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

    Health Insurance for Students Aged 30+: What to Do When the Student Tariff Ends in Germany

    Sources: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V (KVdS age cap) · § 8 SGB V (exemption) · § 257 SGB V · § 199a SGB V (M10) · § 5 AufenthG · HanseMerkur Care Student/Care Expatriate AVB

    The GKV student tariff (KVdS) is legally capped at age 30 (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V). On the first of the month following the 30th birthday, DAK-Studenten and the other statutory funds move you to the regular voluntary GKV rate of roughly €220–250/month — almost double the previous student rate. Foreign students with a residence permit can avoid that jump by switching to Care Student from €101.54/month (up to 5 years) — GKV-equivalent under HanseMerkur, accepted by the university for continued enrolment after a § 8 SGB V exemption and including the M10 electronic notification under § 199a SGB V.

    For PhD candidates (Promotionsstudenten), doctoral researchers and post-graduate exempt cases who no longer need the M10 university notification, Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) is the recognised private alternative — accepted by the Ausländerbehörde for the residence permit, with cover up to 60 months and worldwide protection including the home country. The full statutory-vs-private comparison for over-30 foreign students is in the statutory or private guide, and the M10 workflow after the switch is in the enrolment proof guide.

    Below: when exactly the KVdS ends, what happens if you do nothing, when a delayed study extends the tariff, why PhD candidates cannot use it, the five most common mistakes on the switch, the cover handover, the residence-permit consequences (§ 5 AufenthG), and the full Care Student / Care Expatriate / DAK 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

    Turning 30? Switch in 5 minutes — Care Student or Care Expatriate, recognised by the university and Ausländerbehörde.

    🏛️ 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 around the age-30 switch

    Quick answer: "Why did my GKV rate suddenly double after my 30th birthday?" — most files share one of five issues: missing the § 8 SGB V exemption window, not filing Care Student or Care Expatriate before the 1st of the month after the 30th birthday, assuming PhD students stay on the KVdS, missing the § 8 SGB V exemption deadline, or letting a coverage gap appear that puts the residence permit at risk under § 5 AufenthG.

    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 missing the age-30 switch 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.

    30th birthday on the calendar — switch 4–6 weeks before to avoid the rate jump

    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 § 8 SGB V exemption to new insurance — in 3 steps

    10 minutes online. Care Student or Care Expatriate issues the recognised certificate within minutes — accepted by the university for continued enrolment and by the Ausländerbehörde for the residence permit. The GKV exemption under § 8 SGB V is irrevocable for the rest of the studies, so plan the switch carefully.

    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 over-30 students say about Care Student after the GKV student tariff ended

    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 around the age-30 switch: DAK-Gesundheit (~€135.52/month) until the cap, then Care Student (€101.54/month) for continued enrolment, or Care Expatriate (from €58/month) for PhD / doctoral cases.

    Care Student — GKV-equivalent (post age-30 / GKV-exempt)

    Total €101.54/month: CCS €35 + PVN €58.04 + Pflege €8.50. M10 notification included, accepted by the university for continued enrolment 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 Expatriate — PhD candidates & doctoral researchers

    Worldwide cover including home country. Premiums by age bracket (18–29 from €58/mo, 41–60 from €68/mo, 61–74 from €246/mo). Up to 60 months:

    Care Expatriateworldwide without USA, Canada and Mexico
    Basic
    BestsellerComfort
    Premium
    Deductible / yr
    150,–
    Deductible / yr
    150,–
    Deductible / yr
    500,–
    Deductible / yr
    0,–
    Deductible / yr
    500,–
    Deductible / yr
    1.000,–
    Entry age:0–12 (€ / month) 64,– 104,– 81,– 191,– 149,– 117,–
    Entry age:13–40 (€ / month) 58,– 84,– 63,– 181,– 141,– 109,–
    Entry age:41–60 (€ / month) 68,– 103,– 77,– 256,– 201,– 156,–
    Entry age:61–74 (€ / month) 246,– 322,– 248,– 432,– 336,– 263,–

    All prices per month/person in euros. Deductible applies per insurance year. As of 2026.

    DAK-Gesundheit — statutory student tariff (until the age cap)

    Reference rates that apply until the 30th birthday or After the cap, switch is mandatory:

    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: 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

    When exactly does the GKV student tariff end for foreign students in Germany?

    The GKV student tariff (KVdS) ends at age 30 (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V). DAK-Studenten and other statutory funds will move you to the regular voluntary GKV rate (~€220–250/month) on the first of the month following your 30th birthday. Foreign students with a residence permit can switch to Care Student €101.54/month or Care Expatriate from €58/month at exactly that date.

    Can I extend the GKV student tariff past 30 if I am a PhD candidate or have a delayed study?

    Only in narrow cases. A delayed study for a documented reason (illness, care for a child, late access to higher education) can extend the tariff for a limited period under § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V. PhD candidates (Promotionsstudenten) are normally NOT covered by the GKV student tariff — they fall under the regular voluntary GKV rate or, after a § 8 SGB V exemption, under Care Student (€101.54/month) or Care Expatriate (from €58/month).

    What is the difference between Care Student and Care Expatriate after age 30?

    Care Student (€101.54/month) is GKV-equivalent under HanseMerkur and is accepted by the university for continued enrolment after a § 8 SGB V exemption — it includes the M10 electronic notification under § 199a SGB V and is the standard switch for over-30 students who stay enrolled. Care Expatriate (from €58/month for ages 18–29; from €68/month for ages 41–60) is a private incoming tariff used by PhD candidates, doctoral researchers and post-graduate cases who no longer need the M10 university notification but still need a residence-permit-grade insurance.