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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
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    Care Expatriate — bridge after drop-outfrom €58/month (up to 5 years)
    One day of gap between the old and the new immatriculation can lose you the cheap GKV student tariff — for the rest of your studies

    Health Insurance When Dropping Out or Changing Major in Germany: Next Steps

    4.9/5 · Over 10,000 policies since 2009
    Study discontinuation or major change in Germany — what happens to foreign students' health insurance
    Path A: Fachwechsel
    Student tariff stays
    Path B: Drop-out
    €58/mo bridge
    Path C: Re-enroll 30+
    Care Student €101.54

    Sources: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V (student tariff age & semester limits) · § 9 SGB V (voluntary GKV continuation, 14-day window) · § 16b AufenthG (study residence permit) · § 20 AufenthG (graduate job-seeking) · HanseMerkur Care Expatriate / Care Student AVB · DAK-Gesundheit operations 2025

    The decision is binary — continuous immatriculation keeps the cheap student tariff; one gap-day forces a new insurance route:

    1. AClean Fachwechsel (subject change): DAK-Gesundheit student tariff from €135.52/month (open-ended) stays in place — the new university enrollment certificate is enough. § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V counts ALL semesters at any German university, so a late switch shortens the remaining time on the cheap tariff.
    2. BStudienabbruch (drop-out, no new program): Care Expatriate from €58/month (up to 5 years) — recognised by the Ausländerbehörde for any § 16 / § 20 AufenthG decision, PDF certificate by email in minutes, monthly cancellable when a new study program or job starts.
    3. CRe-enrollment at 30+, PhD or 14+ semesters: Care Student from €101.54/month (up to 5 years) — GKV-equivalent, M10 notification to the German university for immatriculation, accepted as the standard private replacement when the GKV student tariff is closed.

    De-enrollment date already fixed? 30-second tariff finder →

    Inside: the 14-semester rule that quietly ends the cheap GKV tariff · the one Fachwechsel detail that triggers a § 16b residence-permit review · why 30+ re-enrollers need an M10 from a private insurer

    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

    Drop-out date already in the system? Take out Care Expatriate the same day so the Ausländerbehörde sees zero gap in coverage.

    🏛️ 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 after a Fachwechsel or drop-out

    Quick answer: "I changed my major / dropped out — what now?" — most foreign students run into one of five issues: de-registering before the new program is officially confirmed; assuming the GKV student tariff continues during a one-semester gap; missing the 14-day § 9 SGB V window for voluntary GKV; telling the Ausländerbehörde without an insurance certificate already in hand; or trying to re-enroll at 30+ on the GKV student tariff (it is closed).

    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 single uninsured day during a major change 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.

    De-enrollment date set? Care Expatriate delivers the recognised PDF in 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.

    Bridge the gap — in 3 steps

    10 minutes online, certificate by email, recognised by the Ausländerbehörde. Take out Care Expatriate the same day the de-enrollment date is fixed, then switch to the new program's tariff (DAK student, Care Student or DAK employee) on day 1 of the new immatriculation or contract — see also the de-enrollment guide.

    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 Care Expatriate as a bridge after a Fachwechsel or drop-out from a German university

    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 — bridge cover and continuing student cover

    Quick answer: The two products that get you safely past a Fachwechsel or drop-out: Care Expatriate from €58/month (1–60 months, recognised by the Ausländerbehörde for any § 16 / § 20 AufenthG decision) for the bridge phase, and DAK-Gesundheit student tariff (~€135.52/month) when the new immatriculation continues the student status under 30.

    Bridge phase — Care Expatriate (drop-out, gap year, undecided)

    Three tiers (Basic / Comfort / Premium), 1–60 months, monthly cancellable so it ends cleanly on the day a new immatriculation or job starts:

    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.

    Continuing student tariff — DAK-Gesundheit (under 30, M10)

    ~€135.52/month including the long-term-care contribution, M10 notification to the German university for the new immatriculation, all-in GKV catalogue (ambulant, hospital, prescriptions):

    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 Expatriate AVB, DAK-Gesundheit Beitragssatzordnung 2025, § 5 / § 9 SGB V, § 16b / § 20 AufenthG. The exact price is calculated in the online application.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does a subject change (Fachwechsel) at a German university affect my health insurance?

    Usually no — as long as the change is continuous (the new immatriculation starts the same semester the old one ends) and the German university issues a new enrollment certificate, the statutory student tariff (~€135.52/month at <a href="/en/insurance-plans/dak-gesundheit/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">DAK-Gesundheit students</a>) stays unchanged. The 14-semester rule of § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V counts ALL semesters at any German university, so a late subject change can shorten the remaining time on the cheap student tariff.

    I dropped out of my German degree but did not start a new program — what insurance do I need?

    On the date printed on the de-enrollment certificate the cheap GKV student tariff ends. You have 14 days to apply for voluntary GKV continuation (§ 9 SGB V, ~€210–230/month). If you stay in Germany without income or new study program, the standard bridge is <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-expatriate/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Expatriate from €58/month</a> (up to 5 years), recognised by the Ausländerbehörde for any § 16 / § 20 AufenthG decision. See also our <a href="/en/guide-health-insurance-germany/health-insurance-students-germany/de-enrollment-when-student-status-ends-what-happens-to-health-insurance-germany/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">de-enrollment guide</a> for the full 14-day timeline.

    I am 30+ and want to enroll in a new degree after a Fachwechsel — am I still allowed in the GKV student tariff?

    No — once you reach age 30 (or after the 14th study-semester, § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V), the statutory student tariff is closed. The standard recognised replacement is <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-student/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Student at €101.54/month</a> (HanseMerkur, up to 5 years), which the German university accepts via the M10 notification for immatriculation in the new program. PhD candidates and GKV-exempt students use the same tariff.