Insurance Rejected by the German University or Ausländerbehörde? The 5-Step Checklist
- DAK-Gesundheit: from €135.52/month (M10 filed automatically — university accepts directly)
- Care Student: from €101.54/month (over 30 / PhD / GKV-exempt — GKV-equivalent, M10 PDF)
- Care College: from €27.50/month (language course / Studienkolleg — GKV exemption required on top)
Sources: § 199a SGB V (M10) · § 8 SGB V (GKV exemption) · § 5 AufenthG (€30,000 minimum cover) · DAK-Gesundheit operations 2025 · HanseMerkur Care Student / Care College AVB
In about 9 out of 10 cases the rejection is caused by the wrong document, not the wrong tariff. The university (Hochschule) requires either the electronic M10 notification (§ 199a SGB V) from a GKV — usually DAK-Gesundheit where M10 is filed automatically — or a GKV exemption certificate (Befreiungsbescheinigung, § 8 SGB V) that allows a private incoming tariff.
For over-30 / GKV-exempt / PhD students, Care Student from €101.54/month (up to 5 years) is recognised as GKV-equivalent under § 8 SGB V and delivers the M10 as a PDF — usually no separate Befreiungsbescheinigung needed. Care College from €27.50/month (up to 5 years) is for the language-course / Studienkolleg phase — for university enrolment the GKV exemption is required on top. The full enrolment-proof workflow is in the M10 enrolment proof guide.
Below: the exact 5-step checklist (written reason → requirement → field check → corrected proof → switch), why a Care College PDF alone is rejected, when the § 8 SGB V exemption is actually irrevocable, the Ausländerbehörde €30,000 minimum-cover rule under § 5 AufenthG, and the full DAK / Care Student / Care College 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
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009
Insurance rejected by the German university? Switch to DAK (M10 automatic) in 5 minutes — or stay private with Care Student (GKV-equivalent).
Five typical mistakes that cause a rejection
Quick answer: "Why was my insurance certificate rejected at the Studierendensekretariat?" — most cases share one of five issues: handing in a Care College PDF without the GKV exemption; a typo or wrong date in the confirmation; a pure travel insurance instead of a study/residence insurance; coverage starting after the first day of the semester; or missing the €30,000 minimum cover required by the Ausländerbehörde.
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 unresolved rejection 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 in days? Request the corrected M10 today — usually issued within one working day
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.
Resolve the rejection — in 3 steps
10 minutes online. Ask the Studierendensekretariat or Ausländerbehörde in writing what exactly is missing, request the corrected M10 / Befreiungsbescheinigung from your insurer, and only switch tariff (DAK-Gesundheit or Care Student) if the tariff type itself is not accepted.
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.
-
Complete the application
Enter your passport, university/program and stay details. M10 applies to DAK Student and Care Student university enrollment flows.
-
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 resolving an insurance rejection 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
Tariffs that the German university accepts directly
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
Care Student
from €101.54 / month (coverage up to 5 years)
For international students in Germany: bachelor's, master's, doctoral studies & eligible university enrollment cases
- Accepted for university enrollment – electronic M10 notification
- Health insurance + mandatory long-term care insurance from €101.54/month
- Save at least €50/month compared with statutory student health insurance
- For bachelor's, master's, doctoral studies & eligible university enrollment flows
- Private-patient status: free choice of doctor, often faster appointments
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental treatment coverage
- Support with exemption from statutory health insurance
- Recognized by universities and immigration authorities
- Coverage term up to 5 years · entry age 12–39
- Reputable insurance carrier
Why Care Student?
For international students in Germany who need private health insurance for enrollment, M10 notification and proof of coverage for authorities — with strong benefits and potential savings compared with statutory health insurance.
Why a 5-year coverage term?
More planning security during your studies: less renewal stress and a lower risk of a coverage gap during a bachelor's, master's, doctoral program or eligible university enrollment case.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Insurance AG
- 📄 M10 notification + proof for universities & immigration authorities
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental treatment & prescription medication
- 🏷️ From €101.54 / month · coverage up to 5 years
→ Complete the application, secure your M10 notification, prepare for enrollment
For over 30 / GKV-exempt / PhD students see the age-30 / student tariff guide; the full M10 workflow is in the M10 enrolment proof guide. Compare all 11 tariffs in the foreign-students hub.
Full price tables — all brackets by age & duration
Quick answer: The three tariffs that resolve a rejection at the university: DAK-Gesundheit (~€135.52/month) with automatic M10, Care Student (€101.54/month) as the GKV-equivalent private route with M10 PDF, and Care College (€27.50–138/month) for the pre-study phase (GKV exemption required on top).
DAK-Gesundheit — three statutory student tariffs
Garantietarif 120 saves €120/year. M10 notification filed automatically to the university — the simplest route after a rejection:
| 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.
Care Student — GKV-equivalent (over 30 / GKV-exempt / PhD)
Total €101.54/month: CCS €35 + PVN €58.04 + Pflege €8.50. Recognised under § 8 SGB V; delivers the M10 notification as PDF — no separate exemption certificate needed:
| 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.
Care College — language course / Studienkolleg
Monthly cancellable; for university enrolment a GKV exemption certificate (Befreiungsbescheinigung) is required on top — otherwise rejected:
| 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.
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
Why did the German university reject my health insurance certificate?
The most common reason: the university (Hochschule) requires the electronic M10 notification (§ 199a SGB V) from a statutory insurer (GKV) — or a GKV exemption certificate (Befreiungsbescheinigung). A simple PDF confirmation, even from a private incoming tariff like Care College, is normally not enough. DAK-Gesundheit (~€135.52/month) files M10 automatically; Care Student (€101.54/month) delivers the M10 as a PDF and is recognised as GKV-equivalent under § 8 SGB V.
What is the difference between the university and the Ausländerbehörde when they check insurance?
The university checks the formal insurance status — they need either an M10 notification from a GKV or a GKV exemption certificate. The Ausländerbehörde checks whether the tariff fits the stay purpose (study) and provides ≥ €30,000 minimum cover for the residence permit (§ 5 AufenthG). Both checks are independent; one document can pass one but fail the other. DAK-Gesundheit and Care Student satisfy both checks at the same time.
Do I have to switch insurance if my certificate is rejected?
Not always. Often a corrected certificate or a follow-up GKV exemption is enough — usually free of charge from the insurer within one working day. Only when the tariff type itself is rejected (for example a pure travel insurance instead of a study/residence insurance) is a switch needed. Standard switches: <a href="/en/insurance-plans/dak-gesundheit/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">DAK-Gesundheit (~€135.52/month, M10 automatic)</a> or <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-student/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Student (€101.54/month, GKV-equivalent)</a>.