Working Student, Mini-Job, Internship in Germany
- Werkstudent ≤ 20h/wk: DAK student tariff stays from €135.52/mo (Werkstudentenprivileg · vs. ~17.8% gross as employee)
- Minijob ≤ €538/mo: GKV-neutral, student tariff unchanged (§ 8 SGB IV · vs. losing student tariff for good)
- Voluntary Praktikum > limits: DAK employees ~17.8% of gross (employer pays half · student tariff irreversibly lost)
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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.
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.
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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.
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Complete the application
Enter your passport, university/program and stay details. M10 applies to DAK Student and Care Student university enrollment flows.
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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
“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
Cameroon
“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
Russia
“Found the best solution and best service for health insurance for foreign visitors and guests in Germany.
Fast, simple and affordable.
Highly recommended!”
Michael
Germany
“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
Australia
Now choose your plan
The 2 products that cover student jobs the right way
DAK-Gesundheit Students
from €145.52 / month
(effectively from €135.52 with DAK Garantietarif 120 possible)
For international students in Germany up to age 29
- Accepted for university enrollment – electronic M10 notification
- Visa confirmation directly after application
- Statutory health insurance + mandatory long-term care insurance included
- Doctor, dentist, hospital, pharmacy & prescription medication coverage
- Health insurance card for medical treatment in Germany
- Apply online from your home country – no German address required
- Save €120 per year with DAK Garantietarif 120 possible
- Alternative: DAK Fit & Travel with additional benefits
- 2026 contributions: from €145.52 · effectively from €135.52 possible
- Reputable statutory health insurance provider
Why DAK-Gesundheit?
For international students in Germany who need statutory health insurance for a visa, university and enrollment — including M10 notification and a health insurance card.
Why statutory student health insurance?
More security for your studies and enrollment: full statutory health coverage, electronic notification to the university and clear acceptance for enrollment.
- 🏛️ DAK-Gesundheit
- 📄 M10 notification + visa confirmation after application
- 🔒 Doctor, dentist, clinic, pharmacy & prescription medication
- 🏷️ From €145.52 / month · effectively from €135.52 possible
→ Complete the application, receive visa confirmation, secure your M10 notification
DAK-Gesundheit Employees
currently 17.8% of gross income
(employer pays half · plus long-term care insurance)
For foreign employees with a social-security-covered job in Germany
- Statutory health insurance for employees in Germany
- Employer pays half of the health insurance contribution
- Family coverage for spouse & children may be possible under statutory rules
- Doctor, dentist, hospital, pharmacy & prescription medication coverage
- Health insurance card for medical treatment in Germany
- EU/EEA coverage via the European Health Insurance Card
- Save €120 per year with DAK Garantietarif 120 possible
- Optional: DAK Fit & Travel with additional benefits up to age 39
- Mandatory long-term care insurance also applies
- Reputable statutory health insurance provider
Why DAK-Gesundheit?
For foreign employees in Germany who need statutory health insurance with a health insurance card, employer contribution and possible family coverage.
Why statutory health insurance as an employee?
More security in everyday working life in Germany: the employer pays half, family members may be covered free of charge under certain conditions, and medical treatment is handled easily through the health insurance card.
- 🏛️ DAK-Gesundheit
- 📄 Membership certificate for employers & authorities
- 🔒 Doctor, dentist, clinic, pharmacy & prescription medication
- 🏷️ Currently 17.8% of gross income · employer pays half
→ Complete the application, start your membership, receive your health insurance card
30+, PhD or GKV-exempt? Care Student from €101.54/month (up to 5 years) is the recognised replacement (M10 to the university). Compare all 11 tariffs in the foreign-students hub.
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)
|
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
Working student vs mini-job — which one changes German student health insurance?
Werkstudent status (up to 20h/week during lectures) keeps you on DAK-Studenten (~€135.52/month). A pure mini-job up to €538/month stays under the marginal-employment threshold and also leaves the student tariff intact — full-time work above 20h triggers regular GKV.
Is a mini-job allowed on a German student residence permit?
Yes — under § 16b AufenthG international students may work 140 full or 280 half days per year plus unlimited hours during semester break. A €538/month mini-job counts inside that quota and does not affect the DAK-Studenten (~€135.52/month) tariff.
What happens to health insurance during a paid internship in Germany?
A mandatory internship (Pflichtpraktikum) during studies is insurance-free — DAK-Studenten (~€135.52/month) continues. A voluntary paid internship over 20h/week triggers regular GKV via the employer (~17.8% of gross, split 50/50).
Do Werkstudent contributions replace DAK-Studenten in Germany?
No — GKV, unemployment and long-term care contributions are waived.
Does a mini-job count towards the 140/280-day rule for international students in Germany?
Yes — all employment — Werkstudent, mini-job or internship — counts against the 140 full / 280 half days per calendar year cap under § 16b AufenthG. Exceeding it can affect the student residence permit; DAK-Studenten (~€135.52/month) coverage itself is unchanged.
Do I keep my student health insurance as a working student in Germany?
Yes, as long as you work no more than 20 hours per week during lecture periods (the 'Werkstudentenprivileg'). Your GKV student rate (~€135/month) remains unchanged. During semester breaks, you can work more hours without losing this status — up to 27,50 €/Monatweeks per year.
Does a minijob affect my health insurance as an international student?
No, a minijob up to €556/month typically has no impact on your GKV student rate. However, if you exceed the income limit, the job becomes a 'Midijob' with mandatory social insurance contributions. Always check your total income across all jobs.
What happens to my insurance during an internship in Germany?
For mandatory internships (required by your study program), your student health insurance remains unaffected regardless of pay. Voluntary internships over 3 months with pay above €556/month may trigger social insurance obligations. For more details, see the DAK student rate.