The age limit of 30 affects students in two settings: statutory student health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung der Studierenden, KVdS) and student tariffs (Studierendentarife) offered by private insurers. The two are not the same. This guide separates the cases, shows which rules are binding and where you need to read the terms of your tariff. It does not replace a review of your tariff, but it shows which questions you should ask.
Short answer: Compulsory membership in statutory student health insurance ends at the close of the semester in which you turn 30 (§ 190 (9) SGB V). A private student tariff has no statutory age limit. Its limit is set out in the tariff terms of the respective insurer. Stand: October 2026.
Key points at a glance
- Compulsory membership in statutory student health insurance ends at the close of the semester in which you turn 30, or on deregistration (Exmatrikulation).
- The age limit works as the end point of compulsory membership, not as a fixed entry limit.
- Private student tariffs have their own age limits, which differ by insurer and tariff.
- If you switch to other cover, make sure there is no gap in between.
- Check the tariff and its conditions in writing before you commit.
When does statutory student health insurance end?
Compulsory insurance as a student ends at the close of the semester in which you turn 30 (§ 190 (9) SGB V). The decisive semester is the one for which you were last enrolled or re-registered (zurückgemeldet) (§ 190 (9) SGB V). Deregistration also ends membership. The table shows two examples with assumptions about semester dates.
| Birthday (turning 30) | Semester | End of compulsory membership (assumption) |
|---|---|---|
| 14 February 2027 | Winter semester 2026/27 | 31 March 2027 |
| 15 May 2027 | Summer semester 2027 | 30 September 2027 |
Assumption for the table: the semesters run from 1 April to 30 September and from 1 October to 31 March. Your university will tell you the exact dates of your re-registration.
What is a student tariff in private health insurance?
Private insurers often offer their own tariffs for students. They are not a statutory offering but a contract with the insurer. As a result, the rules of the contract apply, not those of the Social Code (Sozialgesetzbuch). Whether a student tariff is offered, up to what age it applies and which benefits it contains is determined by each insurer in its tariff. There is therefore no single figure for all providers.
A private student tariff can fit if certain benefits in the tariff are important to you, or if you are healthy and want to plan the tariff beyond your studies. It can be less suitable if a predictable contribution matters most to you, because private contributions can change with age and through adjustments.
How do you check the age limit in the tariff?
- Ask for the tariff together with the insurance conditions, in writing.
- Look for the wording on the age limit, proof of study and tariff changes.
- Ask the insurer until when you can use the student tariff and what happens to the contract afterwards.
- Compare the contribution with a standard tariff with the same benefits, so that you know the difference.
- Note the deadlines so that no insurance cover is lost.
What happens when student insurance ends?
Then you are no longer compulsorily insured as a student and need other cover. In Germany, there has been an obligation to be insured for health care since 2009 (§ 193 (3) of the Insurance Contract Act, VVG). A gap can be expensive, because treatment costs then have to be paid by you. Those who plan early have more time to compare offers and avoid having to decide under time pressure. Which option fits depends on employment, income and health. Personal advice can help, for example through the way Academycon works, see how we work (in German).
What is the difference between statutory KVdS and a private student tariff?
Both routes protect you in case of illness, but they follow different rules. The following table lists the most important differences.
| Feature | Statutory KVdS | Private student tariff |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Social Code Book V (§ 5 (1) No. 9 SGB V) | Insurance contract with the tariff terms |
| Contribution | Based on the assessment base and the additional contribution | According to tariff, age and health check |
| Age limit | End of the semester after turning 30 (§ 190 (9) SGB V) | Set out in the tariff terms of the insurer |
| Benefits | Statutory benefit catalogue | As agreed in the tariff |
| Switching | Through a statutory health insurer | Through the insurer and its rules |
With private tariffs, what is written in the contract is decisive. Information that rests only on general knowledge is not enough for this purpose.
Which questions should you ask the insurer?
- Until what age can I use the student tariff?
- What happens to the contract if the requirement of being a student no longer applies?
- Which contributions apply after a tariff change, and how are they adjusted?
- Which benefits are included in the tariff, and which are not?
- Which deadlines do I have to observe for a switch?
How do you compare offers?
A comparison only works if you apply the same standards. The steps below help you make offers comparable without committing you to a particular product.
- Define the benefits that matter to you, for example dental care, glasses or hospital treatment.
- Ask for the conditions of each tariff, including the age limit and contribution adjustments.
- Compare the contributions for the same benefits and over the same period.
- Ask how the tariff can be continued after your studies.
- Decide only once all questions have been answered in writing.
A comparison takes time, but it prevents you from looking only at the cheapest figure. With insurance in particular, the scope of benefits counts at least as much as the contribution.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still get a student tariff at 30?
That depends on the insurer and the tariff. There is no uniform statutory limit for private student tariffs. Check the conditions and ask the insurer before you commit.
Does compulsory insurance end automatically on my 30th birthday?
Not on the birthday itself, but at the close of the semester in which you turn 30 (§ 190 (9) SGB V). Your health insurer will confirm the date to you.
Do I have to arrange follow-up insurance myself?
As a rule, yes. Clarify in good time which insurance will apply afterwards, so that your cover is not interrupted.
Is a student tariff more expensive than statutory KVdS?
This cannot be said across the board. Contributions depend on the tariff, the entry age, your health and the benefits. Compare concrete offers with the same benefits.
What to do now
- Note your 30th birthday and the end of the semester at your university.
- Ask your university about the semester dates and your re-registration.
- Have the tariff and the conditions of a student tariff provided in writing.
- Plan the follow-up cover before compulsory membership ends.
- Get advice if the situation is unclear, for example from Academycon, see how we work (in German).
Related reading
- Studying over 30: Funding, Health Insurance, Daily Life
- Student Health Insurance: Compulsory Cover, Options and Special Cases
- Cheap PKV for Students: Check Your Contribution
- Student Family Insurance: Until When Are You Covered?
- Family Insurance Income Comparison: When It Ends
Sources: § 190 SGB V, end of membership (accessed October 2026); § 5 SGB V, compulsory insurance (accessed October 2026); § 193 Insurance Contract Act (VVG), health insurance obligation (accessed October 2026)
Stand: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
