• Study in Germany

Health Insurance in Germany for International Students

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By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Jun 10,2024 01:15 PM IST

Health insurance is necessary for all residents, including international students, which means you must have health insurance to study in Germany.
You can choose from public and private health insurance options for comprehensive coverage.
Both public and private health insurance in Germany cover essential medical needs, but you may have to explore more for specifics about dental, vision and pre-existing health conditions.

Health Insurance in Germany for International Students.webp

Do you know that Germany has one of the world's oldest national health insurance systems? That's right, and the health insurance system of Germany dates back to 1883. It was founded under the guidance of Otto von Bismarck, a rather famous public figure from Germany. This long-standing commitment to healthcare accessibility is one major reason why studying in Germany consistently ranks high in global healthcare rankings. And to keep the streak going, Germany requires all its citizens to have health insurance.

Yes, you read that right; health insurance is mandatory for everyone in Germany, including international students. Whether you are in Germany for one semester or several years, you must have health insurance to study there. The search for health insurance in Germany may perplex you if you don't have the correct information at hand, which is why this blog post contains information you may require to make well-informed decisions.

Why do Students Need Health Insurance in Germany?

Health insurance is mandatory by law in Germany for every resident, including international students. It is essential because healthcare in Germany is built on the principle of solidarity, which means everyone contributes financially to ensure access to good-quality medical services for all, regardless of income or health status. Germany came up with the idea of mandating health insurance to keep this system balanced and efficient.

In addition, you won't be able to get a student visa without proof of health insurance. To study in Germany, you must choose a health insurance plan that meets German health insurance standards.

Eligibility for Health Insurance in Germany (Public & Private)

You may have to decide on health insurance before finalising your enrolment at your desired German university. Luckily, there are two main options for health insurance in Germany: private and public. For both private and public health insurance, you may have to meet certain criteria, such as:

For Public Health Insurance, you must:

Be under the age of 30
Be pursuing a regular degree program
Submit the letter of acceptance from the university

For Private Health Insurance, you must:

You are over the age of 30
You will be pursuing a non-regular degree program
You are there as a PhD student, Guest Scientist, or Researcher

How to Apply for a Health Insurance in Germany?

Having health insurance is not that prevalent in India, which may make applying for one to study in Germany seem complicated or even pointless. It's not as futile as you think, though, given the protection you gain from the mountain of bills a hospital generates even on a single visit. The process is not that complicated if you keep the following steps in mind:

how to apply for health insurance in germany.webp

Check your eligibility	First, you must determine whether you are eligible for private or public health insurance.
Choose a health insurance provider	There are many health insurance providers that you can choose from, so do in-depth research on which providers offer the maximum benefits. For starters, you can compare the coverage, costs and benefits to find the provider that meets your expectations.
Fill out the application form	Once you decide which provider to choose, you can apply online at their website. Make sure to provide accurate information while applying.
Get your health insurance certificate	Once your application gets approved, you will receive a health insurance certificate from your provider. Keep in mind that you will be asked to show this certificate to enrol at the university of your choice.
Pay insurance premiums	As per the rules, you will be asked to pay the insurance premiums upon getting a health insurance certificate. The amount and frequency will depend on the plan and provider you choose.

Is Health Insurance Free in Germany?

Education is free in Germany (in public institutions, at least), which makes everyone ponder whether there are any such options for health insurance. Sadly, there are none. There is no such option for free healthcare insurance in Germany for international students, but it is highly subsidised if that helps. Germany wants to make healthcare affordable for everyone; hence, if you cannot afford insurance, you can discuss the financial aid options with the German National Association for Student Affairs. In addition, several factors affect the affordability of a health insurance plan, such as:

Factors	How it affects affordability
Age	Public insurance is generally only available for students under the age of 30, leaving private health insurance as the only option for students over 30. Therefore, private health insurance can be more expensive for older students.
Health Status	Having a pre-existing health condition dramatically affects the eligibility and cost of the health insurance plan.
Coverage Level	A health insurance plan with more coverage is ought to cost you more than the regular one.

These are just some general factors, and you may have to deal with other factors as well, depending on your health insurance provider. The cost also varies for different health insurance providers, but how much does it cost to have health insurance in Germany? Let's figure out.

Cost of Health Insurance in Germany for International Students

Public health insurance indeed gives you leverage over private health insurance as it offers comprehensive coverage at lower costs. What's more, there are many public health insurance options in Germany for international students like you. Here's a list of some public health insurance providers that you can consider applying for:

Health Insurance Providers	Health Insurance Contribution (€) Per Month
BKK firmus	90.29
BKK Gildemeister Seidensticker	100-120
HKK Krankenkasse	90.94
IKK gesund plus	95.09
Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)	92.73
Audi BKK	91.11

You will also find many options for private health insurance providers. Some schemes start from as low as €90, but the cost increases depending on your chosen provider and insurance policy.

Both private and public health insurance offer apt coverage, but it is important to know what kind of coverage you must look for while applying.

Health Insurance Coverage in Germany

While searching for insurance, ensuring that your insurance covers all the essential aspects is important. Generally, a health insurance plan covers all the essential medication requirements such as doctor visits, hospital stays, etc, but there are more things that you must look out for in your plan. Of course, coverage depends on the provider and the type of health insurance, but there are some aspects that your plan must cover, such as:

Health Insurance coverage in germany.webp

Type	Description
Medical treatment	Ensure your health insurance covers all the medically necessary treatments, doctor visits, specialists, and medical exams.
Hospital stays	Your insurance must cover inpatient hospital stays, surgeries, and necessary medical procedures.
Prescription medications	Students often overlook prescriptions and drug coverage when deciding on health insurance, so make sure yours covers prescription medications.
Preventive care	Coverage of preventive services like vaccination and health screenings is also important.
Emergency services	Look for a plan offering coverage for medical emergencies, ambulance services and emergency room visits.
Mental health services	Coverage for mental health treatments and counselling sessions.
Dental care	Many health insurance companies provide partial dental coverage. For example, public health insurance may cover basic dental care for students up to age 21. On the other hand, private health insurance may also cover additional dental coverage with extra charges, which you can learn about by reading your health insurance plan.
Vision care	A health insurance plan covering partial or complete vision care is a plus.
Physical therapy	If possible, look for insurance that also covers physical therapy and rehabilitation services.

Some public health insurance in Germany for international students covers you even if you have pre-existing health conditions. However, private health insurance usually does not cover your pre-existing health conditions or charge extra.

Is it possible to Switch or Terminate Health Insurance?

Many students have this same question- can we switch between private and public health insurance? Or can we terminate the health insurance plan after completion of studies? Honestly, it depends. There could be any reason for switching or terminating a health insurance plan, but there are some conditions that you may have to meet to do so. Here's a breakdown of when and how you can switch your health insurance plan or terminate it altogether:

Scenario	Resolution
You wish to switch your public health insurance to private health insurance.	If you have qualified for public health insurance, you may be able to switch to private health insurance after a certain period. But beware: as there is no going back to it, it is nearly impossible to switch back to public health insurance. You can only switch back to public insurance if you meet all the eligibility criteria again.
You wish to terminate your health insurance.	Although most students settle in Germany, but if you do wish to return to your country, you can terminate your health insurance. The process is simple; all you have to do is bring it to your insurance company's attention, and they will terminate the insurance. To be on the safer side, you must ask them to provide proof of your health insurance's termination. There's another scenario where you may need to terminate your health insurance- while changing insurance. You don't actually have to manually terminate the existing plan though, as the new provider typically communicates with the old insurance company.

Conclusion

And with this, you have secured an essential piece for a successful and worry-free studying adventure in Germany. Remember, health insurance is a necessity, not a requirement. Moreover, it is an investment for your own well-being that may grant you access to high-quality healthcare, peace of mind, and freedom to focus on your academic journey.

Now, with your health covered and your excitement building, Germany awaits! Make the most of your time, enjoy new things, embrace the new culture, and get ready to go on an unforgettable voyage. Canam is here as your trusted navigator to help you sail through the storm (application processes) effortlessly. Contact the team of study abroad consultants at Canam to get more details about health insurance in Germany for international students.

FAQ

Can I get financial aid for health insurance?

If you can't afford public health insurance premiums, you might be eligible for financial aid from the German National Association for Student Affairs.

Can I switch between public and private insurance?

Switching from public to private health insurance might be an option later in your studies, but it's not always that simple. Moreover, once you transition from public to private health insurance, it becomes challenging to transition back into public health insurance.

Do I need health insurance in Germany?

Yes, because all German residents must have health insurance, and international students are no exception. Without proof of health insurance, you won't be able to secure a student visa to study in Germany.

How long does it take to get health insurance?

Processing times can vary, but it's relatively fast. Public insurance approval can come within a week, while private insurance might take longer, depending on your situation.

How to apply for Health Insurance?

The application process for health insurance is simple. Here's a breakdown:

Check Eligibility to determine if you qualify for public or private insurance based on age and program type.
Explore different providers and plans within your chosen category (public or private). Look for factors like coverage details, cost, and customer service reputation.
Apply for the chosen insurance online.
Once the application is approved, you must pay the monthly premiums according to your chosen plan.

What does health insurance cover?

Health insurance provides comprehensive coverage for medically necessary treatments, doctor visits, specialist consultations, medical exams, etc.

What if I have a pre-existing health condition?

Public insurance generally covers pre-existing health conditions, but private companies may exclude them or charge higher premiums.

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Health Insurance in Germany for International Students

Table of Contents

Why do Students Need Health Insurance in Germany?

Eligibility for Health Insurance in Germany (Public & Private)

For Public Health Insurance, you must:

For Private Health Insurance, you must:

How to Apply for a Health Insurance in Germany?

Is Health Insurance Free in Germany?

Cost of Health Insurance in Germany for International Students

Health Insurance Coverage in Germany

Is it possible to Switch or Terminate Health Insurance?

Conclusion

FAQ

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