Student health insurance in Germany (Studentische Krankenversicherung, KVdS) ends in the semester in which you turn 30. This guide explains until when the obligation applies, what contributions apply in 2026, and which options you have afterwards to keep your cover without a gap.
Short answer: Student health insurance ends at the close of the semester in which you complete your 30th year of life (§ 5 para. 1 no. 9 SGB V). Afterwards you need other cover, for example voluntary statutory or private health insurance. As an example (assumption, 2026), a voluntary member without sick pay entitlement pays about 270 euros per month for health and long-term care contributions. Last updated: October 2026.
The Most Important Points in Brief
- Compulsory student cover ends at the close of the semester in which you turn 30 (§ 5 para. 1 no. 9 and § 190 para. 9 SGB V).
- During the obligation, you pay about 143 euros per month in 2026 for health and long-term care insurance (assumption: contribution base 855 euros, average supplementary contribution 2.9 percent, without childless surcharge).
- Joining voluntary statutory insurance requires notice within three months (§ 9 para. 2 SGB V).
- As a voluntary member you pay at least on the basis of a minimum contribution base. The example further below shows the order of magnitude.
- Private health insurance has its own admission conditions and premiums, which depend on age, health and tariff.
- If you take up paid employment, you are generally compulsorily insured again (§ 5 para. 1 no. 1 SGB V).
Until When Does Student Health Insurance Apply?
Compulsory insurance for students at state or recognised universities applies until the age of 30 (§ 5 para. 1 no. 9 SGB V). Under § 190 para. 9 SGB V, membership ends at the close of the last semester for which you are enrolled or re-registered if you turn 30 by the end of that semester. The same age limit applies to mandatory unpaid internships (§ 5 para. 1 no. 10 SGB V).
Being de-registered from university also ends membership, regardless of age (§ 190 para. 9 SGB V). For the age limit, however, the semester matters, not the day of your birthday. The table below uses an assumption that the summer semester ends on 30 September.
| Your 30th birthday | End of compulsory cover (assumption) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 15 May 2027 | 30 September 2027 | Birthday in the summer semester, cover ends with the semester |
| 10 October 2027 | 31 March 2028 | Birthday in the winter semester, cover ends with the semester |
What Does Student Health Insurance Cost While It Applies?
For students who do not live with their parents, contributions are based on one thirtieth of the BAföG requirement (§ 236 SGB V). For 2026 this gives a contribution base of 855 euros per month. At a contribution rate of 10.22 percent, the health insurance contribution without the supplementary contribution is 87.38 euros (§ 245 SGB V, GKV-Spitzenverband, status 1 January 2026). Each health insurer sets its own supplementary contribution on top. The average for 2026 is 2.9 percent, while the rate of your own fund may differ.
| Component (2026, assumption) | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| Health insurance without supplementary contribution | 87.38 euros |
| Supplementary contribution at the average rate (2.9 percent) | 24.80 euros |
| Long-term care insurance without childless surcharge | 30.78 euros |
| Total without childless surcharge | 142.96 euros |
| Total with childless surcharge (from age 23, no child) | 148.09 euros |
The source of these calculation figures is the GKV-Spitzenverband fact sheet on contribution calculation for 2026. The total with the childless surcharge applies to insured persons aged 23 or over without a child.
How Does Cover Continue After Your 30th Birthday?
Once the compulsory student status ends, you need other cover for illness. Typical routes are voluntary statutory insurance, private health insurance, or compulsory insurance through paid employment. Family insurance is generally no longer possible, because children in training are only insured up to the age limit of 25 (§ 10 para. 2 SGB V).
In voluntary statutory insurance, the contribution follows your income but is at least based on a minimum contribution base. The following example is an assumption for 2026 and does not replace information from your health insurer.
| Example (assumption, 2026) | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| Minimum contribution base 1,318.33 euros, health insurance at the reduced rate of 14.0 percent plus 2.9 percent supplementary contribution | 222.80 euros |
| Long-term care insurance at 3.6 percent | 47.46 euros |
| Total without childless surcharge | 270.26 euros |
| Total with childless surcharge (care at 4.2 percent) | 278.17 euros |
The example is an order of magnitude, not your contribution. It assumes that you have no higher income and that the reduced rate under § 243 SGB V applies, because you have no entitlement to sick pay. Your health insurer will check whether this applies to you.
Step by Step: Checking Your Transition
- Work out in which semester you turn 30 and note the end date of that semester.
- Ask your health insurer from when your obligation ends and which follow-on options are open to you.
- Note the three-month deadline for voluntary insurance (§ 9 para. 2 SGB V).
- Compare the contributions and benefits of private health insurance before you apply.
- If you take up a paid job, check whether you are compulsorily insured again.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly happens on my 30th birthday?
The compulsory insurance as a student does not end on the birthday itself, but at the close of the semester in which you turn 30. Plan your transition during your last semester so that no gap arises.
Do I have to arrange follow-on insurance myself?
That depends on your situation. For voluntary statutory insurance you must notify joining within three months (§ 9 para. 2 SGB V). Ask your health insurer early which steps are expected from you.
Is private insurance always more expensive after 30?
That cannot be said in general. Private premiums depend on age, health status and tariff, among other things. A comparison with voluntary statutory insurance should consider benefits, deductibles and how premiums develop over time.
Does the age limit also apply to an internship?
Yes. For mandatory unpaid vocational internships the same age limit of 30 applies (§ 5 para. 1 no. 10 SGB V). Paid internships follow the general rules for employees.
Where can I find the current contribution rates?
The GKV-Spitzenverband publishes the national calculation figures. Your own supplementary contribution rate is set by your health insurer. The figures in this guide apply to 2026 and change regularly.
What You Should Do Now
- Check your date of birth against the end of the semester and find out when your obligation ends.
- Ask your health insurer which follow-on insurance is available to you.
- Compare voluntary statutory insurance and private offers by benefits, not only by price. For a personal assessment you can also contact academycon.de.
- Register in time so that no gap in cover arises.
Related Guides
- Health Insurance for Students Over 30 in Germany
- Student Health Insurance Costs by Age in Germany
- Private health insurance for students over 30: your options (in German)
- Compulsory insurance threshold for students (in German)
Sources: § 5 SGB V, compulsory insurance (gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved October 2026); § 190 SGB V, end of membership (gesetze-im-internet.de, October 2026); § 9 SGB V, voluntary insurance (gesetze-im-internet.de, October 2026); GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on contribution calculation (status 1 January 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
