It is compulsory for students in Germany to have health insurance. Anyone wishing to study in Germany must have health insurance. Without valid health insurance, it is not possible to register at a German university.
Upon registration, all students must provide proof of insurance, which is valid throughout the whole semester or study period (September 1st to February 28th for the winter semester and March 1st to Augustst for the summer semester).
All Students are eligible for a student public health insurance plan. Currently those insurance companies charge around 60 Euro monthly.
Exceptions:
- Students over 30 years of age
- Students who have already completed their 14th semester
- Doctoral students
These students have to take out a private health insurance or take a voluntary insurance policy from the public insurance. Please note that the monthly rates for voluntary insurance will be higher than the normal student health insurance. Rates of private health insurance policies can differ from company to company.
Students from countries which have a social security agreement with Germany
Students from EU member states and from Croatia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, Tunesia, Turkey and former Yugoslavian countries do not need to take out a health insurance policy in Germany. They only need to bring along an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) from their insurance company.
Private health insurance
Students with private insurance from their home country need to bring a confirmation in English or German stating that it covers all costs in case of medical treatment and repatriation. Travel insurance is not sufficient for this purpose.
If you have a private insurance policy, you must obtain an exemption certificate from the public health insurance company (AOK). In this case, you are unable to switch to the public insurance during your whole study period in Germany.
Health Care
To be able to benefit from all the medical care, treatment and preventive measures offered by the health insurance system, you will be asked to present your health insurance card at your visit each quarter of the year. At your first visit in each quarter of the year you have to pay the "practice fee" of 10 Euro in cash.
In case of emergency or at night or weekends when you need to go to the emergency service, you will again have to pay the "practice fee" of 10 Euro in cash.
Medications
Medical drugs can be obtained from pharmacies (Apotheke). The co-payment for prescribed drugs is 5 to 10 Euros depending on the price of the medical drug.
For further information regarding health insurance: