If you study in Germany as an international student, you are generally compulsorily insured in statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV) from enrolment and registered residence. You can leave that system only through an exemption (Befreiung), and only if you prove that you have other cover in case of illness. Private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung, PKV) therefore usually means an exemption first. Students from EU and EEA states often stay in their home insurance.
Key facts
| Key fact | Stand |
|---|---|
| Student compulsory insurance ends with the semester in which you turn 30 (§ 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 SGB V, Stand 20.10.2026). | 20.10.2026 |
| An exemption must be applied for within three months of the start of compulsory insurance (§ 8 Abs. 2 SGB V). | 20.10.2026 |
| For the student visa, the German mission requires proof of funds, usually a blocked account (Sperrkonto), and proof of health insurance. | 20.10.2026 |
Who has to be insured in Germany as an international student?
Students who are not otherwise insured are compulsorily insured in the student health insurance (studentische Krankenversicherung, KVdS) once they are enrolled. Nationality does not change that rule. What changes the picture is whether you already hold cover that takes priority, for example through a parent, through a German employment or through an insurance from your home country that the German system recognises.
In 2026 the KVdS contribution is calculated on a basis of €855 a month. The statutory contribution is €87.38 before your fund’s supplementary contribution (Zusatzbeitrag) is added. Including care insurance, the average figures come to €142.96 to €148.09 a month, depending on age and childlessness. The worked example in the article on costs by age shows each step.
What do you need for the student visa?
For a student visa under § 16b AufenthG, the German mission asks for proof of sufficient funds and proof of health insurance cover. The Merkblatt of a German mission lists a blocked account as standard proof, and it lists proof of health insurance as a required document for every application. Before you arrive in Germany, the private cover that the mission accepts has to be in place, because statutory cover only starts with your residence and your enrolment.
| Requirement | Value | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Proof of funds (usually a blocked account) | Amount set by the German mission | Check the current amount with the mission |
| Health insurance proof | Required for every visa application | Merkblatt Studienvisum |
When can you choose private health insurance?
You can choose private cover only through an exemption from the statutory system. The application goes to your fund within three months of the start of compulsory insurance, and it has to be backed by proof that you hold another entitlement to care in case of illness. Once granted, the exemption cannot be revoked, so the decision needs to be made with the full picture. The procedure step by step is explained in Health Insurance for International Students (in German: Krankenversicherung für internationale Studierende).
Public or private: What do the two routes mean for you?
| Point | Statutory (KVdS) | Private (PKV) |
|---|---|---|
| Price basis | Share of a calculated income basis, same rate for all students of the same age group | Depends on age, health and tariff, no flat figure |
| Entry | Automatic on enrolment, unless exempt | Only after an exemption, within three months |
| Changes | Possible within the fund rules | Exemption is binding for the whole period of study |
| Age limit | Ends with the semester of your 30th birthday | No age limit as such, but price rises with age |
The statutory route is a fixed system of contributions. The private route depends on your individual tariff and health, so an exact figure needs a written offer. Neither route is better in every case, and the choice depends on your country of origin, your funding and your plans after the degree.
Does the age limit of 30 apply to international students?
Yes, the age limit applies to the student insurance as such. Compulsory insurance ends with the semester in which you turn 30. An extension beyond that is possible only on a justified application for each semester, for example because of illness, care of a relative or a second educational path. The details are described in Health Insurance for Students Over 30.
Are EU students treated differently?
Yes. Students from EU and EEA states, and from Switzerland, usually stay in their home insurance during a study period in Germany, provided they keep their home residence and stay insured there. For exchange students the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers medically necessary care during the stay. Universities accept the card in different ways, so ask your fund for a confirmation. The details are in Health insurance for students in the EU (EHIC and more). Exchange students are covered in the separate article on Erasmus incoming students.
What should you do first?
- Find out your status before you apply for the visa. Ask the German mission which proof of cover it accepts.
- Open the blocked account and keep the confirmation for the enrolment office.
- Within three months of the start of compulsory insurance, apply for the exemption if you intend to go private.
- Request written offers for the private route before you decide, because the decision is binding.
- Note the semester of your 30th birthday in your planning.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be insured in Germany as an international student?
In most cases yes. Without an exemption, enrolment requires proof of statutory cover, and the student insurance applies from enrolment and residence. Whether another rule applies depends on your home country and your cover there, so check it with your fund.
How much money do I need in a blocked account for the student visa?
The amount is set by the German mission responsible for your visa application and can differ depending on your situation, for example whether you already have an admission letter. Check the current figure with the mission before you open the account.
When can I choose private health insurance?
You can choose private cover through an exemption, if you apply within three months of the start of compulsory insurance and prove other cover. The exemption is binding for the whole study period.
Does the age limit of 30 apply to international students too?
Yes. Compulsory insurance ends with the semester of your 30th birthday. Beyond that, an extension is possible only on a justified application each semester.
Are EU students treated differently?
Often yes. Students from EU and EEA states usually stay in their home insurance and use the EHIC. Ask your fund for a confirmation that the university can accept.
Check your situation with the online check: Online check for your situation.
Sources and review
- § 5 Abs. 1 Nr. 9 and § 8 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved 20.10.2026.
- § 16b AufenthG (Studienvisum), gesetze-im-internet.de, retrieved 20.10.2026.
- Information sheet on the student visa of the German mission responsible for you (proof of funds and health insurance proof); check the current version.
- Gemeinsames Rundschreiben der Krankenkassen on student insurance (version 2017).
Related guides
- Health insurance for students in Germany
- Health Insurance After Graduation: Job Seeker Visa
- Health Insurance for Erasmus Exchange Students in Germany
- German Health Insurance Terms for Newcomers
Information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative. Last reviewed: 21 October 2026.
