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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    Care College — bridge until enrolmentfrom €27.50/month (up to 5 years)

    Health Insurance for Study Applicants in Germany — Not Yet Enrolled

    GKV from Day 1
    of Immatrikulation
    €27.50/mo bridge
    Care College
    €30,000 visa
    all Schengen

    Sources: § 5 SGB V (start of GKV student cover) · § 16 / § 17 AufenthG (study & study-applicant residence) · EU Regulation 810/2009 (Schengen visa €30,000 cover) · HanseMerkur Care College / Care Visa Protect AVB · Care Concept Care Economy 2024/25

    The German GKV student tariff (DAK-Gesundheit ~from €135.52/month (open-ended)) only starts on day 1 of Immatrikulation — not when you apply, not when you get the admission letter (Zulassung). Until the Immatrikulationsbescheinigung is issued, applicants need a bridge tariff that matches the actual residence purpose: language course, Studienkolleg, study-applicant visa or short pre-application stay.

    For the language-course or Studienkolleg phase, Care College from €27.50/month (up to 5 years) is the standard recognised tariff. For the national study-applicant visa under § 17 AufenthG, Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (up to 92 days) fulfils the €30,000 minimum cover required by EU Regulation 810/2009 in all Schengen states. For a short campus visit or interview before the result, Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) covers up to 2 years (age 0–74).

    Below: which bridge fits which application route, why DAK cannot start before Immatrikulation, the exact switch on enrolment day (DAK under 30 / Care Student over 30), the § 30,000 minimum-cover rule for the visa, and full price tables for Care College, Care Visa Protect and Care Economy.

    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

    Not yet enrolled? Bridge the application phase in 5 minutes — Care College for language/Studienkolleg, Care Visa Protect for the visa.

    🏛️ 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 during the application phase

    Quick answer: "Which insurance do I take while my university application is still pending?" — most applicants run into one of five issues: trying to start DAK before Immatrikulation; using a pure travel insurance for the visa instead of Care Visa Protect; choosing Care College Silver below €30,000 cover; forgetting to cancel Care College on enrolment day; or running Care Economy past its 2-year limit instead of switching to Care Expatriate.

    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 application phase 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.

    Visa appointment in days? Care Visa Protect issues the certificate within minutes — by email

    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 cover for the application phase — in 3 steps

    10 minutes online. Pick the bridge that matches your residence purpose (Care College for language course / Studienkolleg, Care Visa Protect for the visa, Care Economy for short visits), and switch to DAK or Care Student the day Immatrikulation is confirmed — full switch 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 study applicants say about bridge cover before German university enrolment

    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 tariffs by age & duration

    Quick answer: The three recognised bridge tariffs for the application phase: Care College (from €27.50/month) for language course / Studienkolleg, Care Visa Protect (from €0.85/day) for the study-applicant visa, and Care Economy (from €30 / 30 days) for short pre-application stays.

    Care College — language course / Studienkolleg

    Four tiers (Silver / S / M / XL), 1–60 months, monthly cancellable so it ends cleanly the day Immatrikulation is confirmed:

    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 Visa Protect — study-applicant visa (Schengen / national)

    €30,000 minimum cover in all Schengen states (EU Reg. 810/2009), 1–92 days, certificate issued by email within minutes:

    Care Visa Protect Daily premium Multiple Visa
    (annual contract)
    up to age 64 €0.85/day €110/year
    65 – 74 years €2.60/day €215/year

    Prices per person. Minimum premium €8.50 per trip. Maximum benefit €50,000 (well above the Schengen minimum of €30,000). Deductible €0. Must be purchased before travel. As of 2026.

    Care Economy — short campus visit / interview

    Age 0–74, 1 day to 2 years; for stays beyond 2 years switch to Care Expatriate. No pre-existing conditions or pregnancy cover:

    Care Economy
    Duration
    Bestsellerup to 64
    up to 64
    Bestseller65+
    65+
    no deductible with deductible no deductible with deductible
    up to 90 days €1.18/day €1.00/day €3.48/day €2.95/day
    91–180 days €1.59/day €1.35/day €4.37/day €3.70/day
    181–365 days €2.30/day €1.95/day €5.84/day €4.95/day
    366–730 days €2.83/day €2.40/day €9.32/day €7.90/day

    All prices per day/person in euros. Minimum premium €10 per person and term. Deductible is the share you pay yourself. Entry age 0–74. As of 2026.

    Sources: HanseMerkur Care College / Care Visa Protect AVB, Care Concept AG tariff tables 2024/25. The exact price is calculated in the online application.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I take out the German GKV student tariff before I am enrolled?

    No. Statutory student insurance (e.g. DAK-Gesundheit ~€135.52/month) starts only on day 1 of Immatrikulation. For the application phase use a bridge: Care College (from €27.50/month) for language course / Studienkolleg, Care Visa Protect (from €0.85/day) for the Schengen / national study-applicant visa, or Care Economy (from €30 / 30 days) for short pre-application stays. Switch to DAK on the first day of enrolment.

    Which insurance does the German embassy accept for a study-applicant visa?

    For the national visa under § 17 AufenthG (study applicant) embassies expect ≥ €30,000 medical cover valid in all Schengen states (EU Regulation 810/2009). <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-visa-protect/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day</a> meets this for stays up to 92 days; for longer pre-study phases (language course, Studienkolleg) <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-college/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care College from €27.50/month</a> is the standard recognised tariff.

    What happens to my Care College tariff once I am enrolled?

    Care College is for the pre-study phase only. From day 1 of Immatrikulation, German universities require either an M10 notification from a GKV (DAK-Gesundheit, M10 filed automatically) or a § 8 SGB V GKV exemption certificate that allows a private GKV-equivalent tariff like Care Student (€101.54/month). The full switch is in the <a href="/en/guide-health-insurance-germany/health-insurance-students-germany/changing-from-language-school-to-study-health-insurance-switch-or-extend-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">language-school-to-study switch guide</a>.