private healthcare access.
What is EACEA and what do they require?
EACEA is the European Education and Culture Executive Agency — the EU body that manages Erasmus+ on behalf of the European Commission. EACEA requires all Erasmus+ participants to have insurance covering at least €30,000 in medical costs, plus repatriation, accident, permanent invalidity, and civil liability. EACEA sets these requirements but does not provide the insurance.
I am from the UK — does my GHIC work for Erasmus?
The UK left Erasmus+ after Brexit, so UK students typically do not participate in Erasmus+ exchanges. However, if you are a UK student studying in the EU under a different arrangement, the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) provides the same coverage as the EHIC — emergency and necessary treatment at public facilities. The same gaps apply: no repatriation, no private care, no dental prosthetics.
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