When international students come to study in Germany, it is legally mandatory to have valid health insurance. Proof of health insurance is required for:
- Student visa applications
- University enrollment
- Residence registration
Without valid health insurance, your visa application may be rejected or your enrollment denied.
Germany offers different health insurance options for international students depending on age, study type, and residence status. This guide explains how the German healthcare system works, what students are required to have, how much it costs, and which option is right for you.
How does the German healthcare system work?
Germany operates a mandatory health insurance system. All residents must be insured, either through:
- Public health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung – GKV)
- Private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung – PKV)
Once you become a resident in Germany, you must register with one of these systems.
No insurance = no legal residence.
What is public German health insurance (GKV)?
Public health insurance covers around 90% of residents in Germany, including German nationals, EU citizens, and many international students.
Public insurance provides access to:
- Doctors and specialists
- Hospitals
- Emergency services
- Preventive care
What public health insurance covers
- In-patient hospital treatment
- Out-patient doctor visits
- Preventive check-ups
- Prescription medication
- Basic dental care
- Pregnancy-related treatment
- Emergency services
Who is eligible for public health insurance?
Public health insurance is available to:
- Employees earning below the compulsory insurance threshold
- University students under specific conditions
- Family members of publicly insured persons (under certain rules)
Income threshold
- Compulsory insurance threshold (2025): €69,300 per year
- Contribution assessment ceiling (2025): €62,100 per year
What is private health insurance in Germany (PKV)?
Private health insurance is offered by private providers and is chosen by around 10% of residents.
Private insurance is risk-based, meaning contributions depend on:
- Age
- Health status
- Coverage level
Private insurance usually offers:
- Shorter waiting times
- Extended specialist care
- More flexible coverage options
Some of the main private health insurance companies in Germany include:
Who can apply for private health insurance?
You may apply for private health insurance if you are:
- A student over the age of 30
- Enrolled in language or preparatory courses
- A scholarship holder without an employment contract
- Self-employed
- A civil servant
- Earning above €69,300 per year (employees)
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What is the difference between private and public health insurance in Germany?
How much does health insurance cost in Germany?
For public health insurance in Germany:
- Base contribution rate: 14.6%
- Plus additional provider contribution (varies yearly)
- Contributions are split between employer and employee
- Contributions apply only up to €5,175/month (2025)
Do international students need health insurance in Germany?
Yes, all students have to have healthcare insurance in Germany. Whether you get it privately or publicly, it doesn’t matter. Without proof of insurance, you may not be granted a German student visa.
Students over 30, can only go with private insurance throughout the whole period of their studies.
Health insurance for international students in Germany
Students under 30
- Eligible for public student health insurance
- Can opt out once, within the first 3 months
- Opting out is permanent during studies
Students over 30
- Not eligible for public student insurance
- Must choose private insurance
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Is my health insurance policy valid in Germany?
If you’re from one of the countries below, your home public health insurance policy is valid in Germany:
- Member states of the European Union (with your European Health Insurance Card)
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Morocco
- Macedonia
- Montenegro
- Norway
- Switzerland
- Serbia
- Tunisia
- Turkey
You should always check the details with your health insurance provider to make sure that it will be valid in Germany - just to make sure.
What does student health insurance in Germany cover?
Student health insurance Germany will cover:
- In-patient hospital care
- Out-patient care (e.g. visiting the doctor)
- Medical check-ups
- Medication
- Basic dental care
- Treatment for pregnancy
- Emergency services
How to get proof of student health insurance in Germany?
To get proof of your German health insurance, you should contact the company you started your plan with. They will be able to provide a certificate that includes details of your insurance plan, how much it covers, and how long the plan lasts.
If you’re on private health insurance or using health insurance from your home country, you may also need to get proof of being exempt from public health insurance in Germany. You can do this by contacting the public health insurance provider in your area.
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Is healthcare in Germany free for international students?
No, healthcare in Germany is not free for international students. The only exception is if your home health insurance plan is valid in Germany.
How much is public health insurance for international students in Germany?
Average student rate (2025): €120–€130/month, depending on provider.
- TK – Techniker Krankenkasse 117,50 € for students younger than 23 or with child / 120,34 for students older than 23 and without child
- AOK Nordost 123,19 € / 126,03 €
- AOK Rheinland/ Hamburg 122, 37 € / 125, 21 €
- Barmer 119,94 € / 122,78 €
- KKH – Kaufmännische Krankenkasse 119, 94 € / 122,78 €
Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) is the most popular as it’s one of the cheapest health insurance in Germany for students. TK also has 24/7 support available in English, so it’s perfect for international students who don’t speak German.
How much is private health insurance for international students in Germany?
Private student insurance can start from €30–40/month for basic plans.More comprehensive coverage costs more.
Some popular private health insurance providers:
- AXA - www.axa.de
- CareMed International Insurance - www.study-abroad-insurance.com
- Hanse-Merkur Reiseversicherung AG - www.hmrv.de
- KLEMMER - https://www.klemmer-international.com/en/
How to apply for health insurance as an international student in Germany?
International students will have to apply for German health insurance and show proof of their policy before arriving in Germany.
Applying for student health insurance in Germany is very simple and can usually be done online. You can follow these steps to start your German health insurance plan:
- Decide whether you will choose public or private healthcare
- Choose a company and plan that you want to apply for (you can use this tool to help)
- Go to your chosen company’s website and find the online application (or their contact details if it’s not possible to apply online)
- Complete online application form
- You will receive an email with your Student Health Insurance Certificate and a request to submit further documents for your application
- Once complete you will have your insurance and can send proof of this as part of your visa application
Health insurance for preparatory courses in Germany
If you have to undertake a preparatory course before attending a German university, like our Prep4University programme, you’ll need a valid health insurance policy for the duration of your course.
Students that are enrolled in preparatory courses are not eligible for public healthcare insurance in Germany, so you will have to apply for a private plan.
After you finish your preparatory course and get accepted at a German university, you’ll then be allowed to apply for a public healthcare plan.
Health insurance for exchange students in Germany
At CBS we accept a lot of exchange students onto our undergraduate and postgraduate courses every year.
If you’re coming to study in Germany as part of an exchange programme, like Erasmus, you will need to have health insurance.
Students from EU countries can use their EHIC card as health cover for the duration of their exchange.
If you’re from a country that doesn’t have an EHIC card, you are eligible to apply for public health insurance in Germany at the discount student rate.
Health insurance for language course students in Germany
If you’re coming to Germany to study a language course, you will not be eligible to apply for public health insurance, so you will need to apply for a private health insurance plan.
Once you’ve completed your language course, if you decide to attend a German university or get a job in Germany, you will then be eligible to apply for public health insurance.
If you’re taking a short language course, possibly just a semester-long, and you’re from an EU country you can use your EHIC card instead of applying for German health insurance.
If you come to study with us at CBS, we also integrate German language classes into our study programmes to continue your learning. German as a foreign language is offered as an obligatory course for Non-native German speakers and is integrated into every semester, to help you master a new language while pursuing a degree programme.
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Check out some tips to help you learn German faster
Useful German healthcare words
Here are some useful healthcare words you can use in Germany:
- Apotheke = Pharmacy
- Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung = Statutory public health insurance
- Krank = Sick
- Krankenkassen = Non-profit associations that administer public healthcare insurance, like Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)
- Krankenschwester = Nurse
- Krankenversichertenkarte = Health insurance card
- Krankenwagen = Ambulance
- Öffentliche Krankenhäuser = Public hospital
- Pflegepflichtversicherung = Nursing care insurance
- Private Krankenversicherung = Private health insurance
- Private Krankenhäuser = Private hospital
- Rezept = Prescription
- Versicherung = Insurance
Useful German healthcare phrases
These are some useful phrases that you may need to use while in Germany:
- Ich bin krank = I am sick/ill
- Ich fühle mich unwohl = I feel unwell
- Ich fühle mich echt mies = I'm feeling really unwell
- Ich brauche einen Krankenwagen = I need an ambulance
- Mir ist schwindelig = I feel dizzy
- Ich habe Fieber = I have a fever
Emergency numbers in Germany
If you find yourself in need of emergency care while in Germany, these are the main emergency service numbers that you may need.
You can make a call to any of these numbers at any time, free of charge.
- Ambulance/Fire Brigade - 112
- Police - 110
- On-call medical service - 116117
Conclusion
Health insurance is a non-negotiable requirement for studying in Germany. Choosing the right plan depends on your age, study type, and residence status.
With the right insurance in place, you can focus fully on your studies and life in Germany.
Check out all the reasons that make Germany the perfect place to study
If you need more information or have questions about studying in Germany and requirements, you can schedule an appointment with one of our student advisors or attend one of our virtual info sessions.
Learn more about the requirements to study in Germany and how to apply
Here are 22 tips for living in Germany as an international student
Build Real Business Experience While You Study in Germany
At CBS, you work on real company projects, complete integrated internships, and tackle real business challenges as part of your Bachelor’s or Master’s programme. Gain practical skills, build industry connections, and prepare for your career from day one with guidance from industry experts and support from our Career Center and company network.
Build Real Business Experience While You Study in Germany
At CBS, you work on real company projects, complete integrated internships, and tackle real business challenges as part of your Bachelor’s or Master’s programme. Gain practical skills, build industry connections, and prepare for your career from day one with guidance from industry experts and support from our Career Center and company network.
