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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    Care Student (over 30 / GKV-exempt, M10-equivalent)from €101.54/month (up to 5 years)

    GKV or Private Health Insurance for Foreign Students in Germany: Decision Matrix by Age, Status and Study Phase

    Sources: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V · § 8 SGB V (Befreiung) · § 257 SGB V · § 199a SGB V (M10) · DAK-Gesundheit · HanseMerkur AVB

    For foreign students enrolled at a German university, the choice between GKV and private health insurance is essentially decided by § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V: under 30, statutory student cover is mandatory; over 30 or formally GKV-exempt, private GKV-gleichwertig cover takes over. The two recognised endpoints are DAK-Studenten for under-30 enrolled students (DAK files the M10 electronically with the university), and Care Student from €101.54/month (up to 5 years) for over-30, post-14th-semester, GKV-exempt students or PhDs outside the standard window — accepted by every German university up to 60 months under § 257 SGB V.

    If you are not yet immatriculated (Sprachkurs, Studienkolleg or language school), the M10 system does not yet apply — Care College from €27.50/month (up to 5 years) is the recognised proof for both the embassy and the school. For the embassy and arrival window before the course starts, Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day (up to 92 days) bridges the gap. The full enrolment proof workflow (M10, GKV-gleichwertig, Sprachkurs handover) is detailed in the M10 enrolment proof guide.

    Below: the under-30 vs. over-30 routing under § 5 SGB V, when a formal GKV-Befreiung (§ 8 SGB V) actually makes sense, the post-14th-semester switch, the Sprachkurs / Studienkolleg bridge via Care College, the most common mistakes that block enrolment files, and the full Care Student price breakdown.

    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

    Over 30, GKV-exempt or PhD? Get the GKV-gleichwertig Care Student 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 wrong routing decisions that block enrolment or cost thousands

    Quick answer: "Why is my GKV / private decision wrong?" — most blocked or overpriced files share one of four issues: an under-30 enrolled student trying to take Care Student instead of DAK-Studenten; an over-30 PhD still on travel insurance instead of Care Student; a Sprachkurs student trying to use DAK before the M10 system applies; or a formal GKV-Befreiung signed without understanding it is irrevocable for the rest of the studies.

    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 the wrong GKV / private decision 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 fixed — decide GKV vs. private before the deadline

    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 M10 / GKV-gleichwertig confirmation — in 3 steps

    10 minutes online. DAK-Studenten files the M10 electronically; Care Student issues the GKV-gleichwertig certificate within 24 hours. Enrolment is then completed automatically by the university registrar.

    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 foreign students say about the GKV vs. Care Student decision for German universities

    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 decision matrix maps to three recognised tariffs: DAK-Gesundheit (~€135.52/month) for under-30s under § 5(1)(9) SGB V, Care Student (€101.54/month) for over-30s, GKV-exempt students and PhD candidates under § 257 SGB V, and Care College (from €27.50/month) for the pre-immatriculation phase.

    DAK-Gesundheit — three statutory student tariffs (under-30s)

    All three GKV variants include automatic M10 notification — they apply from immatriculation under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V:

    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)

    All-in: CCS health €35 + PVN €58.04 + Pflegeversicherung €8.50 = €101.54/month — GKV-equivalent under § 257 SGB V:

    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 — pre-enrolment tariff (Sprachkurs / Studienkolleg)

    Before the M10 can be filed: Care College from €27.50/month (up to age 29) and €33.50–99/month for ages 30+:

    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

    Can a foreign student under 30 simply choose private (Care Student) instead of GKV?

    Almost never. § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V makes statutory student cover (DAK-Studenten, ~€135.52/month with Garantietarif 120, otherwise ~€145.52/month) the legal default for enrolled students under 30. A private substitution requires a formal, irrevocable GKV-Befreiung within the first 3 months of enrolment, which is rarely granted for a regular Bachelor/Master programme and binds you to private cover for the rest of the studies. For most under-30 foreign students DAK-Studenten + the M10 electronic notification is the correct answer.

    When is Care Student the right choice instead of GKV?

    Care Student (€101.54/month total: CCS €35 + PVN €58.04 + Pflege €8.50) is the recognised proof when GKV is no longer available: over 30, after the 14th semester (15th semester onwards), formal GKV-Befreiung, PhD candidates outside the standard window, or guest researchers. It is GKV-gleichwertig under § 257 SGB V, the M10-equivalent certificate is accepted by every German university and the tariff covers up to 60 months.

    What about Sprachkurs, Studienkolleg or the visa phase before I am enrolled?

    Before immatriculation neither GKV nor Care Student applies — the M10 electronic notification only exists for enrolled students. The recognised tariff for Sprachkurs, Studienkolleg and language schools is Care College (from €27.50/month up to age 29 and from €33.50/month for age 30+, Basic months 1–24), accepted by both the embassy for the visa and the school for enrolment. For the embassy and arrival window before the language course starts, Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day bridges the gap. On the day the university confirms the study place, switch to DAK-Studenten (under 30) or Care Student (over 30 / GKV-exempt).