Find out which student insurance applies to you
Answer up to 5 questions to see which insurance type applies to you — GKV, PKV, EHIC, OSHC, SHIP, J-1 cover or NHS access — for Germany, Australia, the USA, the UK and the rest of the EU.
This tool checks eligibility and exemptions — which insurance type applies to you. It is general information, not individual advice: your public insurer or visa authority has the final say. To compare actual plans, use the Insurance Finder.
Common eligibility questions
What is the age limit for the GKV student rate in Germany?
The student rate ends with the semester in which you turn 30 (§ 190(9) SGB V); exceptions exist for cases such as second-chance education (§ 5(1) no. 9). If you were already insured in GKV, your membership continues as voluntary insurance (about €273–€291/month) unless you leave. Otherwise private insurance, with entry plans from €27.50/month, is the usual route.
Can I use my EHIC instead of German insurance for a full degree?
Yes, if you have public health insurance in an EU/EEA country, Switzerland or the UK. You are then not subject to the German student insurance (§ 5(1) no. 9 SGB V): a German public insurer checks your EHIC and sends the electronic notice (M10) your university needs for enrolment. This can change if you lose your home cover or take up paid work in Germany beyond a mini-job — ask the insurer.
Do language course and Studienkolleg students get the GKV student rate?
No. Language courses and the Studienkolleg do not count as university studies for GKV, even if you are enrolled for the Studienkolleg. Private student insurance is the usual route — or your EHIC, if you have public insurance in the EU/EEA, Switzerland or the UK.
Are PhD students covered by the GKV student rate?
No. The Federal Social Court ruled in 2018 that doctoral candidates are not students in the sense of the student insurance (B 12 KR 15/16 R). With an employment contract you are insured as an employee; on a stipend you need voluntary GKV (if you were previously insured in German GKV) or private insurance.
What happens if I work more than 20 hours a week in Germany?
During the lecture period, students can work up to 20 hours a week and keep their student insurance. If you regularly work more, you are insured as an employee — the contribution is a percentage of your salary and your employer pays about half. Work in semester breaks, or in the evenings and at weekends, can exceed 20 hours for up to 26 weeks a year.
Is OSHC mandatory for all students in Australia?
Student visa (subclass 500) holders must keep Overseas Student Health Cover for their whole stay (visa condition 8501). Five insurers offer it: ahm, Allianz, Bupa, Medibank and nib; single cover costs AUD 55–60/month (AUD 665–726/year) in 2026. Some students from Norway, Sweden and Belgium are exempt — confirm with the Department of Home Affairs.
What insurance does an F-1 or J-1 student need in the USA?
For F-1 students, the university sets the rules: many require enrolment in their Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) unless you qualify for a waiver. J-1 exchange visitors must meet federal minimums: $100,000 medical cover per accident or illness, $25,000 for repatriation, $50,000 for medical evacuation and a deductible of no more than $500 (22 CFR 62.14).
Know your insurance type? Compare plans
This check shows which insurance type applies to you. The Insurance Finder and our comparisons list matching plans with prices — you sign up directly with the provider.