Health Insurance for International PhD Candidates in Germany
- Stipend / 30+ / § 16b research: Care Expatriate from €58/month (1–60 months · recognised globally · no excess)
- Enrolled PhD < 30, no job: DAK Studenten ~€135.52/month (GKV student tariff · M10 to the university)
- Wiss. Mitarbeiter (TV-L E13): DAK Angestellte 17.8 % gross (employer pays half · § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V)
"Doktorand" is not one status — it's three. The recognised insurance follows the legal frame, not the title:
- AStipend-funded or age 30+ (§ 16b AufenthG research permit): Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) — Incoming-Versicherung (Privat), recognised globally incl. home country, 1–60 months, no excess. The standard recognised solution; PDF certificate delivered by email in minutes.
- BEnrolled doctoral candidate < 30, no employment > 20 h/week: DAK Studenten from €135.52/month (open-ended) — GKV student tariff under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V; the M10 notification is sent automatically to the university.
- CWissenschaftliche/r Mitarbeiter/in (TV-L E13, > 20 h/week): DAK Angestellte 17.8% of gross (open-ended) — compulsory employee GKV under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V; the employer pays half directly. The student tariff stops the day the contract starts.
Stipend letter received but no contract? 30-second tariff finder →
Inside: why a DAAD stipend disqualifies the GKV student tariff · the age-30 rule that catches half of international PhDs · the exact wording the Ausländerbehörde looks for under § 16b
Sources: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V (employee GKV) · § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V (student GKV, age 30 cap) · § 16b AufenthG (study/research) · § 18d AufenthG (Researcher Directive 2016/801) · HanseMerkur Care Expatriate AVB · DAK-Gesundheit tariff sheet 2026
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
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
Stipend-funded or age 30+? Take out Care Expatriate so the Ausländerbehörde sees the recognised PDF the day the § 16b permit is processed.
Five typical mistakes international PhD candidates make with health insurance
Quick answer: "Which insurance does a PhD candidate need in Germany?" — most international doctoral candidates run into one of five issues: assuming the title 'Doktorand' grants automatic GKV access; using a home-country travel policy the Ausländerbehörde won't recognise; missing the age-30 cap on the student tariff; not switching the day the Wiss. Mitarbeiter contract starts; or buying a Schengen-only policy for a § 16b national D-visa.
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 an uninsured day during a PhD in Germany 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.
§ 16b research-permit appointment in the next 14 days? 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.
From application to research-permit certificate — in 3 steps
10 minutes online, certificate by email, accepted by every German embassy and Ausländerbehörde for § 16b / § 18d AufenthG. The same Care Expatriate policy stays valid into the post-doc transition — see also the post-study job-transition guide.
Ready for university enrollment in 3 steps
DAK Student or Care Student for university enrollment, M10 notification and proof of coverage.
-
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.
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Complete the application
Enter your passport, university/program and stay details. M10 applies to DAK Student and Care Student university enrollment flows.
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Receive your proof
Receive visa or insurance proof after application; where applicable, the electronic M10 notification can be sent to the university.
What international PhD candidates say about Care Expatriate for the § 16b AufenthG research permit in Germany
“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
Cameroon
“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
Russia
“Found the best solution and best service for health insurance for foreign visitors and guests in Germany.
Fast, simple and affordable.
Highly recommended!”
Michael
Germany
“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
Australia
Now choose your plan
The 2 products that cover international PhD candidates in Germany
Care Expatriate
from only €58.00 / month (coverage up to 5 years)
For foreign nationals with longer stays: expats, self-employed professionals, freelancers, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, retirees & seniors up to age 74
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities quickly available (PDF)
- Coverage up to 5 years – less renewal stress
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental treatment coverage
- For longer stays in Germany, Austria, the EU/Schengen Area, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
- Suitable for expats, self-employed professionals, freelancers, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, retirees & seniors
- More planning security for residence permits, projects or jobs
- 24/7 assistance + digital insurance card
- Age-based rates: from €58/month ages 13–40 · from €68 ages 41–60 · from €246 ages 61–74
- Coverage term: 3 months to 5 years · entry age 0–74
- Reputable insurance carrier
Why Care Expatriate?
For foreign nationals with longer stays who need solid health insurance and proof of coverage for authorities — suitable for expats, freelancers, self-employed professionals, employees on assignment without German statutory insurance, retirees & seniors up to age 74.
Why a 5-year coverage term?
More planning security: less renewal stress and a lower risk of a coverage gap if your stay lasts longer.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Insurance Group Hamburg – Advigon Insurance AG
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental treatment & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €58 / month · coverage up to 5 years
→ Complete the application, receive your instant PDF, submit your proof
DAK-Gesundheit Students
from €145.52 / month
(effectively from €135.52 with DAK Garantietarif 120 possible)
For international students in Germany up to age 29
- Accepted for university enrollment – electronic M10 notification
- Visa confirmation directly after application
- Statutory health insurance + mandatory long-term care insurance included
- Doctor, dentist, hospital, pharmacy & prescription medication coverage
- Health insurance card for medical treatment in Germany
- Apply online from your home country – no German address required
- Save €120 per year with DAK Garantietarif 120 possible
- Alternative: DAK Fit & Travel with additional benefits
- 2026 contributions: from €145.52 · effectively from €135.52 possible
- Reputable statutory health insurance provider
Why DAK-Gesundheit?
For international students in Germany who need statutory health insurance for a visa, university and enrollment — including M10 notification and a health insurance card.
Why statutory student health insurance?
More security for your studies and enrollment: full statutory health coverage, electronic notification to the university and clear acceptance for enrollment.
- 🏛️ DAK-Gesundheit
- 📄 M10 notification + visa confirmation after application
- 🔒 Doctor, dentist, clinic, pharmacy & prescription medication
- 🏷️ From €145.52 / month · effectively from €135.52 possible
→ Complete the application, receive visa confirmation, secure your M10 notification
Enrolled but the host university treats the PhD as a regular student? Care Student €101.54/month is the GKV-equivalent recognised alternative (M10 to the university). Compare all 11 tariffs in the foreign-students hub.
Full price tables — Stipend, enrolled student and Wiss. Mitarbeiter
Quick answer: Three recognised products cover the entire PhD spectrum: Care Expatriate from €58/month for stipend-funded or 30+ candidates under § 16b AufenthG, DAK Studenten ~€135.52/month for enrolled candidates under 30, and DAK Angestellte at 17.8 % gross for Wiss. Mitarbeiter contracts.
Stipend / age 30+ — Care Expatriate
Three tiers (Basic / Comfort / Premium), 1–60 months, recognised globally incl. home country, no excess — the standard recognised solution for the § 16b research permit:
| 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.
Enrolled doctoral candidate < 30 — DAK Studenten
GKV student tariff under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V, M10 automatic to the university, valid for the entire enrolled period (age cap 30):
| 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.
Wiss. Mitarbeiter (TV-L E13) — DAK Angestellte
Compulsory employee GKV under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 1 SGB V, 17.8 % gross with employer paying half (~8.9 %), unlimited duration:
| 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)
|
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.
FAQ — Health insurance for international PhD candidates in Germany
Frequently Asked Questions
Which health insurance do PhD candidates from abroad need in Germany?
PhD students matriculated under 30 use DAK-Studenten (~€135.52/month); over 30 use Care Student (€101.54/month, GKV-equivalent). Depends on contract type. PhD candidates on an employment contract go into GKV via the employer at ~17.8% of gross under § 5 SGB V.
Can a PhD scholarship holder (Stipendiat) use private insurance in Germany?
Scholarship holders (Stipendiaten) are typically not GKV-eligible and use Care Expatriate from €58/month (ages 18–29) — up to 60 months per contract, accepted by the Ausländerbehörde under § 5 AufenthG for the researcher residence permit (§ 18d AufenthG).
Is DAK-Studenten available for PhD candidates over 30 in Germany?
No. The GKV student tariff (KVdS) is legally capped at age 30 under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V. From the first of the month after the 30th birthday, PhD candidates switch to Care Student (€101.54/month, GKV-equivalent) or Care Expatriate from €58/month if GKV-exempt.
Does Care Expatriate cover PhD fellowships and research contracts in Germany?
Yes — care Expatriate (from €58/month, 1–60 months) is recognised for §§ 18d / 20 AufenthG researcher and job-search permits. Zero deductible on the Premium tier; PDF certificate available within minutes for embassy and Ausländerbehörde files.
What is the cheapest health insurance for foreign PhD students in Germany?
Under 30: DAK-Studenten at ~€135.52/month (statutory, M10 automatic). Over 30 with GKV exemption: Care Student at €101.54/month. Scholarship / non-GKV route: Care Expatriate from €58/month — the lowest monthly rate among the three.
What health insurance do PhD students need in Germany?
It depends on your status: enrolled PhD students under 30 can use the statutory student tariff (GKV, approx. €135.52/month). PhD students over 30 or with a GKV exemption typically use Care Student (€101.54/month). Employed researchers (wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiter) are insured through their employer.
Is Care Student accepted by German universities for enrollment?
Yes. Care Student includes the M10 notification (M10-Meldung), which is the standard proof German universities require for enrollment. It is recognized as equivalent to statutory health insurance (GKV) by many institutions.
How much does health insurance cost for PhD students over 30 in Germany?
PhD students over 30 who can no longer use the GKV student tariff typically choose Care Student at €101.54/month (including long-term care) — a flat monthly premium independent of income. The certificate is issued instantly via email.