hkk Krankenkasse

hkk costs €140.30/month for students under 23 (or with children). Students aged 23+ without children pay €145.43/month due to the additional nursing care surcharge. This breaks down as: €87.38 base health insurance + €22.14 Zusatzbeitrag (2.59%) + €30.78 nursing care (or €35.91 if childless and 23+). hkk is among the cheapest bundesweit-open public health insurers in 2026.

hkk's English support is minimal. The website is primarily in German, and there is no dedicated English-language hotline. International students who do not speak German comfortably should consider TK or KKH, which offer dedicated English-language student services. hkk is best suited for German-speaking students or those confident using translation tools.

hkk is attractive for students primarily because of its low price — one of the cheapest bundesweit-open Krankenkassen in 2026 at €140.30/month. It also offers a strong bonus program (hkk bonusaktiv) worth up to €150/year. Its Zusatzbeitrag rose from 2.19% (2025) to 2.59% (2026), but it remains one of the lowest among nationwide-open Krankenkassen. Cost-conscious students who don't need English-first support get excellent value.

Visit hkk.de/mitglied-werden to start the online enrollment process. You'll need proof of university enrollment (Immatrikulationsbescheinigung), a passport or national ID, and your German registration (Anmeldung) address. Enrollment must be completed within the first 3 months of your German university enrollment. Note: the process is primarily in German, so non-German speakers may want to have a German-speaking friend or advisor help.