GKV or private health insurance: which one fits you?
Under 30 and enrolled in a degree? Then you are automatically insured in public health insurance (GKV) at the student rate of €139.28–€151.42/month — unless you opt out within three months. Private student plans (PKV) start at €27.50/month, but cover less, and the opt-out applies for your entire degree.
Find your fit in 5 questions
Question 1 of 5How old are you?
What will you do in Germany?
Do you have public health insurance in an EU/EEA country or Switzerland (European Health Insurance Card)?
How would you describe your health needs?
What matters most to you?
Your result
Public health insurance (GKV) fits you best
If you are under 30 and enrolled, you are compulsorily insured in GKV anyway. It has no benefit caps, covers existing conditions and psychotherapy, and every student pays the same rate at a given insurer: €139.28–€151.42/month depending on the insurer (e.g. TK: €141.16/month).
Your result
GKV is your default — a private plan is cheaper, with trade-offs
Your degree makes you compulsorily insured in GKV (€139.28–€151.42/month). You can opt out within three months and take a private plan from €27.50/month — but the exemption is irrevocable for your whole degree, and entry plans come with caps, deductibles and exclusions (for example, psychotherapy is not covered by the entry plan in 4 of the 5 private tariffs we list).
Private tariffs to compare
Your result
Private health insurance (PKV) is your usual route
The GKV student rate ends with the semester in which you turn 30. If you were already insured in German GKV, you can continue voluntarily (about €273–€291/month); otherwise you generally cannot join GKV and need private cover. Check each tariff's age limit.
Because you mentioned ongoing treatment: private student plans often exclude or limit conditions that existed before the start, and many do not cover psychotherapy. Read each tariff's terms before you sign up.
Private tariffs to compare
Your result
You need private health insurance (PKV) for now
Language courses and Studienkollegs do not count as university studies for the GKV student rate, so you need private cover — from €27.50/month. Once you start a degree before turning 30, you become compulsorily insured in GKV and can end the private plan.
Because you mentioned ongoing treatment: private student plans often exclude or limit conditions that existed before the start, and many do not cover psychotherapy. Read each tariff's terms before you sign up.
Private tariffs to compare
Your result
For a short stay, a private plan is usually cheaper
If you are enrolled for your exchange and under 30, you are compulsorily insured in GKV (€139.28–€151.42/month) unless you opt out within three months. For one or two semesters, a private plan from €27.50/month usually costs considerably less — but the exemption then applies for your entire enrolment.
Because you mentioned ongoing treatment: private student plans often exclude or limit conditions that existed before the start, and many do not cover psychotherapy. Read each tariff's terms before you sign up.
Private tariffs to compare
Your result
Your EHIC probably covers you
Students from the EU/EEA or Switzerland with a valid European Health Insurance Card are usually covered by their home insurance while studying in Germany. For enrolment, show the card to a German public insurer (Krankenkasse): it checks it and reports your insurance status to the university. If you also work in Germany, this can change — ask the insurer.
GKV vs real private tariffs
Public health insurance next to three private student tariffs, picked by fixed rules from our tariff data: lowest entry price, featured tariff and broadest entry-level cover.
| Feature | PublicGKV (public)View Details | Lowest priceCare CollegeView Details | FeaturedMAWISTA StudentView Details | Broadest coverProvisit StudentView Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost & terms | ||||
| Monthly priceGKV: all public insurers, incl. additional contribution and long-term care; PKV: cheapest plan | €139.28–€151.42/month (TK: €141.16/month) | €27.50/monthBetter | €28/month | €79/month |
| Insurers / plans | 15 public insurers, same statutory benefits | 3 plans: €27.50–€48 | 3 plans: €28–€74 | 1 plan: €79 |
| Age limit | Student rate until the end of the semester you turn 30 | Up to age 40 | Up to age 40 | No age limit |
| Contract term | While you are enrolled | 1–60 months | 1–60 months | 2–60 months |
| Deductible / co-payment | None — statutory co-payments of €5–€10 | Up to €120 per year | Up to €250 per year | None |
| Cover (entry plan) | ||||
| Prescription medication | Covered, €5–€10 co-payment per item | Up to €250 per year | No annual cap, 20% co-payment | Covered, no annual cap |
| Outpatient psychotherapy | ||||
| Dental prosthetics | Fixed subsidy | |||
| Waiting period for childbirth | None | 8 months | 8 months | 8 months |
| Repatriation to home country | ||||
| Visa, university & family | ||||
| Accepted for the student visa | ||||
| Accepted for university enrolment | Yes, after GKV exemption (under 30) | Yes, after GKV exemption (under 30) | Yes, after GKV exemption (under 30) | |
| Family insured free | ||||
| Visit Care College→ | Visit MAWISTA Student→ | Visit Provisit Student→ | ||
Monthly price
GKV: all public insurers, incl. additional contribution and long-term care; PKV: cheapest plan
Insurers / plans
Age limit
Contract term
Deductible / co-payment
Prescription medication
Outpatient psychotherapy
Dental prosthetics
Waiting period for childbirth
Repatriation to home country
Accepted for the student visa
Accepted for university enrolment
Family insured free
PKV columns show each tariff's entry plan (Care College Basic, MAWISTA Student Classic, Provisit Student); higher plans of the same tariff cost more and cover more. GKV prices apply to students under 23 or with children; childless students from 23 pay a slightly higher long-term care contribution (TK: €146.29/month). Full terms are on each tariff page.
Pros & cons at a glance
GKV Public
- No benefit caps and no deductible — only small statutory co-payments
- Existing conditions, psychotherapy and pregnancy covered without waiting periods
- Accepted by every university and for the student visa
- Spouse and children without own income insured free of charge
- Costs €139.28–€151.42/month — more than private entry plans (from €27.50/month)
- Student rate only until the end of the semester you turn 30
- No repatriation to your home country
- Not available for language courses or the Studienkolleg
PKV Private
- Entry plans from €27.50/month
- Also for language courses, the Studienkolleg and students over 30 (within each tariff's age limit)
- Several plan levels to choose from
- Repatriation to your home country included in every tariff we list
- Caps, deductibles or co-payments in entry plans
- Outpatient psychotherapy not covered by the entry plan in 4 of 5 tariffs
- Existing conditions often excluded or limited; waiting periods, e.g. for childbirth
- The GKV exemption is irrevocable for your whole degree
- Every family member needs their own policy
Decision guide
Choose GKV if…
- you are under 30 and enrolled in a degree
- you have a known condition or need psychotherapy
- you stay for your whole degree and want cover without caps
- your spouse or children come with you
Choose PKV if…
- you are 30 or older and have never been insured in German GKV
- you attend a language course or the Studienkolleg
- you stay only one or two semesters and price matters most
- you want repatriation to your home country included
From the EU/EEA or Switzerland? With a valid European Health Insurance Card you are usually covered by your home insurance — a German public insurer confirms this to your university.
Frequently asked questions
Compare, then sign up with the insurer
Our guides list all public insurers and every private student tariff we track. You sign up directly with the insurer, who issues your policy and insurance certificate.