GKVAccepted for enrolment
Public (GKV)
from €139.28/month
15 Krankenkassen from €139.28/month. The base rate is set by law; only the additional contribution differs.
Germany
Health Insurance for Students in Germany
Germany requires all students to have health insurance. Choose between public (GKV) and private coverage.
Which insurance do you need?
Question 1 of 3Your likely route
A first orientation, not advice — your Krankenkasse or insurer confirms your status.
Last updated: October 2026
€139–151
GKV student rate per month (under 23 or with a child)
€27.50
Private student plans: entry price per month (age 18–29)
€11,904
Blocked account per year (€992/month)
15
Krankenkassen compared
01Requirements
Insurance requirements
- Health insurance is mandatory for all students in Germany
- Proof of insurance required for university enrollment (Immatrikulation)
- Required for student visa and residence permit applications
- Students under 30 can join public health insurance (GKV)
- Students over 30 or in preparatory courses may need private insurance
02Plans
Three ways to be covered in Germany
Which route applies depends on your age, your programme and where you are insured today.
| Feature | Standard under 30Public (GKV)View Details | Private (PKV)View Details | Travel / incomingView Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who it is for and what it costs | |||
| Who it is for | Students under 30 enrolled at a German university | Students aged 30 or older, doctoral candidates, Studienkolleg — under 30 only after a GKV exemption | Language courses, stays under 90 days, the weeks before your main cover starts |
| Price per month (2026) | €139.28–€151.42 | from €27.50 (age 18–29) | from €35.70 |
| Accepted for | |||
| University enrolment | Yes — under 30 only with a GKV exemption | ||
| Student visa | Entry and Schengen visas; usually not enough for a residence permit for degree studies | ||
| Cover and limits | |||
| Pre-existing conditions | Covered from day one | Often excluded or limited — check the terms | Often excluded or limited — check the terms |
| Age limit | Student rate ends with the semester in which you turn 30 | Depends on the plan (see below) | Sign up until age 34 |
| Plans compared on this site | 15 | 4 | 1 |
Who it is for and what it costs
Who it is for
Students under 30 enrolled at a German university
Students aged 30 or older, doctoral candidates, Studienkolleg — under 30 only after a GKV exemption
Language courses, stays under 90 days, the weeks before your main cover starts
Price per month (2026)
€139.28–€151.42
from €27.50 (age 18–29)
from €35.70
Accepted for
University enrolment
Yes — under 30 only with a GKV exemption
Student visa
Entry and Schengen visas; usually not enough for a residence permit for degree studies
Cover and limits
Pre-existing conditions
Covered from day one
Often excluded or limited — check the terms
Often excluded or limited — check the terms
Age limit
Student rate ends with the semester in which you turn 30
Depends on the plan (see below)
Sign up until age 34
Plans compared on this site
15
4
1
GKV and PKV are accepted for university enrolment. Travel and incoming plans are for language courses and stays under 90 days.
PKVAccepted for enrolment
Private (PKV)
Not for enrolment
Travel / incoming
03Cost calculator
What will you actually pay?
The student rate is set by law: 10.22% of €855 a month, plus your Krankenkasse's additional contribution and long-term care insurance.
Your monthly contribution
€146.29
/month
Student base rate (10.22%)€87.38
Additional contribution (2.69%)€23.00
Long-term care insurance (4.20%)€35.91
Total for 12 months€1,755.48
No student rate from 30
Calculated from the 2026 contribution rates. Your Krankenkasse confirms the exact amount. Open the full GKV calculator →
04Krankenkassen
Every Krankenkasse we compare
The student base rate is the same everywhere; the additional contribution and the service differ. AOK is organised by region — pick your federal state.
Monthly amounts for 2026, calculated from each Krankenkasse's additional contribution. You join the Krankenkasse directly; it issues your insurance certificate.
05Costs
Cost overview
| Item | Cost | Details |
|---|---|---|
| GKV Student Rate | ~€141/month | 2026 base rate plus each Kasse's Zusatzbeitrag (TK/AOK Bayern €141.16, DAK €145.52, BARMER €146.29) |
| Private student tariffs (entry level) | From €27.50/month | Care College Basic €27.50, MAWISTA Student Classic €28 (ages up to 29, 2026). Prices rise with age. |
| Private student tariffs (higher tiers) | €34–€79/month | E.g. Care College Comfort €34, MAWISTA Student Comfort €74, Provisit Student €79 (ages up to 29, 2026). Cover differs from GKV — check each tariff. |
| Semester Contribution | €200–€400/semester | University fee (separate from insurance) — includes public transport ticket |
06Visa
Visa & insurance requirements
- Valid health insurance certificate required for visa application
- Insurance must cover the entire duration of your stay
- Minimum coverage: €30,000 for medical expenses
- GKV confirmation letter accepted by all German embassies
- Private insurance must meet specific embassy requirements
07Steps
How to get insured
Choose Your Insurance Type
Decide between public (GKV) or private health insurance based on your age, enrollment status, and needs.Apply with the Insurer
Apply on the insurer's website (or at a branch) with your university admission letter, passport and enrollment certificate.Receive Your Certificate
The insurer sends your insurance confirmation (Versicherungsbescheinigung), usually within 1–3 business days.Complete University Enrollment
Submit your insurance certificate to your university to finalize enrollment.Get Your Insurance Card
Receive your electronic health card (eGK) by mail within 2–3 weeks.
See what public health insurance will cost you each month
Compare 15+ major German public health insurers side-by-side with live 2026 rates. Adapts to your age, children, working-student status and federal state. Free, no signup.
How Much Does Student Health Insurance Cost in Germany?
Health insurance in Germany costs ~€141/month for public insurance (GKV) or from €27.50/month for private insurance (PKV). Health insurance is legally mandatory for all students in Germany — you cannot enroll at a university or obtain a student visa without it. As of 2026, over 400,000 international students study in Germany, all required to hold valid health insurance.
What Are the Two Types of Health Insurance in Germany?
Germany operates a dual healthcare system with two types of insurance:
Public Health Insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung / GKV): The standard choice for students under 30 enrolled in a degree program. All public insurers — TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK, IKK — offer the same base coverage; prices range from about €139 to €157/month depending on your age (under/over 23) and the insurer’s Zusatzbeitrag. No deductibles, no exclusions, full coverage from day one.
Private Health Insurance (Private Krankenversicherung / PKV): Required for students over 30, language course students, or PhD candidates who don’t qualify for GKV. Plans start from €27.50/month with varying coverage levels.
Starting with a Studienkolleg or a language course? Our sister portals explain what a Studienkolleg is (opens in a new tab) and the visa options for a language course in Germany (opens in a new tab).
Why Do 400,000+ International Students Choose Germany?
- Tuition-free education at most public universities (only ~€200-400 semester fee)
- Same healthcare access as German citizens through the student GKV rate
- Heavily subsidized insurance — the student GKV rate is roughly half the standard rate
- Semester ticket included — public transport in your city at no extra cost
- Post-study work visa — 18-month job-seeking visa after graduation
08FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
EU/EEA students with a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may be exempt from German insurance for the duration of their studies. Non-EU students must obtain German health insurance — either public (GKV, ~€141/month) or private (from €27.50/month). Your home country insurance is generally not accepted for university enrollment or visa applications unless you hold an EHIC.
Once you turn 30, you lose eligibility for the subsidized GKV student rate (~€141/month). You can stay in GKV until the end of the current semester. After that, you have two options: switch to private health insurance (from €27.50/month) or apply for voluntary GKV membership at the standard rate (~€273–€291/month). Most students over 30 choose private insurance due to the lower cost.
Yes, basic dental care is fully covered by GKV (public health insurance) at no additional cost. This includes check-ups, fillings, and basic treatments. For extras like professional cleaning (~€80-120 per session), orthodontics, or premium crowns, you would need supplementary dental insurance, which costs approximately €10-25/month.
Find a doctor (Arzt) near you using the Jameda or Doctolib platforms, call to make an appointment, and bring your insurance card (eGK for GKV members). No referral is needed for most specialists in Germany. With GKV, doctor visits are fully covered with no co-payment. Emergency rooms (Notaufnahme) are available 24/7 at hospitals for urgent care.
Yes. Non-EU students may work 140 full days or 280 half days per year (residence rules since March 2024); to keep your student insurance status, work no more than 20 hours a week during the semester. Mini-jobs paying up to €603/month are also permitted. Working beyond these limits requires switching to regular employee insurance, which is more expensive. Your GKV student rate of ~€141/month remains valid as long as you stay within these limits.
Learn More
Guides & articles
Complete Guide to Health Insurance for International Students in Germany
Everything you need to know about health insurance as an international student in Germany — GKV vs PKV, 2026 costs (€139–€151/month), who needs what, and how to enroll.
Read more →GKV vs. Private Health Insurance: Which One Should You Choose?
Detailed comparison of German public (GKV) and private health insurance for students. Costs, coverage, pros and cons explained.
Read more →Can You Buy German Student Health Insurance After You Arrive? (2026)
Already landed in Germany without health insurance? Yes, you can still arrange GKV or private cover after arrival — but a 1-day gap can block enrolment.
Read more →Helpful Resources
Tools & guides for Germany
Private insurance (PKV)
All private plans for students in Germany
Public insurance (GKV)
Krankenkassen compared: TK, AOK, BARMER, DAK and more
Blocked account
Blocked-account providers compared
MAWISTA vs Care College
Two private student plans side by side
Fintiba vs Expatrio
Two blocked-account providers side by side
TK vs AOK
Two large Krankenkassen side by side
Cost calculator
Estimate your insurance costs in Germany
Country quiz
Find the study destination that suits you
Compare Germany plans
GKV and private plans side by side
Explore Other Destinations
Explore other destinations
Compare insurance options for international students in these countries
Ready to Get Insured in Germany?
Compare public and private plans side by side, then apply directly with the insurer you choose — it issues your insurance certificate, usually within 1–3 business days.
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