Public Health Insurance (GKV)

GKV — Public Health Insurance for Students in Germany

Q: How much does the GKV cost for students in 2026?

The student rate is €139.28–€151.42 a month for students under 23 or with a child, depending on the insurer. Childless students aged 23 and over pay €5.13 more for long-term care insurance. TK, for example, charges €141.16 (€146.29 from age 23 without children).

Q: Is the GKV student rate the same at every insurer?

The legal base (10.22% of €855 = €87.38) and the long-term care contribution are the same everywhere. Each insurer sets its own Zusatzbeitrag — from 2.47% to 3.89% in 2026 — so the cheapest and the most expensive insurer differ by €12.14 a month.

Q: Can I switch GKV insurers?

Yes. After 12 months of membership you can switch to any other GKV insurer with two months’ notice to the end of a month. If your insurer raises its Zusatzbeitrag, you have a special right to switch earlier. You simply join the new insurer, which handles the switch.

Q: What does the GKV cover?

Doctor and specialist visits, hospital treatment and surgery, prescription medicines, psychotherapy, basic dental care, pregnancy and maternity care, rehabilitation, preventive check-ups and vaccinations. The benefits are defined by law (SGB V) and are essentially the same at every insurer.

Q: Do I have to pay anything at the doctor?

There is no fee for doctor visits — you show your electronic health card (eGK) and the practice bills your insurer. Small legal co-payments apply to some services, for example €5–10 per prescription item and €10 per day in hospital (for up to 28 days a year), capped at 2% of your annual income.

Q: What if I am 30 or older?

The student rate ends with the semester in which you turn 30 (it can continue in exceptional cases, e.g. for family reasons or a second-chance education). If you were already in the GKV, you are then continued automatically as a voluntary member — about €273–€291 a month for students — unless you leave with proof of other cover. If you arrive in Germany aged 30 or older without previous public insurance, you usually cannot join the GKV and need private health insurance, from €27.50 a month.

Q: Can I join the GKV while in a language course or Studienkolleg?

Not at the student rate. It applies only to students enrolled in a degree programme at a state or state-recognised university. Language-course and Studienkolleg participants usually need private health insurance.

Q: Is the GKV accepted for enrolment and the student visa?

Yes. Every GKV insurer reports your cover to your university electronically, and GKV membership meets the health insurance requirement for the student residence permit. If your membership only starts with the semester, many embassies ask for travel or incoming insurance for the time before. If you choose private insurance instead, you need an exemption (Befreiung) from a GKV insurer for enrolment — and it cannot be reversed during your degree. Students with an EHIC or private cover also need this electronic notice (M10) from a GKV insurer.

The standard choice for degree students under 30. The student rate costs €139.28–€151.42 a month in 2026 (under 23 or with a child). The legal benefits are the same at every insurer — only the Zusatzbeitrag, service and extras differ.

2026 rates · Last updated October 1, 2026

Compare GKV insurers →Germany guide

€139.28From, per month

15Insurers compared

< 30Age limit for the student rate

01Overview

What is the GKV?

The Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV) is Germany’s statutory public health insurance. Most people living in Germany are insured in it, and its benefits are defined by law (Social Code Book V), so they are essentially the same at every insurer (Krankenkasse).

Students enrolled at a state or state-recognised German university are insured at a reduced student rate until the end of the semester in which they turn 30. As an international student you get the same benefits as German students — doctor visits, hospital treatment, prescriptions, psychotherapy and more.

Why most students choose the GKV

Accepted for enrolment — your insurer confirms your cover to the university electronically
Accepted by almost every doctor and hospital — just show your health card
No fee for doctor visits — only small legal co-payments, e.g. for prescriptions
Pre-existing conditions covered — no health questions, no waiting periods
Free family insurance for a spouse and children living in Germany without their own income

02Eligibility

Who can join the GKV student rate?

You qualify if:

You are under 30 — the student rate ends with the semester in which you turn 30
You are enrolled at a state or state-recognised German university
You study in a degree programme (Bachelor, Master, State Examination …)
You come from the EU/EEA or hold a German student visa or residence permit

The student rate usually does not apply if:

You are 30 or older — see the FAQ for voluntary GKV and private cover
You only attend a language course or Studienkolleg
You are a PhD candidate employed by your university — you are insured as an employee instead
You are an EU/EEA student covered by your home public insurance (EHIC)

03Compare insurers

GKV insurers for students in 2026

All insurers offer the same legal core benefits. They differ in the Zusatzbeitrag (additional contribution), English-language service, digital services and bonus programmes.

Largest Statutory Insurer

Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)

12.4 million insured

€141.16/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag2.69%

English SupportExcellent — dedicated English hotline (24/7), English TK-App, English website

Bonus ProgramUp to €200/year cash (or €400/year as Gesundheitsdividende)

✓ Extensive English-language support (24/7 hotline + English app)✓ TK-App with English interface, video consultations, and fitness tracking✓ Zusatzbeitrag of 2.69% — well below the market average of 2.9%

View Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) details →

AOK

27.4 million (all 11 regional AOKs) insured

€139.28–€148.09 (AOK Bayern: €141.16)/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag2.47%–3.50% (varies by region; AOK Bayern: 2.69%)

English SupportLimited — depends on regional AOK branch; varies significantly by city

Bonus ProgramUp to €200/year (varies by regional AOK)

✓ Largest branch network — over 1,000 offices across Germany for in-person support✓ AOK Bayern and AOK Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland offer among the lowest Zusatzbeiträge (2.69% and 2.47%)✓ About 27.4 million insured people across the 11 regional AOKs (July 2026) — Germany's largest group of public health insurers

View AOK details →

Audi BKK

812,000 insured

€140.39/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag2.60%

English SupportMinimal — primarily German

Bonus ProgramUp to €150/year cash for preventive behavior

✓ Among the cheapest public health insurers in 2026 — supplementary contribution of only 2.60%✓ Total of €140.39/month for students under 23 — actually cheaper than TK (€141.16)✓ Open to everyone nationwide since 2010, despite the Audi branding

View Audi BKK details →

Bahn-BKK

556,000 insured

€149.37/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag3.65%

English SupportMinimal — German only

Bonus ProgramUp to €150/year cash for preventive behavior

✓ Long-established insurer with history going back to 1909 — experienced and stable✓ Nationwide service network with regional service centers✓ Solid digital services via the Bahn-BKK App

View Bahn-BKK details →

BARMER

8.18 million insured

€146.29/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag3.29%

English SupportGood — English hotline (weekdays 8am–7pm), English website (barmer.de/en), English email support

Bonus ProgramUp to €200/year

✓ 24/7 telemedicine — Teledoktor offers video consultations with doctors✓ Mental health extras: free 7Mind mindfulness app + online CBT programs✓ Good English support with dedicated hotline (weekdays 8am–7pm) and English website

View BARMER details →

BIG direkt gesund

477,000 insured

€149.71/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag3.69%

English SupportLimited — dedicated English student landing page, but no English hotline

Bonus ProgramUp to €150/year cash for preventive behavior

✓ Fully digital — no branch visits needed, everything runs via app and member portal✓ Dedicated English page specifically for international students✓ 100% online enrollment with document upload — ideal for students abroad

View BIG direkt gesund details →

DAK-Gesundheit

5.39 million insured

€145.52/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag3.20%

English SupportLimited — primarily German-speaking; some English resources on website

Bonus ProgramAktivBonus: no upper cap on cash rewards (1 point = €1), +20% for health services, up to €500/year for sport and fitness gear

✓ AktivBonus has no upper cap on cash rewards — 1 point equals €1, paid out in full✓ Strong alternative medicine coverage: osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture subsidies✓ Professional dental cleaning subsidy included

View DAK-Gesundheit details →

HEK — Hanseatische Krankenkasse

614,000 insured

€142.87/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag2.89%

English SupportLimited — German primary

Bonus ProgramUp to €150/year cash for preventive behavior

✓ Supplementary contribution of just 2.89% — below the market average of around 2.9% and close to TK✓ Total of €142.87/month is only about €1.71 more than TK (€141.16)✓ Nationwide and fully open to the public

View HEK — Hanseatische Krankenkasse details →

hkk Krankenkasse

1.01 million insured

€140.30/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag2.59%

English SupportMinimal — primarily German-language site; no dedicated English hotline

Bonus ProgramUp to €150/year via hkk bonusaktiv

✓ One of the cheapest bundesweit-open Krankenkassen in 2026 at €140.30/month (under 23 or with children)✓ Zusatzbeitrag of 2.59% in 2026 (up from 2.19% in 2025) — still one of the lowest among nationwide-open Krankenkassen✓ Up to €150/year available through the hkk bonusaktiv bonus program — accessible to students

View hkk Krankenkasse details →

IKK classic

2.85 million insured

€151.08/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag3.85%

English SupportMinimal — no dedicated English hotline; primarily German

Bonus ProgramUp to €150/year via IKK Bonus

✓ About 150 offices across Germany for in-person support✓ Germany's largest Innungskrankenkasse with about 2.85 million insured people — stable and well-established✓ Zusatzbeitrag of 3.85% since 1 August 2026 — still broadly comparable to other nationwide GKV insurers

View IKK classic details →

KKH — Kaufmännische Krankenkasse

1.46 million insured

€150.48/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag3.78%

English SupportGood — English-speaking hotline +49 511 80684 9303 (weekdays 9 am–3 pm), e-mail english@kkh.de, English website kkh.de/englisch

Bonus ProgramUp to €150/year via KKH Bonusprogramm

✓ English-language student page at kkh.de/englisch/students✓ English-speaking hotline +49 511 80684 9303 (weekdays 9 am–3 pm)✓ Email support in English via english@kkh.de — great for written documentation of complex cases

View KKH — Kaufmännische Krankenkasse details →

mhplus BKK

471,000 insured

€151.16/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag3.86%

English SupportLimited — primarily German

Bonus ProgramUp to €150/year cash for preventive behavior

✓ Dedicated student page with tailored information and online enrollment✓ Professional dental cleaning subsidy — rare among public insurers✓ Straightforward online enrollment and document handling

View mhplus BKK details →

mkk — meine krankenkasse

511,000 insured

€148.09/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag3.50%

English SupportMinimal — German primary

Bonus ProgramUp to €150/year cash for preventive behavior

✓ Nationally open — anyone in Germany can join regardless of employer or region✓ Modern brand identity since the renaming from BKK VBU on 1 January 2024✓ Solid digital services via the mkk App and online member portal

View mkk — meine krankenkasse details →

Mobil Krankenkasse

840,000 insured

€151.42/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag3.89%

English SupportLimited — partial English site, no dedicated English hotline

Bonus ProgramUp to €150/year cash for preventive behavior

✓ Partial English website section — helpful for international students evaluating options✓ Solid digital services including the Mobil Krankenkasse App and online video consultations✓ Professional dental cleaning subsidy included — uncommon among public insurers

View Mobil Krankenkasse details →

SBK — Siemens-Betriebskrankenkasse

1.09 million insured

€150.65/month (under 23)

Zusatzbeitrag3.80%

English SupportExcellent — dedicated English hotline, English website (sbk.org/sbk-en) and student page

Bonus ProgramUp to €150/year cash for preventive and healthy behavior

✓ English support — dedicated English website (sbk.org/sbk-en) with a student page and English-speaking hotline✓ Personal advisor assigned to every member for continuity of service✓ Strong digital services including the SBK Meine App and video consultations

View SBK — Siemens-Betriebskrankenkasse details →

04Costs

How the GKV student rate is calculated

GKV student rate 2026

€139.28–€151.42/month

Cost breakdown (TK example)

Health insurance (KVdS: 10.22% of €855)€87.38

Zusatzbeitrag (TK: 2.69% of €855)€23.00

Long-term care (under 23 or with a child: 3.6%)€30.78

Total (under 23 or with a child)€141.16

Long-term care (23+ and childless: 4.2%)€35.91

Total (23+ and childless)€146.29

Every component is a percentage of the BAföG reference amount of €855 a month (§ 236 SGB V). The formula is the same at every insurer — only the Zusatzbeitrag differs.

The student rate at every insurer

Insurer	Zusatzbeitrag	Under 23 / with child	23+ and childless	Details
AOK^*Cheapest	2.47%–3.50%	€139.28–€148.09	€144.41–€153.22	Details
hkk Krankenkasse	2.59%	€140.30	€145.43	Details
Audi BKK	2.60%	€140.39	€145.52	Details
Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)	2.69%	€141.16	€146.29	Details
HEK — Hanseatische Krankenkasse	2.89%	€142.87	€148.00	Details
DAK-Gesundheit	3.20%	€145.52	€150.65	Details
BARMER	3.29%	€146.29	€151.42	Details
mkk — meine krankenkasse	3.50%	€148.09	€153.22	Details
Bahn-BKK	3.65%	€149.37	€154.50	Details
BIG direkt gesund	3.69%	€149.71	€154.84	Details
KKH — Kaufmännische Krankenkasse	3.78%	€150.48	€155.61	Details
SBK — Siemens-Betriebskrankenkasse	3.80%	€150.65	€155.78	Details
IKK classic	3.85%	€151.08	€156.21	Details
mhplus BKK	3.86%	€151.16	€156.29	Details
Mobil Krankenkasse	3.89%	€151.42	€156.55	Details

* AOK consists of regional insurers with different Zusatzbeitrag rates — the range runs from the cheapest to the most expensive region. Monthly amounts calculated from each insurer’s 2026 Zusatzbeitrag with the legal formula above.

05Getting started

How to join the GKV

Five steps from choosing an insurer to your health card.

1
Choose an insurer
Compare the Zusatzbeitrag, English-language service and extras above. Large insurers such as TK also offer an online application in English.
2
Apply directly with the insurer
Apply online or at a branch with your passport and your university admission letter or enrolment certificate. Membership is concluded with the insurer itself.
3
Your insurer confirms your cover
Once you are a member, the insurer reports your insurance status to your university electronically (the “M10” notice) — there is no paper certificate any more.
4
Complete your enrolment
Your university matches the electronic notice with your enrolment (Immatrikulation). Some universities ask you to name your insurer in the enrolment portal.
5
Receive your health card (eGK)
Upload a passport photo; your electronic health card arrives by post a few weeks later. Show it at every doctor’s and hospital visit.

06Head-to-head

GKV insurers compared directly

Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) vs AOK Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) vs BARMER Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) vs DAK-Gesundheit Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) vs HEK — Hanseatische Krankenkasse AOK vs BARMER DAK-Gesundheit vs KKH — Kaufmännische Krankenkasse Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) vs hkk Krankenkasse mhplus BKK vs SBK — Siemens-Betriebskrankenkasse

07GKV vs PKV

GKV vs private health insurance

Private student insurance (PKV) is mainly for students who cannot join the GKV student rate.

Feature	GKV (public)	PKV (private)
Monthly cost	€139.28–€151.42 (under 23)	From €27.50, depending on tariff and age
Age limit	Student rate until the semester you turn 30	Set by each tariff
Benefits	Comprehensive, defined by law	Depends on the tariff — check limits and exclusions
Pre-existing conditions	Covered	Usually excluded
Doctors	Almost all doctors in Germany	All doctors, including private practices
Family members	Free family insurance	Extra premium per person
University enrolment	Accepted automatically	Requires an exemption (Befreiung) from a GKV insurer
Switching later	Possible between GKV insurers	The exemption is irrevocable for your whole degree
Best for	Degree students under 30	Language courses, Studienkolleg, students aged 30+

08FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much does the GKV cost for students in 2026?

Is the GKV student rate the same at every insurer?

Can I switch GKV insurers?

What does the GKV cover?

Do I have to pay anything at the doctor?

What if I am 30 or older?

Can I join the GKV while in a language course or Studienkolleg?

Is the GKV accepted for enrolment and the student visa?

Ready to join the GKV?

Compare the Zusatzbeitrag of every insurer above, then apply directly with the one you choose — the insurer confirms your membership to your university.

Compare insurers →GKV calculator

What is the GKV?

Why most students choose the GKV

Who can join the GKV student rate?

You qualify if:

The student rate usually does not apply if:

GKV insurers for students in 2026

Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)

AOK

Audi BKK

Bahn-BKK

BARMER

BIG direkt gesund

DAK-Gesundheit

HEK — Hanseatische Krankenkasse

hkk Krankenkasse

IKK classic

KKH — Kaufmännische Krankenkasse

mhplus BKK

mkk — meine krankenkasse

Mobil Krankenkasse

SBK — Siemens-Betriebskrankenkasse

How the GKV student rate is calculated

Cost breakdown (TK example)

The student rate at every insurer

How to join the GKV

Choose an insurer

Apply directly with the insurer

Your insurer confirms your cover

Complete your enrolment

Receive your health card (eGK)

GKV insurers compared directly

GKV vs private health insurance

Frequently asked questions

Ready to join the GKV?