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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    DAK-Gesundheit (continuous, 12 months a year)ab nur ca. 135,52 € / Monat (unbegrenzt)

    Semester Break in Germany: Must Health Insurance Run Continuously — or Is a Pause Possible?

    12 months/year
    no pause possible
    EHIC inside EU
    on the back of eGK
    1 % per month
    Säumniszuschlag if you stop

    Sources: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V (12-month obligation) · § 24 SGB IV (Säumniszuschlag 1 %/Mo) · EU Reg. 883/2004 (EHIC) · § 5 AufenthG · DAK-Gesundheit contribution statement 2025 · HanseMerkur Care Economy AVB

    Health insurance in Germany is mandatory 12 months a year — also during the lecture-free period (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V). A pause is not legally possible. DAK-Studenten runs automatically through the semester break, also during a home trip. For over-30 / GKV-exempt / PhD students Care Student from €101.54/month (up to 5 years) is the GKV-equivalent continuous alternative.

    Inside the EU/EEA the EHIC card on the back of the eGK covers acute care. For non-EU home trips (Turkey, India, Russia, Brazil, China, USA…) the EHIC is invalid — close the gap with Care Economy from €30 / 30 days (up to 2 years) (≈ €1/day for ages 0–49). DAK keeps running in parallel so the German cover stays unbroken on return. Working more than 20 h/week during the break is allowed with a written limitation — see the part-time job guide.

    Below: why a pause is legally impossible, what the 1 % Säumniszuschlag actually costs after a single missed month, when EHIC is enough and when Care Economy is mandatory, why a SEPA standing order from a German account beats a transfer from home, the four typical mistakes that block the next Rückmeldung at the university, and the full DAK / Care Student / Care Economy 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

    4.9/5

    Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009

    Semester break ahead? Keep DAK running automatically — and add Care Economy for non-EU home trips in 5 minutes.

    🏛️ Authority-approved📄 Instant proof🔒 DAK / HanseMerkur🏷️ Transparent pricing
    4.9/5· Since 2009 · 10,000+ policies· Since 2009 · Over 10,000 policies issued

    Four typical mistakes around the semester break

    Quick answer: "Why was my Rückmeldung blocked at the start of the new semester?" — most cases share one of four issues: assuming insurance can be paused for a few weeks at home; relying on EHIC for a non-EU home country; stopping the SEPA standing order during the break and collecting Säumniszuschläge; or missing the M10 confirmation before the Rückmeldung deadline at the university.

    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 stopping the GKV contribution 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.

    Travelling outside the EU? Add Care Economy before departure — booked in 5 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.

    Stay covered through the semester break — in 3 steps

    10 minutes online. Set up the SEPA standing order so DAK keeps collecting; add Care Economy for non-EU home trips; keep the M10 confirmation in your email so the university Rückmeldung is not blocked when the new semester starts.

    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 students say about staying covered through the German semester break

    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 — all brackets by age & duration

    Quick answer: The three tariffs that matter for the semester break: DAK-Gesundheit (~€135.52/month) continuous for under-30, Care Student (€101.54/month) continuous for over 30 / GKV-exempt / PhD, and Care Economy from ~€30/30 days as the non-EU home-trip top-up.

    DAK-Gesundheit — three statutory student tariffs

    Garantietarif 120 saves €120/year. Runs continuously through the lecture-free period and also during home trips. M10 notification filed automatically:

    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. Continuous cover, M10 notification included, accepted by the university after § 8 SGB V exemption:

    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 Economy — non-EU home-trip top-up

    ~€30/30 days for ages 0–49 (≈ €1/day); €50–125/30 days for 50+. Bookable per day, runs in parallel with DAK so the German cover stays unbroken:

    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: 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

    Can I pause my health insurance during the semester break in Germany?

    No. The statutory insurance obligation in Germany applies 12 months a year — also during the lecture-free period (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V). A pause is not legally possible, neither at DAK-Gesundheit (~€135.52/month) nor with Care Student (€101.54/month). Cancelling triggers a 1 % Säumniszuschlag per month, a Rückmeldesperre at the university and risks the residence permit.

    Do I need extra travel insurance during the semester break if I go home?

    It depends on the destination. Inside the EU/EEA the EHIC card (printed on the back of the eGK) covers acute, medically necessary care — usually no extra cover needed. For non-EU countries (Turkey, India, Russia, Brazil, China, USA…) the EHIC is invalid and German GKV only reimburses limited emergency costs. Care Economy from ~€30/30 days (≈ €1/day for ages 0–49) closes the gap — DAK keeps running in parallel.

    Can I work more than 20 hours per week during the semester break?

    Yes. During the lecture-free period students may work more than 20 h/week — provided the contract limits the higher hours in writing to the semester break only. The DAK student tariff stays in place. Always inform DAK-Gesundheit of every new job and keep the written limitation, otherwise the Werkstudent privilege can be retroactively revoked also for the lecture period. Full rules: <a href="/en/guide-health-insurance-germany/health-insurance-students-germany/part-time-job-student-health-insurance-what-changes-self-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Part-time job as a student in Germany</a>.