Health insurance for students from Russia in Germany is subject to the same duties as for every other student. What differs is the process before the course starts: visa and proof procedures run through offices whose situation has changed since 2022. This guide shows the steps, names the offices you must ask, and explains the insurance rules.
Short answer: Students from Russia are subject to compulsory insurance like all students at state or recognised universities once they are enrolled (section 5(1) no. 9 SGB V). For a degree you need a residence permit, because Russia is not on the list of visa-free countries. As an example, the statutory student contribution was about 143 euros a month in 2026 (assumption). Last updated: October 2026.
Key points at a glance
- Compulsory insurance depends on enrolment, not on nationality (section 5(1) no. 9 SGB V).
- For a degree you need a residence permit. Visa-free short stays do not apply to Russia.
- The situation for visa procedures for Russian nationals has changed since 2022. Ask the responsible office for the current process.
- Exemption from statutory insurance must be applied for within three months (section 8 SGB V).
- A policy from Russia does not automatically replace the German proof. Check it in advance.
Do I need a visa if I come from Russia?
Russia is not among the countries whose nationals may enter without a visa under Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806. For a stay to study, you therefore need a residence permit. Under section 16b(1) AufenthG, a residence permit for a full-time course at a state or recognised university is issued once you have a place at the university.
Which office processes your application, and where you can submit it, depends on the current situation. These details change, so check them directly with the mission or on the website of the responsible office before you book appointments. Do not rely on older accounts of procedures.
Which insurance does the university require?
Under section 5(1) no. 9 SGB V, students at state or recognised universities are subject to compulsory insurance until they reach the age of 30. If you already have compulsory cover or family insurance, the student obligation does not apply (section 5(7) SGB V). At enrolment the university checks which cover is in place. It does not decide on the residence permit.
A policy from Russia must meet the information sheet and the requirements of the university. Standards for benefits, cover and duration can differ from those in Germany. Have the policy checked before you submit the application, and get written confirmation that it is accepted.
How does exemption from statutory insurance work?
Under certain conditions you can apply to be exempt from compulsory insurance (section 8 SGB V). The application must reach the health insurer within three months of the start of the obligation. It takes effect from the start of the obligation if no benefits have been used, otherwise from the following month. The exemption cannot be revoked.
The application only works with proof of another entitlement to cover in case of illness. Whether a policy from Russia provides this is checked by the health insurer case by case. A private policy in Germany must also meet the requirements of the visa and the university. Private tariffs usually include a health check, and benefit limits or waiting periods can apply. The differences are explained in our guide Private Health Insurance for International Students.
What does student health insurance cost?
Contributions are calculated from an assessment base. For students living away from their parents, section 236 SGB V sets it at 855 euros a month. The contribution rate for students is 10.22 percent (section 245 SGB V). Your health insurer’s supplementary contribution is added. The Federal Ministry of Health gives an average supplementary rate of 2.9 percent for 2026, but actual rates differ by insurer.
| Item (assumption: 855 euros assessment base, supplementary contribution 2.9 percent, under 23) | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| Health insurance without supplementary contribution (10.22 percent) | 87.38 euros |
| Supplementary contribution (average 2.9 percent) | 24.80 euros |
| Long-term care insurance (3.6 percent, without childless surcharge) | 30.78 euros |
| Total | 142.96 euros |
From age 23 without children, the childless surcharge of 0.6 percentage points for long-term care insurance applies, and the total rises to 148.09 euros a month. The figures match the GKV-Spitzenverband fact sheet on 2026 calculation values (status 1 January 2026). The notice from your health insurer is the figure that counts.
How do I handle financial proof and bank questions?
The responsible office sets the amount of financial proof. Ask for the current figure and have it confirmed, because information from older sources may no longer be correct.
Banking and payment routes between Russia and Germany can be restricted. Questions can therefore arise when you open an account and when you transfer money. Allow time for this and clarify early with your bank which documents it requires. An account that meets the requirements of the financial proof often needs more lead time than expected.
- Agree admission and semester start with the university.
- Check with the responsible office where and how to submit the application.
- Settle the bank and financial proof early and keep written notes of any questions.
- Check the health insurance proof against the information sheet and have it confirmed.
- Book translations, certifications and appointments in good time.
What do I need to consider after my studies?
Student membership ends with de-registration, at the end of the semester (section 190(9) SGB V). If you stay in Germany after graduating, you need new cover that fits your reason for stay. Clarify this transition early with your health insurer and the Ausländerbehörde (immigration office).
Frequently asked questions
Can I study on a tourist stay?
No. Study requires a residence permit, and a tourist stay does not cover it. Clarify the route with the responsible office before you spend money or book flights.
Is my Russian health insurance enough for the visa?
The information sheet of the responsible office decides this. The policy must show benefits, cover and duration as required. Have it checked in advance and keep the written confirmation.
Do I have to take out statutory insurance in Germany?
As a student at a state or recognised university, you are subject to compulsory insurance until the age of 30, unless a prior obligation or family insurance applies. Exemption is possible but subject to conditions.
When does the exemption deadline run out?
Three months after the start of compulsory insurance. Note the date as soon as you are enrolled. If you have already used benefits, the exemption takes effect only from the month after the application.
What if my start date is postponed?
A postponed date also postpones the start of the obligation. Ask the university whether you can start later, and renew your proofs before they expire so that they still apply to your application.
What to do next
- Ask the responsible office about the current application route for your studies.
- Clarify admission, semester start and deadlines with the university.
- Have the insurance and the financial proof confirmed in writing by your bank and insurer.
- After enrolment: confirm compulsory insurance and note the three-month deadline for a possible exemption.
Related reading
- Health Insurance for International Students in Germany
- Public or Private Health Insurance for International Students
- Health Insurance Enrolment: Proof, Procedure and Exemption
- Health insurance for students from China in Germany
Sources:
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 on the visa requirement, Annex II (status October 2026)
- Section 5 SGB V, compulsory insurance (statute, German text, status October 2026)
- Section 8 SGB V, exemption (statute, German text, status October 2026)
- Section 236 SGB V, assessment base (statute, German text, status October 2026)
- Section 16b AufenthG, study (statute, German text, status October 2026)
- GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 calculation values (status 1 January 2026, German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
