Health insurance is mandatory for every student in Germany. You cannot enroll at a university, receive a residence permit, or even register your address without valid health insurance.

For the student visa application, you need to show proof of health insurance that meets specific German legal requirements.

However, the insurance required for the visa (travel insurance) is different from the insurance required after you arrive (statutory health insurance).

This article explains the two types of health insurance, the providers that are accepted, the age limit (30 years old), and how to obtain the correct certificates for your visa application and university enrollment.

The two types of health insurance for international students

German law distinguishes between two phases: the period before you enroll at the university (including the visa application and the first few weeks after arrival) and the period after you are enrolled as a student.

Different insurance applies to each phase.

Type 1: Travel health insurance (for the visa application and initial entry)

This is short-term insurance that covers you from your intended date of entry into Germany until the start of your statutory health insurance (usually the first day of the semester or the date you enroll).

Travel insurance must meet the following requirements to be accepted by the German embassy:

  • Valid for the entire Schengen area (not just Germany).
  • Coverage of at least €30,000 for medical expenses, emergency hospital treatment, and repatriation (transport back to your home country in case of death or serious illness).
  • No deductible (Selbstbehalt) or a low deductible (generally accepted if below €500).
  • Valid for the entire duration between your planned entry and the start of your statutory insurance – usually 90 days to 6 months.

Popular travel insurance providers that German embassies accept include: AXA Schengen, Allianz Travel, HanseMerkur, Mawista, Care Concept, and Dr.

Walter. You can purchase these policies online from your home country. The cost is typically €30-50 per month for a 3-month policy, or €150-250 for a 6-month policy.

For the visa application, you need a certificate of insurance (Versicherungsbescheinigung) showing the start date, coverage amount, and that the policy meets Schengen requirements.

Type 2: Statutory health insurance (for enrollment and residence permit)

Once you are enrolled at a German university, you must switch to statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung – GKV) if you are under 30 years old.

Statutory insurance is the standard German public health system. The main providers (Krankenkassen) are:

  • Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) – very popular among international students due to excellent English-language service.
  • AOK (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse) – regional branches (e.g., AOK Baden-Württemberg, AOK Bayern).
  • Barmer
  • DAK-Gesundheit
  • KKH

As of 2026, the monthly premium for statutory health insurance for students is approximately €130-150 (about €120-130 plus a nursing care insurance component of €30-40).

This covers doctor visits, hospital stays, prescription medications (with small co-pays), mental health services, and preventive care.

Statutory insurance does not cover dental treatments beyond basic check-ups and fillings (major work like crowns or implants requires private insurance).

The age limit: under 30 vs. over 30

The most important factor determining which insurance you can get is your age at the time of enrollment:

  • Under 30 years old: You are eligible for statutory health insurance (GKV) at the reduced student rate (about €130-150/month). The university will require proof of statutory insurance before allowing you to enroll.
  • 30 years or older: You cannot join statutory health insurance as a student. You must instead purchase private health insurance (Private Krankenversicherung – PKV) specifically designed for students. Private insurance is generally more expensive (€180-300/month) and offers different coverage levels. Many students over 30 choose expatriate plans like Mawista, Care Concept, Dr. Walter, or Ottonova. These are not full German statutory plans, but they are accepted for enrollment and residence permit purposes. However, they may have coverage limits (e.g., no coverage for pre-existing conditions, annual caps). Carefully read the policy terms.

What about private insurance for students under 30?

Students under 30 can technically choose private insurance instead of statutory insurance, but this is almost always a bad idea.

Private insurance may offer lower premiums initially (e.g., €60-80/month), but it often excludes pre-existing conditions, requires you to pay for treatments upfront and seek reimbursement, and does not cover certain services (like mental health counseling).

Moreover, once you opt out of statutory insurance, it is very difficult to switch back later (you may be stuck with private insurance for the rest of your time in Germany).

The German government strongly encourages statutory insurance for students. The visa section and the Ausländerbehörde will prefer to see a statutory insurance certificate.

How to obtain the correct insurance certificates

For the visa application (travel insurance)

Purchase a travel insurance policy online. Ensure the policy explicitly states that it meets the requirements of the German Embassy or the Schengen Visa Code.

After purchase, you will receive a PDF certificate (often called a "Schengen Visa Insurance Certificate").

Print this certificate and include it in your visa application. Some embassies also accept a preliminary confirmation from a German statutory insurer (see below), but travel insurance is simpler.

For university enrollment and residence permit (statutory insurance)

After you arrive in Germany but before you enroll, contact one of the statutory providers (e.g., TK, AOK, Barmer).

You can do this online or by visiting their office. They will ask for:

  • Your passport.
  • Your university admission letter (or enrollment confirmation).
  • Your German address (Anmeldung not required yet).
  • Your bank account information (for monthly premium deductions).

The provider will issue a Student Health Insurance Certificate (Versicherungsbescheinigung für Studenten).

This certificate confirms that you are covered by statutory insurance from the start of the semester (or a specified date).

You must submit this certificate to your university to complete enrollment. Without it, you cannot enroll.

The university will also send a copy to the Ausländerbehörde as part of your residence permit application.

What if I already have private insurance from my home country?

Private insurance from outside Germany is generally not accepted for the residence permit.

There are limited exceptions for students from EU countries (who can use their European Health Insurance Card – EHIC) and for students with certain scholarships.

For non-EU students, you must purchase German statutory insurance (or German private insurance if over 30).

Your home country's policy, no matter how comprehensive, will not be recognized by the Ausländerbehörde because it does not comply with German social security laws.

What is the "exemption from statutory insurance" (Befreiung)?

If you have private insurance (e.g., because you are over 30 or because you have a high-income scholarship), you must apply for an exemption from statutory insurance (Befreiung von der gesetzlichen Krankenversicherungspflicht).

You apply for the exemption at any statutory health insurer (e.g., TK). Once granted, the exemption is permanent for the duration of your studies – you cannot switch to statutory insurance later.

The exemption letter must be presented to your university and the Ausländerbehörde.

Cost comparison: statutory vs. private

| Insurance type | Monthly cost (2026) | Coverage | Best for | |----------------|---------------------|----------|----------| | Statutory (TK, AOK, Barmer) – under 30 | €130-150 | Comprehensive: doctor, hospital, prescriptions, mental health, preventive care | Most students under 30 | | Statutory – over 30 | Not available | N/A | N/A | | Private student plan (Mawista, Care Concept) – under 30 | €60-90 | Limited: may exclude pre-existing conditions, no dental, may have deductibles | Students on a tight budget (but risks) | | Private student plan – over 30 | €180-300 | Varies widely; can be comprehensive or basic | Students over 30 |

Recommendation: If you are under 30, choose statutory health insurance from TK or AOK.

The extra monthly cost (€60 more than cheap private plans) is worth it for the peace of mind, especially because statutory insurance covers mental health services (therapy) – which many international students need due to stress – and pre-existing conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes).

If you are over 30, compare quotes from Mawista, Care Concept, and Dr.

Walter. Check that the policy offers unlimited coverage and at least €30,000 in benefits.

Avoid policies that have daily limits (e.g., €50 per doctor visit) or annual caps below €500,000.