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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    Care Expatriate — bridge after de-enrollmentfrom €58/month (up to 5 years)
    14 days after de-enrollment — miss it and voluntary GKV is gone for good

    De-Enrollment in Germany: What Happens to Health Insurance When Student Status Ends

    4.9/5 · Over 10,000 policies since 2009
    De-enrollment from a German university — what happens to health insurance when student status ends
    Path A: Job
    DAK · 17.8%
    Path B: § 20b
    €58/mo · 18 mo
    Path C: Voluntary GKV
    14-day deadline

    Sources: § 9 SGB V (voluntary GKV continuation) · § 20b AufenthG (job-seeking permit after German degree) · § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V (employee GKV) · § 10 SGB V (family insurance) · HanseMerkur Care Expatriate AVB · DAK-Gesundheit operations 2025

    When the German university de-enrolls you, three paths stay legally open — but only one stays open after the 14th day:

    1. AStarting an employed job: DAK-Gesundheit for employees 17.8% of gross (open-ended) — the employer enrols you automatically (§ 5 SGB V), half of the contribution paid by the employer.
    2. BJob-seeking under § 20b AufenthG (up to 18 months) or freelancing: Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) — recognised by the Ausländerbehörde for residence-permit renewal, PDF certificate by email in minutes, monthly cancellable when employment starts.
    3. CVoluntary GKV continuation (~€210–230/month): available only if you apply within 14 days of the de-enrollment date (§ 9 SGB V). Miss this window and voluntary GKV is gone — only employer-GKV or private incoming remain. See also the transition-to-job guide.

    De-enrollment certificate already in hand? 30-second tariff finder →

    Inside: the 14-day rule that decides 10 years of GKV access · the § 20b permit no career advisor mentions · why the Ausländerbehörde rejects PDFs from one specific insurer

    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

    De-enrollment date set? Take out Care Expatriate the same day so the Ausländerbehörde sees zero gap in coverage.

    🏛️ 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 after de-enrollment

    Quick answer: "I lost my student status — what now?" — most graduates run into one of five issues: assuming the GKV student tariff continues for a few weeks; missing the 14-day voluntary-GKV deadline; applying for a § 20b job-seeking permit without an insurance certificate; cancelling the student tariff before the new cover starts; or ignoring that the Ausländerbehörde will not renew the residence permit without proof of continuous insurance.

    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 a single uninsured day after de-enrollment 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.

    De-enrollment certificate already issued? Care Expatriate delivers the recognised PDF in minutes

    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.

    Bridge the gap — in 3 steps

    10 minutes online, certificate by email, recognised by the Ausländerbehörde. Take out Care Expatriate the same day the de-enrollment date is fixed, switch to DAK-Gesundheit on day 1 of a new employment contract — see also the transition-to-job guide.

    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 graduates say about Care Expatriate as a bridge after de-enrollment from a German university

    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 — bridge cover and employer GKV

    Quick answer: The two products that get you safely past de-enrollment: Care Expatriate from €58/month (1–60 months, recognised for § 20b AufenthG and Ausländerbehörde renewals) for the bridge phase, and DAK-Gesundheit (employees) at ~17.8% of gross when a regular employment contract starts.

    Bridge phase — Care Expatriate (job-seeking, freelance, post-graduation)

    Three tiers (Basic / Comfort / Premium), 1–60 months, monthly cancellable so it ends cleanly on the day a new employment contract starts the GKV — recognised by the Ausländerbehörde:

    Care Expatriateworldwide without USA, Canada and Mexico
    Basic
    BestsellerComfort
    Premium
    Deductible / yr
    150,–
    Deductible / yr
    150,–
    Deductible / yr
    500,–
    Deductible / yr
    0,–
    Deductible / yr
    500,–
    Deductible / yr
    1.000,–
    Entry age:0–12 (€ / month) 64,– 104,– 81,– 191,– 149,– 117,–
    Entry age:13–40 (€ / month) 58,– 84,– 63,– 181,– 141,– 109,–
    Entry age:41–60 (€ / month) 68,– 103,– 77,– 256,– 201,– 156,–
    Entry age:61–74 (€ / month) 246,– 322,– 248,– 432,– 336,– 263,–

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

    New job — DAK-Gesundheit (employees)

    ~17.8% of gross income (half paid by the employer), automatic enrolment from day 1 of the contract, family insurance for spouse and children free of charge under § 10 SGB V:

    DAK-Gesundheit for employees (statutory)
    General contribution rate
    14.6 % of gross
    + 3.2 % DAK supplement = 17.8 %
    Employer / employee share
    8.9 % each
    Paid 50/50
    Compulsory long-term care
    approx. 3.6 % standard
    4.2 % childless from age 23 · reductions depending on number of children
    Total (incl. care, childless)
    ≈ 22.0 % of gross
    Depending on long-term care variant
    Family co-insurance
    possible
    Spouse & children covered under statutory conditions
    Sickness pay (Krankengeld)
    from day 43
    70 % of gross, max 78 weeks
    Compulsory insurance limit (JAEG)
    €77,400 / year
    = €6,450 / month (as of 2026)
    Income-based
    No flat rate — contribution scales with gross salary
    Family covered free
    Spouse without income + children co-insured
    Mandatory under JAEG
    Gross < €77,400 / year → statutory insurance required

    2026 contribution rates: 14.6 % general + 3.2 % DAK supplement = 17.8 %; split 50/50 between employer and employee (8.9 % each). Compulsory long-term care approx. 3.6 % standard, 4.2 % childless from age 23, reductions depending on number of children. Family co-insurance possible under statutory conditions. As of 2026.

    Sources: HanseMerkur Care Expatriate AVB, DAK-Gesundheit Beitragssatzordnung 2025, § 5 / § 9 / § 10 SGB V, § 20b AufenthG. The exact price is calculated in the online application.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What happens to student health insurance after exmatriculation in Germany?

    DAK-Studenten (~€135.52/month) and Care Student (€101.54/month) both end within 14 days of exmatriculation. You must arrange follow-on cover — voluntary GKV (~€210–240/month) or private Care Expatriate (from €58/month) — before the university's M10 close-out notification.

    How long after exmatriculation is health insurance still valid in Germany?

    Up to 14 days by default under § 190 SGB V. After that DAK-Studenten (~€135.52/month) ends automatically. A coverage gap can jeopardise the residence permit under § 5 AufenthG, so a follow-on such as Care Expatriate (from €58/month) should be active on day 15 at the latest.

    Can I stay in Germany after exmatriculation without health insurance?

    No — continuous cover is a legal requirement (Krankenversicherungspflicht applies to every residence title). Typically Care Expatriate (from €58/month) during job-search under § 20 AufenthG, or GKV via a new employer (~17.8% of gross).

    Does GKV extend automatically after student status ends in Germany?

    No — gKV members must actively apply for voluntary continuation (freiwillige Weiterversicherung, ~€210–240/month) within 14 days of exmatriculation. Missing this deadline forces a switch to private cover — Care Expatriate from €58/month is the recognised alternative.

    Is Care Expatriate accepted after exmatriculation in Germany?

    Care Expatriate (from €58/month, ages 18–29; up to €496/month age 65–74 XL) runs 1–60 months, has €0 deductible and is regularly accepted by the Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG for post-study residence permits including the job-search permit under § 20 AufenthG.

    What happens to health insurance when a student is exmatriculated in Germany?

    The student health insurance tariff ends with exmatriculation. You must immediately arrange follow-up coverage: voluntary public insurance (GKV), employer-based insurance if starting a job, or private incoming insurance like Care Expatriate (from €58/month). A gap in coverage can jeopardize your residence permit.

    Can I stay in Germany after exmatriculation to look for a job?

    Yes, under §20b AufenthG you may apply for a job-seeking residence permit (up to 18 months). However, you must maintain continuous health insurance coverage. Care Expatriate (from €58/month, up to 60 months) or voluntary GKV are typical options during the job search.

    How much does health insurance cost after losing student status in Germany?

    Voluntary public insurance (GKV) starts at approximately €210–230/month. A more affordable alternative is Care Expatriate (from €58/month, up to 60 months) — an incoming insurance accepted for residence permit renewals. You can compare options via the Tariffinder.