Health Insurance for German Study-Preparation Visa, Language Course and Studienkolleg — How to Combine the 3 Proofs
- Care Visa Protect: from €0.85/day (Phase 1 — visa, €30,000 Schengen cover · vs. ~€830/day average ER bill)
- Care College: from €27.50/month (Phase 2 — language course / Studienkolleg, 1–60 months · vs. €4,000+ uninsured hospital stay)
- DAK-Gesundheit: from €135.52/month (Phase 3 — Immatrikulation, M10 automatic · vs. de-registration if missed)
Sources: § 16b AufenthG (study preparation) · § 5 AufenthG (€30,000 minimum cover) · § 199a SGB V (M10) · § 8 SGB V (GKV exemption) · EU Regulation 810/2009 (Schengen visa) · HanseMerkur Care Visa Protect / Care College AVB
Combine 3 proofs across the 2-year § 16b AufenthG study-preparation visa — one per phase:
- 1Visa phase (≤ 92 days): Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (up to 92 days) — €30,000 cover in all Schengen states (EU Reg. 810/2009).
- 2Language course / Studienkolleg: Care College from €27.50/month (up to 5 years) — recognised by German embassies, runs 1–60 months, monthly cancellable.
- 3From day 1 of Immatrikulation: DAK-Gesundheit from €135.52/month (open-ended) (under 30, M10 automatic) or Care Student from €101.54/month (up to 5 years) (30+ / PhD / GKV-exempt) — see also the applicant bridge guide.
Not sure which phase you are in? 30-second tariff finder →
Inside: the 92-day Care Visa Protect cliff · the 1 document the Ausländerbehörde actually checks · why the embassy rejects 'one tariff fits all' files
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
Combine the 3 proofs in 5 minutes — Care Visa Protect for the visa, Care College for the language course / Studienkolleg, switch to DAK or Care Student on enrolment day.
Five typical mistakes when combining the 3 proofs
Quick answer: "Which insurance do I show the embassy vs. the university?" — most applicants run into one of five issues: trying to extend Care Visa Protect past 92 days; keeping Care College after Immatrikulation; skipping the language-course phase proof; choosing a Care College tier below €30,000 cover; or starting DAK before enrolment day.
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 missed 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 €30k Schengen certificate within 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.
Combine the 3 proofs — in 3 steps
10 minutes online. Issue Care Visa Protect for the visa appointment, switch to Care College on arrival in Germany, and replace it with DAK-Gesundheit or Care Student on the day Immatrikulation is confirmed — full M10 workflow in the M10 enrolment proof 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 students say about combining visa, language and Studienkolleg insurance proofs 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 tariffs that cover the visa & language-course phases
Care Visa Protect
from only €0.85 / day (1–92 days possible)
For Schengen visas, tourists, family visits & business travel
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities quickly available (PDF)
- Meets Schengen visa insurance requirements
- Affordable coverage from €0.85/day (minimum premium applies)
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental emergency coverage
- For Germany, Austria, the EU/Schengen Area, Liechtenstein or Switzerland
- Ideal for short stays, family visits, tourists & business travelers
- Multiple-visa option: several trips up to a total of 92 days/year
- Must be purchased before entry
- Age-based rates: from €0.85/day up to age 64 · from €2.60/day for ages 65–74
- Coverage term: 1–92 days · entry age 0–74
Why Care Visa Protect?
For foreign visitors with a Schengen visa who need fast, affordable proof of insurance for an embassy, visa office or immigration authority — suitable for tourists, family visits and short business trips.
Why a 92-day coverage term?
Ideal for typical short stays and Schengen trips: enough coverage for a visit, vacation or business trip — without buying long-term insurance.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Travel Insurance AG, Hamburg
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental emergency & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €0.85 / day · coverage up to 92 days
→ Complete the application, receive your instant PDF, submit your proof
Care College
from only €27.50 / month (coverage up to 5 years)
For language schools, Studienkolleg, DSH, continuing education, visiting researchers & educational stays
- Proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities quickly available (PDF)
- Affordable health insurance from €27.50 / month
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental treatment coverage
- For educational stays in Germany or the EU/Schengen Area — except Austria
- Suitable for language students, Studienkolleg, DSH, continuing education & visiting researchers
- Coverage up to 5 years – less renewal stress
- 3 plan levels available: Basic, Comfort & Premium
- 24/7 assistance + digital insurance card
- Coverage term: 1 month to 5 years · entry age up to 40
- Reputable insurance carrier
Why Care College?
For foreign nationals with an educational stay who need affordable health insurance and proof of coverage for authorities — suitable for language school, Studienkolleg, DSH, continuing education or visiting researchers.
Why a 5-year coverage term?
More planning security during training, language courses or study preparation: less renewal stress and a lower risk of a coverage gap.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Insurance Group Hamburg – Advigon Insurance AG
- 📄 Instant proof of insurance for visas & immigration authorities (PDF)
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental treatment & repatriation coverage
- 🏷️ From €27.50 / month · coverage up to 5 years
→ Complete the application, receive your instant PDF, submit your proof
On Immatrikulation day switch to DAK-Gesundheit from €135.52/month (open-ended) (under 30, M10 automatic) or Care Student from €101.54/month (up to 5 years) (30+ / PhD / GKV-exempt). Compare all 11 tariffs in the foreign-students hub.
Full price tables — all 3 phases by age & duration
Quick answer: The three tariffs that fit the 2-year study-preparation visa: Care Visa Protect (from €0.85/day) for the visa application, Care College (€27.50–138/month) for the language course or Studienkolleg, and DAK-Gesundheit (~€135.52/month) from day 1 of Immatrikulation.
Phase 1 — Care Visa Protect (visa, ≤ 92 days)
€30,000 cover in all Schengen states (EU Reg. 810/2009); certificate issued by email within minutes — must be taken out before travel:
| 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.
Phase 2 — 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.
Phase 3 — DAK-Gesundheit (from day 1 of Immatrikulation)
Garantietarif 120 saves €120/year. M10 notification filed automatically to the university — for over-30 / PhD / GKV-exempt students Care Student €101.54/month replaces it:
| 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: HanseMerkur Care Visa Protect / Care College AVB, DAK-Gesundheit contribution statement 2025, Care Concept AG tariff tables 2024/25. The exact price is calculated in the online application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can one health-insurance tariff cover the whole German study-preparation visa?
No single tariff covers all three phases. Care Visa Protect is limited to 92 days (visa phase only). Care College runs 1–60 months and covers the language-course / Studienkolleg phase. From day 1 of Immatrikulation the university requires either an M10 notification from a GKV (<a href="/en/insurance-plans/dak-gesundheit/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">DAK-Gesundheit ~€135.52/month</a>) or a § 8 SGB V GKV exemption that allows <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-student/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Student €101.54/month</a>.
Which insurance does the German embassy accept for a study-preparation visa under § 16b AufenthG?
For the national study-preparation visa the embassy expects ≥ €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 the longer language-course / Studienkolleg phase German embassies accept <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-college/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care College from €27.50/month</a> as a recognised follow-on tariff.
When exactly do I need to switch from Care College to DAK or Care Student?
On the day the Immatrikulationsbescheinigung is issued — not earlier, not later. Care College ends cleanly (it is monthly cancellable). For under-30 students DAK-Gesundheit (~€135.52/month, M10 filed automatically) is the standard; for over-30 / PhD / GKV-exempt students Care Student (€101.54/month, GKV-equivalent under § 8 SGB V) replaces it. Full M10 workflow: <a href="/en/guide-health-insurance-germany/health-insurance-students-germany/health-insurance-proof-enrollment-university-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">M10 enrolment proof guide</a>.