Health insurance for students: glossary from A to Z

The terms of health insurance for students revolve around the KVdS, the statutory compulsory insurance for enrolled students (Krankenversicherung der Studenten, KVdS). In 2026 it costs at least €87.38 a month plus the additional contribution and long-term care insurance. In addition there is family insurance, the exemption from compulsory insurance followed by private health insurance (PKV) and, after deregistration, the follow-on insurance as a safety net. General study terms without an insurance connection are explained in Study terms explained (in German).

Key facts

• In 2026 the KVdS has an assessment basis of €855 and a contribution rate of 10.22%. That gives a basic contribution of €87.38, plus the additional contribution and long-term care insurance.
• Family insurance takes precedence over the KVdS. The income limit is €565 a month, and for a mini-job €603.
• You apply for exemption from compulsory insurance within three months of the start of compulsory insurance. The exemption is irrevocable.
• When the KVdS ends, your insurance continues as mandatory follow-on insurance (obligatorische Anschlussversicherung), provided no family insurance applies. You can opt out within two weeks of your fund’s notice, with proof of other cover.

Which values apply in 2026 to health insurance for students?

The most important calculation figures and deadlines are collected here. A detailed overview is provided by Student health insurance 2026 in figures (in German).

Terms starting with A

Altersgrenze 30 (KVdS)

The age limit of 30 ends the compulsory student insurance at the end of the semester in which you turn 30. Compulsory insurance continues beyond that only if the type of training or family or personal reasons justify the extension, for example in the second educational path. The fund then extends on a reasoned application, each time for one semester. The reasons and the proofs are explained in Extending student health insurance beyond 30 (in German).

Altersrückstellung

The age provision (also: ageing provision, Alterungsrückstellung) is the part of your PKV premium that is saved up for old age. The insurer usually adds a statutory surcharge of 10 percent to the annual premium. It begins no later than the calendar year after your 21st birthday and ends in the calendar year of your 60th birthday. Its purpose is to lower the premium in old age. How it works is shown in Age provisions in PKV explained simply (in German).

Anschlussversicherung, obligatorische (mandatory follow-on insurance)

The mandatory follow-on insurance is the voluntary membership into which your statutory insurance automatically continues when compulsory insurance or family insurance ends (§ 188 para. 4 SGB V). It begins the day after you leave. You can opt out within two weeks of your fund’s notice if you prove other cover. If you meet the requirements of family insurance, it does not arise. The costs are set out in Health insurance after your studies without a job (in German).

Anwartschaft (deferred membership)

In PKV, a deferred membership (Anwartschaft) secures your health status while you are temporarily not privately insured. The small version secures the health status without age provisions. The large version also secures the entry age and continues to build up age provisions. Your terms set the deadline for reactivating it once the reason ends. Whether it is worthwhile is answered in Is a deferred membership in PKV worthwhile for students? (in German).

Arbeitslosengeld I (unemployment benefit I)

If you receive unemployment benefit I, you are statutorily compulsorily insured, and the Federal Employment Agency pays the contributions. For this you need at least twelve months of contributions to unemployment insurance in the last 30 months. A mini-job or an exempt working student job does not count towards this. The routes after your studies are summarised in Insured after your studies without a job (in German).

Auslandskrankenversicherung (travel health insurance abroad)

Travel health insurance abroad is a private policy for trips and stays abroad. It should match the duration and scope of your stay, and include repatriation, which statutory funds do not pay. In countries without a social security agreement, such as the USA, the statutory fund does not cover illness. What matters for Erasmus, the USA and work-and-travel programmes is explained in Travel health insurance for Erasmus, the USA and work and travel (in German).

Terms starting with B

BAföG-Zuschlag zur Krankenversicherung (BAföG surcharge for health insurance)

The BAföG surcharge for health insurance is an addition to the BAföG requirement for students with their own health and long-term care insurance. For students up to 30 it is €102 for health insurance and €35 for long-term care insurance. From age 30, the surcharges for self-payers are €185 and €48. How statutory and private insurance are treated is shown in BAföG contribution towards health insurance (in German).

Basistarif (basic tariff)

The basic tariff is a PKV tariff with the benefits of statutory health insurance. The insurer accepts you without risk surcharges or benefit exclusions, and cover starts immediately. Access is limited to certain groups, for example voluntary statutory members within six months of starting voluntary insurance. The difference to other tariffs is explained in Basic tariff or comfort tariff in PKV (in German).

Befreiung von der Versicherungspflicht (exemption from compulsory insurance)

The exemption from compulsory insurance allows you to decline the compulsory student insurance and insure yourself privately. You apply within three months of the start of compulsory insurance, to a statutory health insurance fund. It takes effect only with proof of other cover in the event of illness. The exemption itself is irrevocable and generally applies for the entire course of study. The procedure is shown in Exemption from compulsory insurance: how to apply (in German). An overview is provided by the Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre).

Beihilfe (state allowance for civil servants)

Beihilfe is the employer’s contribution (in this case the state) to the medical costs of civil servants. Probationary civil servants and trainee teachers are usually civil servants on probation (Beamte auf Widerruf). They provide for their own health and long-term care insurance and supplement it with Beihilfe. For legal trainees (Rechtsreferendare), the status depends on the federal state. The reference rate is usually 50%, for children usually 80%. The Beihilfe office tells you which rate applies to you. More is in Health insurance during the legal traineeship: Beihilfe, PKV or GKV? (in German).

Beitragsbemessungsgrenze (contribution assessment ceiling)

The contribution assessment ceiling is the upper limit up to which income is used for contributions to health and long-term care insurance. In 2026 it is €5,812.50 a month (€69,750 a year). If a voluntary member provides no proof of income, they pay the maximum contribution, because the fund applies this ceiling. Further calculation figures are in Student health insurance 2026 in figures (in German).

Beitragsrückerstattung (premium refund)

The premium refund is paid back to you by your PKV insurer as part of the annual premiums, if you submitted no invoices for a year and the insurer has surpluses. When giving up reimbursements is worthwhile is shown in How the premium refund works in PKV (in German).

Beitragssatz (contribution rate)

The contribution rate determines what percentage of your income is paid as a contribution to health insurance. The general rate is 14.6%. Voluntary members without an entitlement to sick pay pay the reduced rate of 14.0%; in the KVdS, 10.22% applies (70% of 14.6%). The additional contribution of your fund is added in each case. The costs by age group are placed in context in Health insurance during your studies by age (in German).

Terms starting with D

Duales Studium (dual study programme)

Anyone studying in a dual programme is generally compulsorily insured as an employee for health, long-term care, pension and unemployment insurance. The KVdS generally does not apply. With pay, there is no longer any contribution-free family insurance while compulsory insurance continues. The details are in Dual study programme: family insurance, compulsory insurance and contributions (in German).

Terms starting with E

EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)

The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) shows abroad that you are statutorily insured. It applies in the EU countries, in the European Economic Area and in Switzerland for medically necessary benefits of the state system, according to the rules of the country where you stay. Local co-payments apply, and the repatriation to Germany is not covered. More is in Health insurance for students in the EU: EHIC and more.

Einkommensgrenze (Familienversicherung) (income limit for family insurance)

The income limit for family insurance is €565 total income a month in 2026. For family members whose only employment is a mini-job, the limit of €603 applies instead of the usual €565. Income includes, for example, rental income, interest above the saver’s allowance and profits from self-employment. BAföG, child benefit, parental allowance, housing benefit and maintenance from parents do not count. The requirements are listed in Family insurance during studies under 25 (in German).

Exmatrikulation (deregistration)

Deregistration is leaving the university. In the KVdS, membership then ends at the end of the semester for which you last enrolled or re-registered. If you re-enrol directly afterwards, ask your fund whether membership continues. How to avoid gaps is explained in Deregistration and health insurance (in German).

Terms starting with F

Fachsemester (subject semester)

The subject semester counts the semesters you have spent in your field of study. For health insurance it plays a role in the working student exemption: in a very advanced subject semester it can be presumed that studies no longer predominate. The presumption can be rebutted, for example in cases of illness, disability, pregnancy, childcare or caring for a relative. More is in Working student and health insurance (in German).

Familienversicherung (family insurance)

Family insurance is the contribution-free co-insurance of spouses, registered partners and children of statutorily insured members. Requirements include, among others, a residence in Germany, no main self-employment and total income up to the income limit. For children the following age limits apply: up to 18 without further conditions, up to 23 without employment, up to 25 for training, study or voluntary service. For spouses and registered partners there is no age limit. Family insurance takes precedence over the KVdS; more is in Family insurance during studies: until when you are co-insured (in German).

Freiwillige Versicherung (voluntary insurance)

You are voluntarily statutorily insured as a member of a statutory fund, without being compulsorily insured or family insured. After the KVdS ends, this happens automatically through the follow-on insurance. A voluntary new entry requires prior statutory insurance periods. The contribution depends on your total economic ability to pay, but at least on the minimum assessment. The options for students over 30 are shown in Health insurance as a student over 30 (in German).

Terms starting with G

Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV) (statutory health insurance)

Statutory health insurance (GKV) is insurance with the statutory health insurance funds, such as AOK, Ersatzkassen or company health insurance funds (Betriebskrankenkassen). As a student you are compulsorily insured there (KVdS), family insured or voluntarily insured. Even if you are privately insured, you need confirmation from a statutory fund for enrolment. The compulsory benefits are largely the same at all funds. The overview is given in Health insurance for students: what you need to know (in German).

Gesundheitsprüfung (health check for private insurance)

The health check consists of the health questions in the PKV application. You must truthfully state known circumstances that the insurer asks about in text form. If you breach this duty to disclose, the insurer may under certain conditions withdraw from or terminate the contract. Ongoing treatment and recommended operations can lead to refusal, and an anonymous risk enquiry before the application is recommended. More is in PKV health check: what you need to know (in German).

Terms starting with H

Härtefall (Zahnersatz) (hardship case for dental prosthetics)

A hardship case for dental prosthetics applies if your income is below a limit or you receive social benefits, including BAföG. The fund then covers 100% of the standard supply. In 2026 the income limit for single persons is €1,582 gross a month. Above it, you receive a fixed subsidy. How the gap can be insured is explained in Dental supplementary insurance during your studies (in German).

Terms starting with I

Immatrikulation (enrolment)

Enrolment is registration at a university. Before that, the university requires confirmation from a statutory fund; without it, it refuses enrolment or re-registration. The KVdS starts with the semester, or on the day of enrolment if you enrol after the semester has begun. The university reports the enrolment to the fund without delay. The process is described in Health insurance at enrolment: proof, reporting procedure and exemption (in German).

Terms starting with K

Kassenwechsel (change of fund)

A change of fund is a move to another statutory health insurance fund. The process runs through the new fund: it notifies your previous fund of your choice, so you do not have to cancel yourself. If your fund raises its additional contribution, you can cancel outside the normal deadline, up to the end of the month from which the increase applies. The cancellation only takes effect with proof of other cover. Deadlines and the procedure are shown in Changing health insurance fund as a student (in German).

Kostenerstattung (reimbursement of costs)

With reimbursement of costs, you first pay a doctor’s bill yourself and submit it to your insurer. This is how PKV works: there is no direct contract between doctor and insurer, and the amount you receive depends on your tariff. Statutory members can also choose reimbursement, and then receive at most the amount of the benefit in kind. The principle is shown in How cost reimbursement works in PKV (in German).

Krankengeld (sick pay)

Sick pay replaces part of your income in the event of longer illness. Students in the KVdS are not entitled to it, and neither to maternity benefit. Those who work alongside their studies can apply for maternity benefits. What changes with pregnancy and a child is explained in Studying with a child: money, allowances and insurance (in German).

KVdR (statutory health insurance for pensioners)

The KVdR (Krankenversicherung der Rentner) is the statutory compulsory insurance for pensioners. The KVdS, by contrast, applies to enrolled students. Both belong to statutory health insurance and differ in the group of people they cover. As a student you fall under the KVdS, as long as you meet its requirements. More is in Health insurance for students: what you need to know (in German).

KVdS (student health insurance, Krankenversicherung der Studenten)

The KVdS (Krankenversicherung der Studenten) is the statutory compulsory insurance for students enrolled at a state or state-recognised university (§ 5 para. 1 no. 9 SGB V). It applies only if nothing takes precedence, such as employment as an employee or family insurance. The contribution consists of the basic contribution of €87.38 (10.22% of €855), the additional contribution of your fund and long-term care insurance. With the average additional contribution of 2.9%, this comes to around €143 in 2026 (under 23 or with a child) or around €148 (childless from 23). All rules are summarised in Health insurance for students: what you need to know (in German).

Terms starting with M

Mindestbemessungsgrundlage (minimum assessment basis)

The minimum assessment basis is the amount that the fund applies as income for voluntary members at least, even if you earn less. In 2026 it is €1,318.33 a month. With an additional contribution of 2.9%, this gives a minimum contribution of €278.17 for childless members from 23 and €270.26 for members under 23 or with a child. The calculation is shown in Insured after your studies without a job: options and costs (in German).

Minijob (mini-job)

A mini-job is employment with earnings of up to €603 a month (2026). For family members who have only a mini-job, the income limit of €603 applies instead of the usual €565. From 2027 the mini-job limit is set at €633. What a side job means for your insurance is shown in Health insurance with a side job (in German).

Mitgliedsbescheinigung (membership certificate)

The membership certificate confirms that you are insured with a statutory fund. The university requires such proof before enrolment, and it is transmitted digitally. The fund reports the status electronically to the university, which can take a little time. More is in Health insurance at enrolment (in German).

Terms starting with N

Nachgehender Leistungsanspruch (continuing entitlement to benefits)

The continuing entitlement to benefits protects you for at most one month after the end of a membership. The condition is that you are not in gainful employment and that neither family insurance nor follow-on insurance takes precedence. No contributions are payable for this period. More on such transitions is in Deregistration and health insurance: avoiding gaps (in German).

Notlagentarif (emergency tariff)

The emergency tariff is the tariff into which your PKV automatically moves you after reminders for arrears in contributions. It covers only acute illnesses and pain, pregnancy and maternity, and children and adolescents, plus STIKO vaccinations. You do not build up any new age provisions in it. What helps with payment problems is explained in Payment problems in PKV (in German).

Terms starting with P

Pflegeversicherung (long-term care insurance)

Long-term care insurance covers the risk of needing care. Its contribution is added to the health insurance contribution. The contribution rate is 3.6%; childless members from 23 years of age pay the surcharge of 4.2%. In the KVdS, on €855 this comes to €30.78 and €35.91 a month respectively. Voluntary members pay the long-term care contribution entirely themselves. An increase in the surcharge for childless members is planned for 2027, but has not been decided. The values by age are placed in context in Health insurance during your studies by age (in German).

PKV (private health insurance)

Private health insurance (PKV) is health insurance with a private insurer under a tariff contract. Anyone who would be compulsorily insured as a student in the KVdS can be exempted from compulsory insurance for it. The contribution depends, among other things, on the age at entry. The exemption is irrevocable, a return to statutory insurance is only possible in narrow cases, and contributions can rise. How PKV is structured is shown in What is private health insurance for students? (in German).

Promotion (doctorate)

After a completed first degree, doctoral candidates no longer have a KVdS. The Federal Social Court decided this on 7 June 2018. Before completing the first degree, the KVdS remains possible. With a position as a research assistant (not a mini-job), you are compulsorily insured as an employee; with a scholarship and no employment, you are voluntarily insured in statutory or private insurance. Details are in Health Insurance for PhD Students in Germany.

Terms starting with R

Rückkehr in die GKV (return to statutory insurance)

The return to statutory insurance is the move from PKV back to statutory health insurance. Before the age of 55 it is generally possible, for example through compulsorily insured employment below the annual earnings limit; a mini-job is not enough. From 55 it is generally excluded if you were not statutorily insured in the last five years and at least half of that time you were exempt from insurance or not insured. When the return works is explained in Return to statutory health insurance: is it possible? (in German).

Terms starting with S

Selbstbeteiligung (excess)

The excess is the amount of treatment costs that you bear yourself in PKV up to an agreed level. A higher excess lowers the monthly premium. When changing tariffs, a lower excess counts as an additional benefit. How high it should be is covered in Excess in PKV explained simply (in German).

Studienabbruch (dropping out of university)

When you drop out, the KVdS ends at the end of the semester of your last enrolment or re-registration, if you have been deregistered by then. After that, your membership with your fund continues voluntarily until you leave and prove other cover. Family insurance through your parents applies without training only until your 23rd birthday. What you need to observe is shown in Health insurance when dropping out of university (in German).

Studententarif (student tariff)

The student tariff is a PKV tariff for students who are exempted from compulsory insurance at the start of their studies. It is partly based on the conditions of private student health insurance (PSKV), which only a few insurers offer. It is aimed at young first-time insureds, and the contribution depends on the age at entry. Costs and benefits are described in Private health insurance for students (in German).

Terms starting with T

Tarifwechsel (change of tariff)

A change of tariff is a switch to another tariff of the same PKV insurer. You are entitled to it if the cover is of the same type, and you keep your acquired rights and your age provisions. For additional benefits the insurer may require an exclusion of benefits, a reasonable risk surcharge or a waiting period. The procedure is shown in PKV tariff change explained simply (in German).

Terms starting with V

Versicherungsnachweis (proof of insurance)

The proof of insurance shows before enrolment that you are statutorily insured or exempt and have other health insurance cover. Privately insured persons and civil servants also need confirmation from a statutory fund; private insurers do not take part in the procedure. The next steps are shown in Exemption from compulsory insurance (in German).

Versicherungspflichtgrenze (compulsory insurance threshold)

The compulsory insurance threshold, also called the annual earnings limit (Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze), is €6,450 a month in 2026 (€77,400 a year). Employees below this limit are compulsorily insured in statutory health insurance. It also plays a role in family insurance: children of a privately insured parent whose gross income is above it may be excluded from family insurance. What it means for you is set out in The compulsory insurance threshold for students (in German).

Terms starting with W

Werkstudentenprivileg (working student exemption)

The working student exemption keeps you free from health, long-term care and unemployment insurance when you work at most 20 hours a week, as long as studying predominates. You remain insured through the KVdS, pension insurance remains compulsory, and the amount of pay does not matter. The exemption ends with the month in which you are notified of the overall result of your final examination in writing. More is in Working Student Health Insurance: Costs by Age.

Terms starting with Z

Zusatzbeitrag (additional contribution)

The additional contribution is the part of the contribution that each fund sets itself. It is calculated on the same assessment basis as the contribution rate, so in the KVdS on €855. The average additional contribution is 2.9% in 2026, according to the Federal Ministry of Health; it is a guide value. If your fund raises its additional contribution, you have a special right of cancellation. The values of the funds are shown in Additional contributions for 2026: all health insurance funds and what students pay (in German).

Frequently asked questions

What does KVdS mean?

KVdS stands for Krankenversicherung der Studenten, the statutory compulsory insurance for students enrolled at a state or state-recognised university. It applies if neither employment as an employee nor family insurance takes precedence, and it ends with the semester in which you turn 30. The basic contribution in 2026 is €87.38 a month.

What is the difference between KVdS and KVdR?

The KVdS applies to enrolled students, the KVdR is the compulsory insurance for pensioners. Both are part of statutory health insurance, but they have different requirements and contributions. If you receive a pension alongside your studies, your fund will clarify which compulsory insurance applies to you.

What is follow-on insurance in health insurance?

Follow-on insurance keeps your cover without a gap when the KVdS or another compulsory insurance ends. You stay with your fund, now as a voluntary member, and pay your own contributions, even without income. You can opt out within two weeks of your fund’s notice, if you prove other cover.

What is a deferred membership in health insurance?

A deferred membership secures your health status in PKV while you are temporarily not privately insured, for example because you are changing to a statutory fund. The large version costs considerably more than the small one. Your terms set the deadline for reactivating the contract once the reason ends.

What does the contribution assessment ceiling mean?

The contribution assessment ceiling limits the income from which contributions to health and long-term care insurance are calculated. In 2026 it is €5,812.50 a month. Income above it does not increase the contribution. For voluntary members without proof of income, the fund applies this ceiling, and the proof of income brings it down to at least €1,318.33.

What is a follow-on insurance obligation?

The mandatory follow-on insurance keeps your cover in place when compulsory insurance or family insurance ends (§ 188 para. 4 SGB V). It can only be avoided if you show other cover within the deadline and notify the fund. Details are in the terms of this glossary entry above.

Your next steps

1. First clarify which cover takes precedence for you: employment as an employee, family insurance or the KVdS.
2. If you want to insure yourself privately, apply for exemption from compulsory insurance within three months and keep in mind that it is irrevocable.
3. Compare the additional contribution of your fund with the average of 2.9%. The values of the funds are in Additional contributions for 2026 (in German).
4. Plan the end of your studies: note when your last semester ends, and respond within two weeks to your fund’s notice about follow-on insurance.

If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the route to advice on the Academycon homepage (in German).

Related articles

• Health insurance for students: compulsory insurance, options and special cases (in German)
• Family insurance during studies: until when you are co-insured (in German)
• Exemption from compulsory insurance: how to apply (in German)
• Student health insurance 2026 in figures: thresholds, contributions and deadlines (in German)

Related guides

• Health insurance for students in Germany
• Public or Private Health Insurance for International Students
• Health Insurance After Graduation: Job Seeker Visa
• Health Insurance for Erasmus Exchange Students in Germany
• German original (in German)

Information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative. Last reviewed: 21 October 2026.