Health Insurance for International Students in Germany – Statutory, Private, Costs and Enrollment
- DAK-Gesundheit: from €135.52/month (under 30, statutory + M10)
- Care Student: from €101.54/month (30+/GKV-exempt, GKV-equivalent)
- Care College: from €27.50/month (preparatory: language course / Studienkolleg)
Sources: § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V (statutory student insurance) · § 8 SGB V (GKV exemption) · M10 electronic notification (DVKA) · § 5 AufenthG · DAK-Gesundheit · HanseMerkur AVB · Care Concept AG
Every international student enrolling at a German university must submit an electronic M10 health-insurance notification before matriculation can be completed. The university registrar's office (Studierendensekretariat) does not enrol any student without this digital confirmation — transmitted directly from the insurer to the university — and the German Ausländerbehörde re-checks the same proof before extending the student residence permit under § 5 AufenthG.
Under age 30 and not yet completed the 14th study semester, statutory student insurance is mandatory: DAK-Gesundheit from approx. €135.52/month (with-kid bracket €145.52/month, childless from age 23 €150.65/month — figures include long-term care insurance). Age 30 and over, PhD candidates, or students who have applied for statutory exemption (§ 8 SGB V) use Care Student at €101.54/month (all-in: CCS health + PVN supplement + €8.50 Pflegeversicherung).
Below: the M10 notification flow step by step, the age-30 split and what triggers the switch from DAK to Care Student, full price tables, and how to obtain the M10 confirmation in time for the matriculation deadline.
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
Enrolling at a German university? Pick the recognised tariff for the M10 e-notification.
Four mistakes that delay matriculation at German universities
Quick answer: "Why was my matriculation rejected?" — most international students stumble on one of four points: paid for travel insurance instead of statutory student cover, missed the age-30 cut-off and applied for DAK instead of Care Student, no M10 notification transmitted in time, or used a non-recognised home-country policy. DAK and Care Student remove all four by default.
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 happens if the M10 notification is missing on enrolment day
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.
🇪🇺
€30,000 minimum
Schengen proof must be clear
Your certificate should clearly show the required coverage amount, Schengen validity, travel dates and repatriation benefits.
- 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.
Matriculation deadlines are fixed — secure the M10 confirmation first
Why act before the embassy appointment
Schengen visa insurance is not just a formality. Your proof should clearly show the required coverage, dates, validity area and repatriation benefits.
Appointments can be limited
If the proof is missing or unsuitable, preparing corrected documents can cost valuable time.
PDF certificate after application
Care Visa Protect provides the certificate by email after successful online application.
€30,000 minimum coverage
Schengen insurance should show at least €30,000 coverage plus medical repatriation for the Schengen Area.
From €0.85/day
Care Visa Protect starts from €0.85/day, with a minimum premium of €8.50 per trip.
From booking to M10 confirmation — in 3 steps
10 minutes online. M10 e-notification transmitted directly to the German university registrar. PDF certificate by email for the Ausländerbehörde residence-permit appointment.
Schengen-ready in 3 steps
Proof of insurance for Schengen visa applications, including the €30,000 minimum-coverage requirement.
-
Pick the right plan
Care Visa Protect for short Schengen stays · Care Economy for the Opportunity Card or longer visitor stays.
-
Apply online
Enter passport, travel dates and destination. For Care Visa Protect, purchase before entry when required.
-
Submit your proof
Receive the PDF certificate after successful online application and submit it with your visa or authority documents.
What international students enrolling at German universities say about DAK-Gesundheit (statutory student cover under 30) and Care Student (€101.54/month all-in for over-30s and PhD candidates) — the M10 e-notification transmitted directly to the registrar, instant PDF for the Ausländerbehörde, and the predictable monthly premium throughout the entire degree
“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
Recommended student tariffs — by age group
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
Care Student
from €101.54 / month (coverage up to 5 years)
For international students in Germany: bachelor's, master's, doctoral studies & eligible university enrollment cases
- Accepted for university enrollment – electronic M10 notification
- Health insurance + mandatory long-term care insurance from €101.54/month
- Save at least €50/month compared with statutory student health insurance
- For bachelor's, master's, doctoral studies & eligible university enrollment flows
- Private-patient status: free choice of doctor, often faster appointments
- Doctor, hospital, prescription medication & dental treatment coverage
- Support with exemption from statutory health insurance
- Recognized by universities and immigration authorities
- Coverage term up to 5 years · entry age 12–39
- Reputable insurance carrier
Why Care Student?
For international students in Germany who need private health insurance for enrollment, M10 notification and proof of coverage for authorities — with strong benefits and potential savings compared with statutory health insurance.
Why a 5-year coverage term?
More planning security during your studies: less renewal stress and a lower risk of a coverage gap during a bachelor's, master's, doctoral program or eligible university enrollment case.
- 🏛️ HanseMerkur Insurance AG
- 📄 M10 notification + proof for universities & immigration authorities
- 🔒 Doctor, clinic, dental treatment & prescription medication
- 🏷️ From €101.54 / month · coverage up to 5 years
→ Complete the application, secure your M10 notification, prepare for enrollment
Still in language preparation or Studienkolleg before official matriculation? Care College from €27.50/month (up to age 29) or €33.50/month (age 30+) is the standard recognised tariff before the M10 mandate kicks in at university enrolment.
New here? See the foreign-student health-insurance overview. Need a blocked account too? Blocked account (Sperrkonto) for the German student visa from €4.90/month covers the visa funds requirement.
DAK-Gesundheit — all student rates by age & family status
Quick answer: DAK-Gesundheit student insurance starts at approx. €135.52/month (with-kid bracket €145.52/month, childless from age 23 €150.65/month). The premium already includes long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) and is the statutory student tariff for under-30s 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 — full €101.54/month breakdown
Quick answer: Care Student costs €101.54/month all-in: CCS health (€35) plus PVN supplement (€58.04) plus Pflegeversicherung (€8.50). Covers ages 12–39 for up to 60 months and is the standard recognised tariff for students over 30, PhD candidates and students with a statutory GKV exemption under § 8 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.
Frequently asked questions about international-student health insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
I am 32 and start a Master's in Germany — which insurance?
Care Student is the standard solution for students over 30: €101.54/month total, accepted by every German university via M10 e-notification.
Are PhD students also covered?
Yes — Care Student covers PhD candidates (Doktoranden) for up to 60 months (5 years).
Does Care Student include long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung)?
Yes. The €101.54/month total premium already includes the mandatory long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) component (€8.50/month).
Over 10,000 policies issued · Since 2009