Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) vs. AOK

TK costs €141.16/month for students under 23 (or with children). Students aged 23+ without children pay €146.29/month due to the additional nursing care surcharge. This breaks down as: €87.38 base health insurance + €23.00 Zusatzbeitrag (2.69%) + €30.78 nursing care (or €35.91 if childless and 23+).

Yes, TK offers extensive English support: a 24/7 English-language hotline, the TK-App with English interface, an English website (tk.de/en), and English-speaking staff at many branches. Not all written correspondence is in English, but phone and app support are excellent.

Yes, if you are under 30 and enrolled in a degree program at a German university. You must sign up within the first 3 months of enrollment. Language course and preparatory course (Studienkolleg) students are not eligible for GKV.

TK rewards healthy behavior with up to €200/year in cash (or €400/year as Gesundheitsdividende if reinvested in health products). You earn points for preventive checkups, vaccinations, sports club membership, fitness tracking (via Google Fit, Samsung Health, or Fitbit), and health courses.

All GKV insurers cover the same legally mandated base benefits. TK stands out for international students thanks to its English-language support (24/7 hotline, English app), competitive Zusatzbeitrag (2.69% vs. BARMER's 3.29%), and strong digital services. AOK offers more branch offices, while BARMER excels in telemedicine and mental health extras.

AOK costs vary by region. AOK Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland (cheapest region): €139.28/month for students under 23 or €144.41/month for 23+ childless. AOK Bayern: €141.16/month or €146.29/month. AOK Nordost (Berlin, most expensive): €148.09/month or €153.22/month. The base is €87.38 + regional Zusatzbeitrag (2.47%–3.50%) + nursing care (€30.78 or €35.91).

English support varies by regional AOK. Some branches in university cities (Munich, Berlin, Hamburg) have English-speaking staff, but it's not guaranteed. There is no dedicated English hotline. For reliable English support, TK is the better choice for international students.

Each AOK is open to people who live or work in its region, and students can also choose the AOK where their university is located (§ 173 SGB V) — so most students join the AOK of the federal state where they study. AOK Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland has the lowest Zusatzbeitrag at 2.47%, AOK Bayern charges 2.69%, and AOK Nordost (Berlin) is the most expensive at 3.50%.