Health Insurance for Foreign Students in Germany – from €27.50/month

Last reviewed: 2026-04-23 · by Steffan Grund (insurance expert, Krankenversicherung-Auslaender.de) · sources: DAK-Gesundheit, GKV-Spitzenverband, BAMF, DAAD, Auswärtiges Amt.

Sources: DAK-Gesundheit · Techniker Krankenkasse · Barmer · AOK · GKV-Spitzenverband · § 5 + § 8 SGB V · HanseMerkur GTC · Care Concept AG · BAMF · DAAD · Study in Germany · Auswärtiges Amt

No health insurance — no university enrollment. That is usually the simple rule in Germany. Whether Bachelor, Master, exchange or Erasmus semester, language course, DSH preparation, Studienkolleg (Feststellungsprüfung), PhD / doctoral programme or guest scientist position: without a valid German Versicherungsbescheinigung the matriculation office typically refuses enrollment. The same usually applies to all international students, foreign pupils, language-school attendees and doctoral candidates — both EU and non-EU.

The good news: health insurance for foreign students in Germany starts from €27.50/month with Care College — often cheaper than a gym membership. Under-30s at a German university usually join a statutory gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV)such as DAK-Gesundheit — Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Barmer and AOK work the same way and all send the M10 electronic notification to the university. Students over 30, formally exempt from GKV (Befreiung von der Versicherungspflicht under § 8 SGB V) or in PhD programmes typically use the GKV-equivalent Care Student. The Versicherungsbescheinigung usually arrives by email within minutes — ready for the German embassy, the residence permit appointment at the Ausländerbehörde and, for over-30 students, the Sperrkonto / blocked account opening.

Below: who needs which insurance (eligibility table), GKV vs PKV comparison, the M10 enrollment notification explained, the visa-vs- university timeline, 2026 cost overview, EHIC for EU students, plus a German insurance glossary — and why a single wrong decision on the GKV exemption can typically lock you in for your entire studies.

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.

• 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.

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.

Recommended student health insurance — by case

Care College — all prices by age & duration

Quick answer: Care College — the recommended private tariff for language schools, Studienkolleg and DSH preparation — starts at €27.50/month (up to age 29) and €33.50–99/month from age 30. Designed for visa, residence-permit and authority proof; final acceptance depends on the responsible embassy, university or Ausländerbehörde. Note: Care College is not an M10 tariff for university enrollment — for that you need DAK Studenten (under 30) or Care Student (from €101.54/month for ages 12–29; €127.60/month for ages 30–39). (Au-pairs do not use Care College — they use the dedicated Care Au-Pair tariff.)

Who needs student health insurance in Germany? — eligibility by case

Quick answer: The right tariff usually depends on three factors: your age, your study format (degree programme, Studienkolleg, language course, PhD, exchange), and whether you are EU or non-EU. The table below summarises the typical match for each segment — final acceptance is decided by the individual university and the Ausländerbehörde.

Public vs private health insurance for international students — GKV vs PKV

Quick answer: Most under-30 university students join the statutory student tariff (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung / GKV) — typically with DAK-Gesundheit, Techniker Krankenkasse, Barmer or AOK. Students over 30, GKV-exempt students, language-school attendees, Studienkolleg and many PhD candidates often use a private route (Care Student or Care College). Both choices have trade-offs.

What is the M10 electronic notification?

Quick answer: The M10 (or "elektronische Meldung M10") is the digital insurance proof that your German Krankenkasse — typically DAK-Gesundheit, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), Barmer or AOK — sends directly to the university's enrollment office. Without that electronic confirmation the matriculation usually cannot be finalised.

For over-30 or GKV-exempt students, Care Student can support the required electronic insurance-status process for eligible private/exemption routes (the M10 procedure under § 199a SGB V is mandatory and paper forms are no longer accepted). Care College, by contrast, is a private Incoming tariff for the student visa, residence permit and language / Studienkolleg courses — it is not an M10 product for university enrollment.

Visa proof vs university enrollment proof — timeline

Quick answer: German embassies and German universities require different insurance proofs at different points. The typical sequence:

1. 1. Before visa
   Versicherungsbescheinigung for the German embassy / consulate (Care College, Care Student, or DAK confirmation).
2. 2. Before arrival
   Cover starts on travel date — PDF certificate ready in your visa file.
3. 3. Admission letter
   University admission (Zulassung) received — choose your enrollment insurer.
4. 4. Before enrollment
   Insurer sends the M10 electronic notification directly to the university (DAK / TK / Barmer / AOK / Care Student).
5. 5. After arrival
   Residence permit appointment at the Ausländerbehörde — present the same Versicherungsbescheinigung.

German student health insurance costs in 2026

Quick answer: Indicative 2026 monthly costs — final premium depends on age, tier and duration. Prices are the cheapest student tariffs typically accepted by German universities and the Ausländerbehörde.

Travel insurance (e.g. Care Visa Protect from €0.85/day) is for short Schengen visits up to 92 days — it is not designed for university enrollment or the long-term residence permit.

Health insurance by student profile

Key German insurance terminology for international students

Krankenversicherung

Health insurance — mandatory for everyone in Germany.

Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV)

Statutory public health insurance — DAK, TK, Barmer, AOK and others.

Private Krankenversicherung (PKV)

Substitutive private health insurance — used by exempt students and high-income employees.

Pflegeversicherung

Long-term care insurance — automatically added to GKV contributions.

Versicherungsbescheinigung

Insurance certificate required by embassy, university and Ausländerbehörde.

Befreiung von der Versicherungspflicht (§ 8 SGB V)

Exemption from compulsory GKV — usually irrevocable for the whole degree.

Zusatzbeitrag

Additional contribution charged on top of the statutory GKV base rate.

Sperrkonto

Blocked account — financial proof for the student visa, often combined with insurance.

Aufenthaltserlaubnis

Residence permit issued by the Ausländerbehörde after arrival.

Feststellungsprüfung

Studienkolleg final exam qualifying foreign students for German universities.

M10-Meldung

Electronic enrollment notification sent by the insurer directly to the university.

EHIC

European Health Insurance Card — usually covers EU students for short stays.

Health insurance for students from India, Pakistan, China and other countries

Quick answer: Many international students in Germany come from countries such as India, China, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Vietnam, Syria, Ukraine and Russia. The German insurance rules are generally the same for all foreign students — your exact route depends on whether you are an EU or non-EU student, your age, your study phase and whether you are already enrolled at a German university.

For example, an Indian or Pakistani student starting with a language course or Studienkolleg usually needs private incoming student insurance first, such as Care College. A Bachelor's or Master's student under 30 may later switch to statutory student health insurance such as DAK-Gesundheit, TK, Barmer or AOK after university enrollment. Students over 30, PhD candidates and GKV-exempt students often need a private student route such as Care Student.

For embassy-proof, visa appointment and first-day-of-arrival cover, see our dedicated guide to health insurance for the German student visa.

Important: Your country of origin does not usually change the German insurance rules. An Indian, Pakistani, Chinese, Egyptian, Moroccan, Bangladeshi, Nepalese, Nigerian or Cameroonian student must follow the same German framework for university enrollment, GKV eligibility and residence-permit proof (§ 5 / § 8 SGB V). What changes is the typical journey: some students arrive first for a language course, Studienkolleg or visa-preparation phase, while others enter Germany directly for a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD program.

Cost of student health insurance in Germany — by student profile

Health insurance for international students in Germany

International students in Germany need health insurance for several steps: visa or entry, university enrollment, residence permit and medical treatment during the stay. The right route depends on age, study type and country of origin. Bachelor's and master's students under 30 often use statutory public health insurance such as DAK, TK, Barmer or AOK. Language students, Studienkolleg students, students over 30 and many PhD candidates often need a private or incoming student insurance route — typically Care College for the preparation phase and Care Student after matriculation. The same framework applies to German health insurance for international students from any non-EU country.

Medical insurance vs health insurance — same thing

In this guide, health insurance and medical insurance mean the same thing: insurance that covers doctor visits, hospital treatment, prescriptions and emergency medical care in Germany. Searchers often use phrases such as medical insurance for students in Germany or medical insurance for international students in Germany — the German legal term is Krankenversicherung (statutory GKV or private PKV).

Public health insurance vs private health insurance for international students

Many students search for public health insurance for students in Germany or public health insurance for international students in Germany. In Germany, this usually means statutory health insurance, called gesetzliche Krankenversicherung or GKV — typically DAK-Gesundheit, Techniker Krankenkasse, Barmer or AOK for under-30 enrolled students. Private health insurance for international students is called private Krankenversicherung or PKV and is mainly relevant for over-30, GKV-exempt, language-course, Studienkolleg and many PhD cases (Care Student, Care College).

Cheapest and best health insurance for international students in Germany

The cheapest health insurance for international students in Germany is not always the best choice. Care College from €27.50/month can be the cheapest route for the language-course or Studienkolleg phase. Enrolled under-30 degree students usually need statutory public insurance (DAK, TK, Barmer or AOK) — which is the only route that triggers the M10 university notification for them. Over-30 students may need Care Student at €127.60/month. The "best" tariff is the one that matches your age, study phase and visa case — not just the lowest premium.

Frequently Asked Questions