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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    DAK-Gesundheit (university studies, M10 included)ab nur ca. 135,52 € / Monat (unbegrenzt)

    Switching Health Insurance: From Language Course to Studies in Germany

    4–6 weeks before
    register new insurer
    M10 to university
    filed automatically
    Cancel Care College
    no gap, no double pay

    Sources: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V · § 8 SGB V · § 199a SGB V (M10) · § 5 AufenthG · HanseMerkur Care College / Care Student AVB · DAK-Gesundheit contribution statement 2025

    On the day of immatriculation at a German university, the language-course tariff Care College stops being recognised as the primary cover — statutory insurance becomes mandatory under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V. For under-30s the standard switch is DAK-Studenten with the M10 electronic notification (§ 199a SGB V) filed automatically; for over-30s, GKV-exempt students and PhD candidates it is Care Student from €101.54/month (up to 5 years) after a § 8 SGB V exemption.

    If your language course ends before the semester starts, Care College from €27.50/month (up to 5 years) is monthly cancellable and can simply bridge 1–2 extra months — Care College runs continuously including holidays, so the residence permit (§ 5 AufenthG) is never at risk. The full language-course mistakes guide is in the language course before study guide, and the over-30 switch logic is in the age-30 / student tariff guide.

    Below: the exact 4–6 week timing, how the M10 notification reaches the university, when to keep Care College for the bridging period, why the § 8 SGB V exemption is irrevocable, the five most common switch mistakes that block the immatriculation, and the full Care College / Care Student / DAK price tables.

    Student Coverage

    DAK-Gesundheit or HanseMerkur student options

    Enrollment Proof

    M10 notification for eligible university enrollment flows

    Visa & University Documents

    Receive confirmation for visa or enrollment steps where applicable

    4.9/5

    Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009

    Language course ending and university starting? Switch in 5 minutes — DAK or Care Student, M10 notification filed automatically.

    🏛️ Authority-approved📄 Instant proof🔒 DAK / HanseMerkur🏷️ Transparent pricing
    4.9/5· Since 2009 · 10,000+ policies· Since 2009 · Over 10,000 policies issued

    Five typical mistakes when switching from language course to studies

    Quick answer: "Why was my immatriculation blocked at the start of the semester?" — most files share one of five issues: registering the new insurer too late so M10 misses the university deadline; filing a § 8 SGB V exemption without understanding it is irrevocable; cancelling Care College too early and creating a coverage gap; cancelling too late and paying two months double; or assuming Care College stays valid as primary cover after immatriculation without an exemption.

    Avoid the mistakes that can delay your application

    Enrollment can stall without M10

    DAK Student and Care Student support electronic M10 notification for eligible university enrollment flows.

    Under 30 or over 30?

    DAK Student fits many students up to age 29; Care Student can fit private student coverage up to age 39.

    Private or statutory confusion

    Choosing the wrong route can create extra steps. Check statutory, private and exemption rules before applying.

    Language school is different

    Care College is better for language school, Studienkolleg, DSH and educational stays — not M10 university enrollment.

    What missing the M10 deadline actually costs

    One wrong insurance choice can cost you money, time and your application deadline

    A medical incident can become expensive fast — but the wrong certificate can also delay your visa, enrollment, residence permit or work start.

    🏥

    €500–€1,500

    Emergency doctor visit

    One urgent doctor or emergency-room visit can already create a painful bill — before tests, medication or follow-up treatment are added.

    🏨

    €2,000–€10,000+

    Hospital treatment

    If observation, surgery, overnight stay or specialist treatment is needed, costs can quickly move from hundreds to thousands of euros.

    🎓

    1 missed M10

    Enrollment can get stuck

    For university enrollment, the wrong insurance route can delay the electronic M10 notification to your university.

    • Wrong or incomplete proof can delay your visa, enrollment or authority process.
    • Cheap home-country policies may miss the exact coverage, dates or repatriation wording required.
    • The cheapest policy can become expensive if it is the wrong proof for your situation.

    Before you apply, check: coverage amount, validity dates, destination area and repatriation cover.

    Semester start fixed — register 4–6 weeks before so M10 reaches the university in time

    Why act before university enrollment

    University enrollment can depend on the right insurance route. Waiting too long can delay M10 notification or create extra steps.

    🎓

    M10 timing matters

    DAK Student and Care Student can support M10 university enrollment flows where applicable.

    📄

    Wrong route creates delays

    Language school, Studienkolleg and DSH usually need Care College, not the university M10 route.

    ⚡

    Apply before enrollment pressure

    Prepare insurance proof before the university or visa office asks for it urgently.

    ✅

    Under 30 or over 30?

    DAK Student and Care Student serve different student situations. Check age and eligibility before applying.

    From language course to immatriculation — in 3 steps

    10 minutes online. DAK-Gesundheit or Care Student registers the new cover and files the M10 notification within 1–3 working days. Cancel Care College for the exact start day of the new cover — no coverage gap, no double payment, no risk to the residence permit.

    Ready for university enrollment in 3 steps

    DAK Student or Care Student for university enrollment, M10 notification and proof of coverage.

    1. Choose your student plan

      DAK statutory student cover up to age 29 · Care Student private student cover up to age 39. For language school or Studienkolleg, use Care College.

    2. Complete the application

      Enter your passport, university/program and stay details. M10 applies to DAK Student and Care Student university enrollment flows.

    3. Receive your proof

      Receive visa or insurance proof after application; where applicable, the electronic M10 notification can be sent to the university.

    What students say about the switch from Care College to DAK or Care Student

    4.9/5 · Since 2009 · Over 10,000 policies issued
    5/5
    “My biggest worry was that the embassy wouldn't accept the insurance.
    The proof was accepted immediately — no questions asked.
    That saved me a lot of stress.”
    Georges from Cameroon

    Georges

    Cameroon

    5/5
    “I needed proof of insurance urgently for my visa appointment.
    The confirmation arrived within minutes by email.
    Everything worked first time at the embassy.”
    Olga from Russia

    Olga

    Russia

    5/5
    “Found the best solution and best service for health insurance for foreign visitors and guests in Germany.
    Fast, simple and affordable.
    Highly recommended!”
    Michael from Germany

    Michael

    Germany

    5/5
    “The online sign-up was done in just a few minutes.
    When I actually had to see a doctor, the billing went smoothly.
    I was really covered — not just on paper.”
    Yunhee from Australia

    Yunhee

    Australia

    Now choose your plan

    4.9/5 · Since 2009 · Over 10,000 policies issued

    Full price tables — all brackets by age & duration

    Quick answer: The three tariffs that matter for the switch: Care College (€27.50–138/month) for the language-course and bridging phase, then DAK-Gesundheit (~€135.52/month) for under-30 studies, or Care Student (€101.54/month) for over-30 / GKV-exempt / PhD.

    Care College — language course + bridging phase

    Monthly cancellable, runs continuously including holidays. Bridges any gap between language-course end and semester start:

    Care College
    Basic
    BestsellerComfort
    Premium
    Deductible / yr
    120,–
    Deductible / yr
    0,–
    Deductible / yr
    0,–
    Months 1–24 monthup to 29 yrs (€ / month) 27,50 34,– 48,–
    Months 1–24 monthfrom 30 yrs (€ / month) 33,50 50,– 75,–
    From 25th monthup to 29 yrs (€ / month) 49,50 57,– 73,–
    From 25th monthfrom 30 yrs (€ / month) 55,– 73,– 99,–

    All prices per month/person in euros. Deductible applies per insurance year. Maximum entry age 40. As of 2026.

    Care Student — GKV-equivalent (over 30 / GKV-exempt / PhD)

    Total €101.54/month: CCS €35 + PVN €58.04 + Pflege €8.50. Includes M10 notification, accepted by the university after § 8 SGB V exemption:

    Care Student
    Health insurance
    for students
    Compulsory long-term care
    for students
    		 Total
    12–29 years 69,62 € / month 31,92 € / month 101,54 € / month
    30–39 years 95,68 € / month 31,92 € / month 127,60 € / month

    All prices per month/person in euros. Health insurance deductible: €300 per calendar year. Entry age 12–39, term up to 60 months. Premium guarantee for the full term. As of 2026.

    DAK-Gesundheit — three statutory student tariffs

    All three GKV variants include automatic M10 notification to the university:

    Insured benefits
    DAK-Gesundheit
    BestsellerDAK + Garantietarif 120
    DAK + Fit & Travel
    up to age 23 €145.52 / month €145.52€135.52 / month €145.52 / month
    up to age 29, childless €150.65 / month €150.65€140.65 / month €150.65 / month
    up to age 29, with 1 child €145.52 / month €145.52€135.52 / month €145.52 / month
    Bonus / extra benefit — saves €120/year free for under 39

    Contribution incl. long-term care insurance (childless from age 23). Garantietarif 120: €120 contribution refund per year if no claims are filed. Fit & Travel: free for insured persons under 39. Entry age up to 29, term for the duration of studies (max. 14 specialist semesters / age 30). As of 2026.

    Sources: DAK-Gesundheit contribution statement 2025, Care Concept AG tariff tables 2024/25, HanseMerkur AVB. The exact price is calculated in the online application.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How do I switch health insurance from a German language course to a full study?

    On day 1 of Immatrikulation, Care College (from €27.50/month) ends automatically. Under 30: activate DAK-Studenten (~€135.52/month) — M10 sent to the university within minutes. Over 30: activate Care Student (€101.54/month, GKV-equivalent under § 8 SGB V).

    Can I extend Care College when I move from language course to university in Germany?

    Care College is valid for language course, Studienkolleg and pre-enrolment phases only (1–60 months, from €27.50/month). Once you are officially enrolled at a university, you must switch to DAK-Studenten (under 30) or Care Student (over 30 / GKV-exempt).

    Is my language course insurance enough for the student residence permit in Germany?

    Only during the language / Studienkolleg phase (§ 16f AufenthG). From day 1 of Immatrikulation under § 16b AufenthG, the Ausländerbehörde requires GKV or GKV-equivalent proof — DAK-Studenten (M10 automatic) or Care Student (€101.54/month).

    Do I need to inform the Ausländerbehörde about switching from language course to study?

    Yes — the residence permit changes from § 16f (language / Studienkolleg) to § 16b AufenthG (Immatrikulation). The new insurance certificate — DAK-Studenten M10 or Care Student PDF — is filed together with the new Immatrikulationsbescheinigung.

    What health insurance does my German university accept after a language course?

    GKV: DAK-Studenten (~€135.52/month, M10 automatic under § 199a SGB V) — the standard route for under-30 students. Private / GKV-equivalent: Care Student (€101.54/month) — the standard route for over 30, PhD candidates or § 8 SGB V exemption cases.

    Do I need to switch insurance when moving from language school to university in Germany?

    Yes. During language courses (Deutschkurs), most students use incoming insurance like Care College from €27.50/month. Once you enrol at a German university, you typically need to switch to statutory health insurance (GKV, ~€135.52/month at DAK-Gesundheit) or apply for an irrevocable exemption and stay privately insured (e.g. Care Student at €101.54/month). The university requires an electronic M10 certificate for matriculation. → DAK student health insurance — instant M10

    How do I avoid a coverage gap between language school and university in Germany?

    Start your GKV application 4–6 weeks before enrolment. The GKV sends an electronic confirmation (M10) directly to the university. Keep your Care College policy active until the GKV membership officially starts — Care College is cancellable monthly, so the transition is seamless. Never let coverage lapse for a single day, otherwise you risk problems at the next residence-permit renewal. → Care College — bridge cover

    What is the cheapest health insurance for international students in Germany after a language course?

    For students under 30 enrolled at a German university, the DAK-Gesundheit student tariff at approximately €135.52/month is the standard statutory option (Garantietarif 120 saves €120/year). For students over 30, with a GKV exemption, or PhD candidates, Care Student at €101.54/month is the GKV-equivalent private alternative — recognised under § 8 SGB V. → Care Student — for 30+ and PhD