Which health insurance do I need as a student in Germany?
The short answer: If you enrol at a state or state-recognised university in Germany, you are usually insured in the public student insurance until you turn 30 [1]. In 2026 this costs about 148 euros a month [2]. Your university enrols you only after your insurer has reported your status electronically [3].
Public or private?
- Students at state or state-recognised universities are insured in a public health insurance fund (gesetzliche Krankenkasse), at the latest until they turn 30. After that only if there are special reasons [1].
- You can apply to be exempted within three months, for example if you have private insurance. The exemption covers your whole degree and cannot be withdrawn [4].
- If you are insured in another EU or EEA country, your European Health Insurance Card usually counts. You still need a certificate from a German public insurer for your enrolment [5].
- Participants of preparatory courses and Studienkollegs need health insurance as well [5].
What does it cost?
- In 2026 the student rate is 87.38 euros a month for health insurance plus the additional contribution of your insurer [2].
- Long-term care insurance adds 35.91 euros a month if you have no children, from the month after you turn 23. Otherwise it is 30.78 euros [2] [6].
- With the average additional rate of 2.9 percent this makes about 148 euros a month [2].
What do I need before I arrive?
- Before enrolment you have to prove your insurance status. On request, your insurer reports it electronically to the university [3].
- From arrival until enrolment you need other cover. The German embassy in Beirut, for example, asks students for travel health insurance until enrolment and study applicants for private insurance for the whole visa period [7].
Frequently asked questions
I am over 30. What now?
Can I switch from private back to public insurance later?
Not while you study. The exemption applies to your whole degree and cannot be withdrawn [4].
Sources
- Social Code Book V (SGB V), section 5 (1) no. 9, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_5/__5.html
- GKV-Spitzenverband, Rechengrößen 2026 (PDF, in German), retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.gkv-spitzenverband.de/media/dokumente/presse/zahlen_und_grafiken/20260101_Faktenblatt_Rechengroessen_Beitragsrecht.pdf
- Social Code Book V (SGB V), section 199a, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_5/__199a.html
- Social Code Book V (SGB V), section 8, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_5/__8.html
- DAAD, health insurance, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.daad.de/en/studying-in-germany/living-in-germany/health-insurance/
- Social Code Book XI (SGB XI), section 55, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_11/__55.html
- German Embassy Beirut, visa for study (in German), as of 2 February 2026, retrieved 15 October 2026. https://beirut.diplo.de/lb-de/service/05-visaeinreise/2543980-2543980
The ClioAI editorial team · Published 15 October 2026 · Last checked 15 October 2026
This text was written with AI assistance and reviewed by the ClioAI editorial team. How our texts are made (in German). Spotted a mistake? Write to kontakt@getclio.ai.
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This page gives a general overview and is not legal advice. Binding are the German Social Code and the information from your health insurer.
