In Germany health insurance is mandatory for everyone. DAAD says international students must prove coverage when they enrol at university, or when they apply for a visa.
In practice you go through two stages:
- Travel insurance for the visa and your first weeks.
- Student insurance in Germany for the rest of your studies.
Stage 1: travel insurance for the visa
German embassy information sheets require travel health insurance. Example from the Tehran and Amman embassies:
- cover of at least €30,000;
- valid in all Schengen states;
- for at least 3 months from travel.
A warning from the Amman embassy: statutory student insurance starts only after you enrol. If you arrive earlier, you need private cover until then. Some travel policies exclude long stays, so read the terms.
Stage 2: public insurance at the student rate
Most international students choose statutory (public) health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) with one of the public insurers (Krankenkassen).
How is the cost built? According to the Federal Health Ministry, students pay:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Reduced student health contribution | €87.38 a month |
| Insurer’s additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag) | Varies by insurer; the 2026 average is 2.9% |
| Long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) | 3.6%, or 4.2% if you have no children, from age 23 |
Approximate total: DAAD estimates about €120–130 a month for students under 30; calculating with the official 2026 rates gives roughly €135–140. So budget €120–140 a month, and get the exact figure from the insurer you choose, since its additional contribution varies.
The age limit: 30
- Students stay on the student rate at most until age 30, according to the Health Ministry.
- From 30 you pay the standard contribution even if you are still studying, according to DAAD — and it is much higher.
Private insurance: when it fits, and the risk
According to DAAD:
- Private insurance may offer more benefits, but costs significantly more, and you often pay first and claim later.
- The key warning: with private insurance, you will not be able to switch to statutory insurance during your studies.
- The Health Ministry says a return from private to public insurance is generally not possible.
Before choosing private: compare the price with public insurance, especially if you are close to or over 30, read carefully what the contract excludes, and remember the decision is hard to reverse.
Quick comparison
| Item | Public insurance (student rate) | Private insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Reduced contribution until 30, about €120–140 a month | Significantly more expensive, according to DAAD |
| Payment | Usually no upfront payment at the doctor | You often pay first and claim later |
| Benefits | Standard statutory cover | May be broader, depending on the contract |
| Reversibility | — | You cannot switch to public insurance during your studies |
Insurance from your home country?
German insurers recognise home-country insurance only where Germany has a social security agreement with your country — mostly EU/EEA states — confirmed by a certificate from a German public insurer.
If you work while studying
According to DAAD, a paid internship or part-time job requires German insurance. Tell your insurer about any job.
Practical steps
- Before travelling: buy travel insurance meeting your embassy’s conditions.
- After admission: choose a public insurer and ask for the insurance certificate for your university (Versicherungsbescheinigung).
- At enrolment: give the certificate to your university.
- Before turning 30: review your options, as the rate will change.
FAQ
Does student insurance cover language courses or the preparatory year? We found no official source settling this. Ask the insurer before travelling; you may need private cover until your degree starts.
Is public insurance mandatory, or can I choose? Insurance itself is mandatory. You can choose public or private, but choosing private is hard to reverse during your studies.