Your September Insurance Checklist: Act Now, Enroll Stress-Free in October
If you’re starting university this October, you need health insurance sorted by September at the latest. Universities in Germany, the Netherlands, France, the UK, and Australia all require proof of coverage before — or at the moment of — enrollment. Missing this deadline means a delayed Immatrikulation, a rejected visa, or gaps in your coverage. This checklist walks you through every step, country by country, with concrete deadlines.
The Big Picture: Why September Is the Critical Month
Most winter semesters start on 1 October. Enrollment (Immatrikulation) deadlines typically fall in mid-to-late September. But getting insured is not a one-day process:
- German GKV application + M10 electronic notification: 3–10 working days
- Private PKV quotes and policy issuance: up to 2 weeks
- UK IHS surcharge payment + visa processing: several weeks before arrival
- Australia OSHC purchase (must precede your CoE): done at visa stage
The students who miss deadlines are not the ones who forgot — they are the ones who started too late. Start by 1 August at the latest.
Month-by-Month Timeline: July → October
July — Research and Decide
☐ Confirm your university admission letter is in hand (you need it to apply for GKV)
☐ Check your age: under 30 → GKV is likely your best option in Germany
☐ Check your study type: full degree → GKV eligible; language course only → need PKV
☐ Research GKV providers: TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK, IKK
☐ For Australia: confirm your OSHC provider is on the approved list (ahm, Allianz Care, Bupa, Medibank, nib)
☐ For UK: check if your IHS has been paid as part of your visa application
August — Apply and Confirm
☐ Submit GKV application online with your university admission letter
☐ OR get private PKV quotes and choose a plan
☐ Receive your Versicherungsbescheinigung (insurance confirmation letter) — this proves you are covered
☐ Request the M10 digital notification from your GKV provider → they send it directly to your university
☐ For Australia: confirm your OSHC start date matches your planned arrival date
☐ For Netherlands: check if you need Dutch health insurance (required only if you work)
☐ For France: confirm your CVEC payment is complete (€103 in 2026)
September — Submit Documents and Enroll
☐ Submit all enrollment documents to your university by their stated deadline
☐ Confirm the M10 notification has been received by the university (call the Studierendensekretariat)
☐ Register at your local Einwohnermeldeamt (resident registration) within 14 days of moving in
☐ Receive your eGK (elektronische Gesundheitskarte) by post — this is your physical insurance card
☐ For PKV: submit your private insurance exemption (AT-11 form) through a GKV provider
October — Semester Starts
☐ Carry your insurance card on day one
☐ Register with a local GP (Hausarzt) in the first week
☐ For GKV: download your insurer’s app (TK-App, Meine AOK, etc.) for digital ID
☐ For UK: register with an NHS GP within 2 weeks of arrival
☐ For Australia: activate your OSHC card and save the emergency number
Germany: The Most Detailed Checklist
Germany has the most complex insurance enrollment process for international students. Here is what you must do, in order.
Step 1 — Choose GKV or PKV
GKV (public) is the default for most students:
| Condition | GKV eligible? |
|---|---|
| Under 30, degree program | Yes |
| Under 30, language course (Studienkolleg) | No — need PKV |
| Over 30 | No — need PKV |
| PhD student | Depends on enrolment status |
| EU/EEA student | Yes (same rules) |
GKV student rate in 2026: ≈ €130/month (combined health + long-term care contribution).
Private PKV options from ≈ €39/month (Care Concept, DR-WALTER, Mawista, Feather, Ottonova).
Compare all options at /insurance/compare/.
Step 2 — Apply for GKV
- Go to the website of your chosen provider (TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK)
- Start the application — you will need:
- University admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid)
- Passport
- Your planned German address (can be a temporary or student hall address)
- Submit online — processing takes 1–5 working days
- Receive your Versicherungsbescheinigung by email
Step 3 — Request the M10 Notification
The M10 is an electronic signal your GKV provider sends to your university. It confirms your insurance status. Without it, many German universities will not complete your Immatrikulation.
- How to request it: Contact your GKV provider and give them your university’s name and city
- Timeline: The provider sends it to the university within 3–4 working days
- If you use PKV: You must still go through a GKV provider for the M10 process — they send an “exemption notification” instead. This is called the AT-11 process
Deadline: Request the M10 at least 2 weeks before your enrollment deadline to allow time for processing and follow-up.
Step 4 — Submit to the University
Most German universities require one of these at enrollment:
| Document | Required for |
|---|---|
| M10 electronic notification (sent by insurer) | GKV students |
| AT-11 exemption confirmation | PKV / private insurance students |
| EHIC + M10 exemption | EU students using home country insurance |
| Printed Versicherungsbescheinigung | As backup / hard copy |
Where to submit: The Studierendensekretariat (student registration office). Many universities accept the M10 digitally — you do not need to bring a paper copy if the M10 has been sent electronically.
Step 5 — Blocked Account Combo (Visa Applicants)
If you need a German student visa, you likely need a blocked account (Sperrkonto) showing €11,904 for 2026/27 (the standard annual requirement set by German authorities).
The visa application also requires proof of health insurance — but at the visa stage, this is typically a coverage confirmation letter from your future GKV or a private policy. The full GKV enrollment happens after you arrive in Germany.
Sequence for visa applicants:
- Open blocked account (Expatrio, Fintiba, or Deutsche Bank)
- Get a health insurance coverage confirmation letter for the visa
- Submit visa application
- After arrival: complete GKV enrollment and get your M10
See our Germany country guide and blocked account guide for full details.
United Kingdom: IHS Before You Arrive
The UK process is front-loaded — you pay for NHS access when you apply for your visa.
Checklist for UK-Bound Students
☐ Pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of your Student Visa application — £776/year in 2026
☐ Keep your IHS payment reference number — you will need it at border control
☐ After arrival: register with an NHS GP in your local area (use nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps)
☐ If you have a European EHIC/GHIC card, keep it for travel back to the EU
☐ Consider supplemental dental/optical cover — NHS does not cover all dental work for international students
Deadline: IHS must be paid before your visa is issued. There is no way to pay it after the fact.
Cost example: A 3-year degree costs £2,328 in IHS fees paid upfront.
Netherlands: Insurance Only If You Work
The Netherlands has a unique rule: most international students do NOT need Dutch health insurance if they are only studying.
| Your situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| Studying only, no job | Keep home country insurance or EHIC; no Dutch insurance required |
| Part-time job (any hours) | Must buy Dutch Basisverzekering (≈ €140–160/month) |
| EU student | Can use EHIC for emergency care |
| Non-EU, no job | Check with your university — some require private international insurance |
If you need Dutch insurance:
☐ Compare providers: Zilveren Kruis, Menzis, CZ, VGZ, DSW
☐ Apply by your start date — coverage starts on the first of the month you register
☐ Apply for Zorgtoeslag (healthcare allowance) if your income is low — up to €123/month subsidy in 2026
Australia: OSHC Before Everything
For Australia, OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover) is a visa condition. You cannot get your Confirmation of Enrollment (CoE) without it.
Checklist for Australia-Bound Students (Semester 2 — July 2026)
☐ Purchase OSHC from one of the 5 approved providers: ahm, Allianz Care, Bupa, Medibank, nib
☐ Ensure the start date is on or before your arrival date
☐ Coverage period must extend to your visa expiry date — not just your course end date
☐ Download your OSHC certificate — you need it for your visa application
☐ After arrival: activate your membership and save the 24/7 nurse helpline number
2026 single-student OSHC prices (annual):
| Provider | Annual price (AUD) |
|---|---|
| ahm | 623 |
| nib | 680 |
| Bupa | 760 |
| Medibank | 769 |
| Allianz Care | 806 |
Compare all OSHC providers on our Australia page.
France: CVEC First, Then Automatic Coverage
France makes it relatively simple — if you are enrolled at a French university, you are automatically affiliated with the French health system (CPAM).
Checklist for France-Bound Students
☐ Pay the CVEC (Contribution de Vie Étudiante et de Campus) — €103 in 2026 — via messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr
☐ Keep your CVEC attestation — you need it for enrollment
☐ After enrollment: register with CPAM to get your Carte Vitale (health card)
☐ Choose a médecin traitant (primary doctor) and register them with CPAM
☐ Consider a mutuelle complémentaire — CPAM covers only 70% of most costs
Timeline: Carte Vitale takes 2–4 weeks after CPAM registration. Use the attestation paper in the meantime.
Documents Checklist: What to Bring to Enrollment
| Document | Germany | UK | Netherlands | Australia | France |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance confirmation letter | M10 / AT-11 | IHS reference | Insurer PDF | OSHC certificate | CVEC attestation |
| University admission letter | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Passport | Required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Proof of address | Required | Recommended | Required | Recommended | Required |
| Health card / eGK | Not yet (comes later) | NHS card later | Insurer card | OSHC card | Carte Vitale later |
5 Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Waiting until you arrive to apply for GKV
GKV applications need your university admission letter, not your student ID. You can apply weeks before you set foot in Germany. Waiting until October means your M10 will not arrive in time for enrollment.
2. Assuming home-country insurance is accepted
Most German universities will not accept home-country insurance as a substitute for German GKV/PKV. You need the M10. EU students can use EHIC for exemption, but must still go through the M10 exemption process.
3. Choosing the cheapest PKV without checking coverage
Budget private plans sometimes exclude outpatient care, mental health, or dentistry. German embassies and universities check whether your plan meets minimum requirements. Always verify before buying.
4. Missing the M10 window
If your GKV provider sends the M10 too close to the enrollment deadline, the university’s system may not update in time. Allow at least 10 working days. Follow up by phone.
5. Forgetting the blocked account + insurance combo
Visa applicants need both a blocked account AND health insurance confirmation in the same visa application. Getting one without the other causes delays.
FAQ
When is the insurance deadline for German universities?
Most German universities require proof of insurance at the time of enrollment (Immatrikulation), which typically falls in September. The exact date varies by university — check your admission letter. The M10 notification from your GKV provider takes 3–5 working days, so apply by 1 September at the latest.
Can I enroll at a German university without health insurance?
No. German law requires all students to have health insurance. Without an M10 notification (for GKV) or an AT-11 exemption confirmation (for PKV/private), the university will not complete your enrollment.
What is the M10 form and how do I get it?
The M10 is an electronic signal sent by a German GKV provider directly to your university. It confirms your insurance status. You request it from your insurer by giving them your university name and city. They send it directly — you do not handle it yourself. Even PKV students need to go through a GKV provider to generate an M10 (as an exemption notice).
How much does GKV cost for students in Germany in 2026?
The student GKV rate is approximately €130/month (combined health + long-term care). All GKV providers (TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK, IKK) charge the same base rate.
Can I use my home-country insurance in Germany?
EU/EEA students with an EHIC card can use their home-country insurance and request an M10 exemption through a German GKV provider. Students from outside the EU/EEA generally cannot use home-country insurance for German enrollment and must take out GKV or approved PKV.
What happens if I arrive late for the semester?
You can still enroll after the semester starts at many universities, but late enrollment often has stricter paperwork requirements. Get your insurance sorted before arrival regardless — coverage delays can leave you uninsured on day one.
What is the CVEC and is it mandatory for France?
The CVEC (Contribution de Vie Étudiante et de Campus) is a €103 fee paid by all students enrolling at French universities. Without proof of payment, you cannot complete enrollment. It is paid online and takes just a few minutes.
Does Australia’s OSHC cover dental and mental health?
All five OSHC providers cover hospital psychiatric care. Bupa is currently the only provider that waives the mental health waiting period. For dental, OSHC covers emergency dental only — if you want routine dental care, buy a supplemental “extras” policy. Bupa is currently the only OSHC provider that includes extras cover by default.
Can I switch GKV providers after enrolling?
Yes, but not immediately. You must stay with your first GKV provider for at least 18 months before switching. The exception: if your provider raises its additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag), you have a special right to cancel immediately.
Is private PKV better than GKV for students?
For students under 30 in a degree program, GKV is almost always the better choice: full coverage, fixed price, universal acceptance at German universities. PKV can be cheaper (from €39/month) but coverage varies, and switching back to GKV is difficult once you have opted out. Read our full GKV vs PKV comparison.
Ready to Compare Insurance Plans?
Find the right coverage for your destination and enrollment deadline in minutes.
Compare Insurance Plans →Was this article helpful?