Health insurance for students from Iran in Germany depends on two questions: how you get your visa, and which insurance the university requires. The first question is currently difficult. This guide separates what the available sources establish, what may change, and where you can get reliable information.
Short answer: For students from Iran, the compulsory insurance rules are the same as for every student at a German university (section 5(1) no. 9 SGB V). The visa situation is hard to judge: according to a report of 27 May 2026, the visa office in Tehran was temporarily closed. 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).
- Reports from May 2026 describe a temporary closure of the visa office in Tehran. The current situation can only be confirmed by the responsible office.
- The information sheet of the mission that processes your application is the binding basis for proof.
- Exemption from statutory insurance must be applied for within three months (section 8 SGB V).
- For bank accounts and transfers from Iran, expect questions from the bank and allow extra time.
What is the visa situation for students from Iran?
According to a report by The Local dated 27 May 2026, the German Embassy in Tehran has been working at reduced capacity since June 2025. The Federal Foreign Office reportedly said the visa office is temporarily closed because of the security situation. Acceptance of applications through the external provider TLScontact was stopped in January 2026. The report relies on statements from the Foreign Office. We have not seen an official notice, so check these details yourself before making any decision.
The report also says that some individual cases are now handled through the mission in Yerevan (Armenia). According to the report, this applies only to applications that were already well advanced before the suspension. The Foreign Office has said it wants to expand visa processing for Iranian nationals, but it also mentioned further preparations. The reports do not show reliably when this will happen.
For your planning this means: clarify with the university whether starting in your intended semester is realistic. Postponements to a later semester do happen to affected applicants, as the case examples in the report show. Do not rely on older information on deadlines. Ask the responsible office directly and in writing.
Do I need health insurance for the visa?
For a full-time course at a state or recognised university, a residence permit is issued under section 16b(1) AufenthG once you have a place at the university. Whether a proof of health insurance is also required, and in which form, is stated in the information sheet of the mission that handles your application. Because applications in Tehran are currently restricted, read the sheet of the office that actually processes your file.
A policy from Iran does not automatically replace the German proof. Check in advance whether it shows benefits, cover and duration as the sheet requires. Get the confirmation in writing and keep it with your admission letter.
How should I plan finances and the proof of funds?
The mission sets the amount of financial proof. Amounts from other countries or from older information sheets do not apply. Ask the responsible office for the current figure and have the answer confirmed in writing.
Bank accounts and transfers linked to Iran can lead to questions from the bank. Such checks are part of the normal process for proof of funds. If you start early, you have more time to supply documents and to clarify alternatives.
- Clarify admission and timetable with the university before you transfer money or sign contracts.
- Read the information sheet of the responsible office and write down the document list.
- Request the proof of funds from your bank and check the form the mission accepts.
- Agree the health insurance proof on benefits, cover and duration.
- Obtain translations and certifications as the sheet requires, and book appointments with enough lead time.
What if my start date moves?
A postponed visa appointment can move your start date. Ask the university whether a later start is possible and whether your admission also applies to another semester. Renew documents with an expiry date, such as insurance proof or bank statements, before they become unusable for the application.
When does compulsory insurance start at university?
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. Nationality makes no difference. If you already have compulsory cover or family insurance, the student obligation does not apply (section 5(7) SGB V). Membership ends with the semester in which you are de-registered (section 190(9) SGB V).
How does exemption work, and what role does foreign insurance play?
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 foreign policy provides this is checked by the health insurer case by case. A private policy 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 between the routes are explained in our guide Public or 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.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still apply despite the situation in Tehran?
Your university application is a separate step. The visa is the bottleneck, because applications are restricted. Ask the university whether it will admit you for a later semester, and ask the embassy which route your application currently takes.
Is my insurance from abroad 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 get the confirmation in writing.
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 (section 5(1) no. 9 and (7), section 8 SGB V).
When does the exemption deadline run out?
Three months after the start of compulsory insurance. Note the date in your calendar as soon as you are enrolled. If you have already used benefits, the exemption takes effect only from the month after the application.
What happens if I leave my studies?
When you are de-registered, student membership ends with the end of the semester (section 190(9) SGB V). Clarify early how you will be insured afterwards and whether your residence status is affected. The Ausländerbehörde (immigration office) is responsible for that question.
What to do next
- Clarify admission, semester start and deadlines with the university.
- Ask the responsible mission in writing about the current process and the documents.
- Agree the insurance and financial proof with your bank and insurer before you submit applications.
- After arrival: enrol at the university, check compulsory insurance and note the three-month deadline.
Related reading
- Health Insurance for International Students in Germany
- Health Insurance Enrolment: Proof, Procedure and Exemption
- Private Health Insurance for International Students
- Health insurance for students from Nepal in Germany
Sources:
- The Local, report on visa procedures for Iranian students (27 May 2026, citing the Federal Foreign Office)
- Section 5 SGB V, compulsory insurance (statute, German text, status October 2026)
- Section 8 SGB V, exemption (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.
