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    Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
    All tariffsFind a tariff
    Find a tariff
    DAK student tariff — works with Werkstudent / Minijobfrom €135.52/month (open-ended)
    One hour over the 20h/week limit during semester can lose you the cheap GKV student tariff for the rest of your studies

    Working Student, Mini-Job, Internship in Germany

    4.9/5 · Over 10,000 policies since 2009
    Working student, mini-job and internship — health-insurance differences for foreign students in Germany
    Werkstudent
    ≤ 20h/wk · safe
    Minijob
    ≤ €538/mo · safe
    Praktikum
    Pflicht ≠ freiwillig

    All three formats can be combined with the cheap GKV student tariff — but each has one specific limit that, once crossed, ends the student status:

    1. 1Werkstudent (working student): max 20 hours per week during the lecture period (Werkstudentenprivileg, § 6 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 SGB V). Salary is irrelevant. Outside the semester you may work full-time. Cheap DAK-Gesundheit student tariff from €135.52/month (open-ended) stays in place — only the pension contribution (~9.3%) is deducted.
    2. 2Minijob (geringfügige Beschäftigung): max €538/month per § 8 SGB IV — GKV-neutral. The student tariff stays unchanged at the same price. Pension contribution (~3.6%) can be opted out of. Combining several Minijobs above €538 in total triggers full social insurance.
    3. 3Praktikum (internship): Pflichtpraktikum (mandatory by study regulation) is always insurance-neutral — the student tariff stays regardless of pay/hours. A freiwilliges Praktikum above 20h/wk or €538/mo flips you into a regular employee → DAK-Gesundheit (employees) 17.8% of gross (open-ended) and the cheap student tariff is irreversibly lost for the rest of the studies.

    Not sure which limit applies to your contract? 30-second tariff finder →

    Inside: the one-hour rule that quietly ends the Werkstudentenprivileg · why a Pflichtpraktikum at €4,000/month is still GKV-neutral · the multi-Minijob trap that triggers full social insurance

    Sources: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V (student tariff) · § 6 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 SGB V (Werkstudentenprivileg) · § 8 SGB IV (geringfügige Beschäftigung / Minijob) · § 10 SGB V (Familienversicherung) · § 16b AufenthG (study residence permit) · DAK-Gesundheit Beitragssatzordnung 2025 · Minijob-Zentrale 2026

    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

    Already have a job offer? Confirm in 60 seconds whether your contract keeps the cheap GKV student tariff or switches you to ~17.8% of gross.

    🏛️ 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 with student jobs in Germany

    Quick answer: "Can I keep my cheap student insurance with this job?" — most foreign students run into one of five issues: working 21+ hours during the semester; combining two Minijobs above €538/month; signing a long voluntary internship without checking the regulation; assuming Familienversicherung still applies above ~€505/month income; or forgetting that the 14-semester rule keeps counting in the background.

    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 losing the GKV student tariff actually costs over a 5-year degree

    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.

    Job contract on the table? Lock in DAK student tariff before signing

    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 on the cheap student tariff — in 3 steps

    Confirm the contract type, check the hour/salary limit, get the recognised proof. If a voluntary internship pushes you over the limit, the student tariff ends — see also the de-enrollment timeline 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 working students say about keeping the DAK student tariff during a Werkstudent contract in Germany

    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 — student tariff vs. employee tariff

    Quick answer: Two products cover the entire spectrum: DAK-Gesundheit (students) from €135.52/month for Werkstudent / Minijob / Pflichtpraktikum, and DAK-Gesundheit (employees) at ~17.8% of gross when limits are exceeded.

    Within limits — DAK-Gesundheit (students)

    Stays valid throughout Werkstudent contracts (≤ 20h/wk), Minijobs (≤ €538/month) and any Pflichtpraktikum:

    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.

    Limits exceeded — DAK-Gesundheit (employees)

    ~17.8% of gross income (half paid by the employer), automatic enrolment from day 1 of the contract — applies as soon as the Werkstudent / Minijob limits are crossed:

    DAK-Gesundheit for employees (statutory)
    General contribution rate
    14.6 % of gross
    + 3.2 % DAK supplement = 17.8 %
    Employer / employee share
    8.9 % each
    Paid 50/50
    Compulsory long-term care
    approx. 3.6 % standard
    4.2 % childless from age 23 · reductions depending on number of children
    Total (incl. care, childless)
    ≈ 22.0 % of gross
    Depending on long-term care variant
    Family co-insurance
    possible
    Spouse & children covered under statutory conditions
    Sickness pay (Krankengeld)
    from day 43
    70 % of gross, max 78 weeks
    Compulsory insurance limit (JAEG)
    €77,400 / year
    = €6,450 / month (as of 2026)
    Income-based
    No flat rate — contribution scales with gross salary
    Family covered free
    Spouse without income + children co-insured
    Mandatory under JAEG
    Gross < €77,400 / year → statutory insurance required

    2026 contribution rates: 14.6 % general + 3.2 % DAK supplement = 17.8 %; split 50/50 between employer and employee (8.9 % each). Compulsory long-term care approx. 3.6 % standard, 4.2 % childless from age 23, reductions depending on number of children. Family co-insurance possible under statutory conditions. As of 2026.

    Sources: DAK-Gesundheit Beitragssatzordnung 2025, Minijob-Zentrale 2026, § 5 / § 6 / § 10 SGB V, § 8 SGB IV. The exact price is calculated in the online application.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can I work as a Werkstudent (working student) without losing my cheap German student health insurance?

    Yes — the Werkstudentenprivileg (§ 6 Abs. 1 Nr. 3 SGB V) keeps the statutory student tariff at <a href="/en/insurance-plans/dak-gesundheit/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">DAK-Gesundheit (~€135.52/month)</a> intact as long as you work no more than 20 hours per week during the lecture period. Outside the semester (semester break) you may work full-time without losing the privilege. Only the pension contribution (~9.3% of gross) is deducted from the salary; no GKV contribution from the job.

    Does a Minijob (€538/month) change my health-insurance status as a foreign student in Germany?

    No — a geringfügige Beschäftigung up to €538/month (§ 8 SGB IV) is GKV-neutral. The cheap student tariff stays in place. The employer pays a flat-rate contribution to the GKV (~13% of gross) but you personally pay nothing extra and the tariff price does not change. You may opt out of the pension contribution. Combining several Minijobs above €538/month total triggers full social insurance — and the loss of the student tariff.

    I want to do a long voluntary internship (Praktikum) — what happens to my insurance?

    A Pflichtpraktikum (mandatory by study regulation, confirmed by the university) is always insurance-neutral, regardless of pay or hours — the student tariff stays. A freiwilliges Praktikum above 20h/week or above €538/month during the lecture period ends the Werkstudentenprivileg: you become a regular employee and switch to <a href="/en/insurance-plans/dak-gesundheit-angestellte/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">DAK-Gesundheit (employees) at ~17.8% of gross</a>. The cheap student tariff is then lost for the rest of the studies. PhD candidates / 30+ / GKV-exempt students use <a href="/en/insurance-plans/care-student/overview/" class="text-primary underline underline-offset-2">Care Student at €101.54/month</a> as the recognised replacement.