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All of your Germany related questions answered in one place.

What Health Insurance do I need to enroll in my German university?

Rojbin
Updated

In Germany, Health Insurance is mandatory. Anyone who works, lives or studies in Germany must have Health Insurance. As a student, you generally have two options for Health Insurance:

Public (statutory) Health Insurance and Private Substitutive Health Insurance.

Public Health Insurance:

  • Eligibility: Students who are under 30 years can apply. Students 30 or above are not eligible for Public Health Insurance in this case via Expatrio.
  • Cost: The monthly premium for students with TK is €126.71 for students under 22, and €131.84 for students under 30. This covers most medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospital treatments, and prescriptions.
  • Benefits: Comprehensive coverage, accepted by most healthcare providers, and predictable costs.

Private Substitutive Health Insurance for students under 37 years old:

  • Eligibility: Students who are under 37 years can apply for Private health insurance. (Students 30 or above are not eligible for Public Health Insurance in this case via Expatrio. )
  • Cost: The monthly premium for students with ottonova is €119.91 for students under 30, and €139.02 for students under 37 . This covers most medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospital treatments, and prescriptions. 
  • Benefits: Access to private and public doctors, often shorter waiting times, advanced dental care and orthodontics.

Private Substitutive Health Insurance for students over 37 years old:

  • Eligibility: Students who above 37 also must apply for Private Health Insurance as they are not eligible for Public Health Insurance in this case via Expatrio.
  • Cost: The monthly premium for students with DR-WALTER Provisit Student is different depending on the age. This covers most medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospital treatments, and prescriptions. Please read here for detail pricing information.
  • Benefits: Access to private and public doctors, often shorter waiting times, advanced dental care and orthodontics.

Exemption from Public Insurance: If you want to choose Private Health Insurance, you must apply for an exemption from the Public Health Insurance system. This decision is binding for the duration of your studies in Germany. Expatrio submits this exemption form for you after your substitutive private health insurance application is approved, so you do not have to do this yourself.

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