Student health insurance abroad is mainly needed if you travel outside the EU, if you stay longer than a normal holiday, or if a repatriation to Germany is possible. The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers medically necessary treatment under the rules of the host country in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, but not repatriation. In the USA and many other countries outside Europe, you should not expect your statutory health insurance to pay for benefits.
Depending on your destination, different criteria apply: for Erasmus a different set than for a semester in the USA or a year of Work and Travel. Whether your German health insurance continues during your stay is covered in the guides on Health insurance during a semester abroad (in German) and Health insurance for studying abroad (in German).
The key points at a glance
- The EHIC applies in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. It does not cover repatriation to Germany.
- Outside Europe, for example in the USA, do not expect benefits from your statutory health insurance. A private student health insurance abroad is the norm there.
- Standard travel insurance often covers only a limited number of days per trip. For stays of several months you need a long-term policy.
- Chronic illnesses and disabilities are generally not covered by student health insurance abroad.
- For Work and Travel visas, the immigration authority of the destination country sets out which proof is required.
Is the EHIC enough during an Erasmus semester?
For medical treatment in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, the EHIC is usually enough, but not for anything beyond that. The European Health Insurance Card entitles you to medically necessary benefits of the public system in your host country, on the same terms as local residents. Co-payments on site, as is common in France for example, you pay yourself.
The gap is repatriation. A medically necessary transport to Germany is not paid for by the statutory health insurance, not even within Europe. In addition, private medical treatment is not covered by the EHIC. If you choose a practice that is not part of the public system, you may be left with the bill.
An additional policy is therefore worth considering during an Erasmus semester, mainly because of repatriation and private medical treatment. The legal side, meaning what happens to your insurance in Germany, is covered in the guide on Health insurance in an EU country abroad (in German). How to prepare the semester as a whole is set out in Planning Erasmus and a semester abroad (in German).
Where does the EHIC apply, and where does it not?
The EHIC applies in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. For countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey and Tunisia, you need a temporary replacement certificate or a confirmation of entitlement from your health insurer. Ask your insurer about this before you travel.
| Destination | Statutory health insurance | What you should clarify in addition |
|---|---|---|
| EU, EEA, Switzerland | EHIC covers necessary treatment under local rules | Repatriation, private medical treatment |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina, Turkey, Tunisia | Temporary replacement certificate or confirmation of entitlement from your insurer | Repatriation, scope of cover |
| USA and many countries outside Europe | Do not expect benefits | Private student health insurance abroad with a suitable term |
Which student health insurance abroad do I need for the USA?
For the USA you need a private policy that expressly applies to your stay there and covers the full length of it. Do not rely on your statutory health insurance. Treatment in the USA quickly becomes expensive, and your insurer will not pay for repatriation either.
Whether a specific minimum cover is required depends on your visa and programme. For participants in the Exchange Visitor Programme (J-1 visa), the US regulation 22 CFR 62.14 sets minimum amounts. For a degree with your own student visa (F-1) or for an internship, these amounts do not automatically apply. Ask your host university or programme sponsor what is required.
| Requirement for J-1 | Minimum amount |
|---|---|
| Medical benefits per accident or illness | 100,000 US dollars |
| Medical evacuation to the home country | 50,000 US dollars |
| Repatriation of remains | 25,000 US dollars |
| Deductible per accident or illness | at most 500 US dollars |
In addition, the insurer must have at least an “A-” rating from the rating agency A.M. Best, or an equivalent rating. The exact wording is in the US regulation 22 CFR 62.14, and guidance for programme participants is provided by the J-1 programme office of the US State Department. The programme office states these amounts as of 15 May 2015. Check before you apply whether your sponsor requires something different.
More on the particularities outside Europe is in the guide on Health insurance outside the EU (in German).
Is Work and Travel covered by travel insurance?
A standard travel insurance policy usually covers Work and Travel only if the duration and type of trip match the policy. So check the small print to see how long a single trip is insured, and whether the policy covers a stay of up to one year at all. Many travel health policies apply only to a shorter period.
With Work and Travel, three points need checking in the conditions:
- Work: Is an accident at work abroad insured, or does the policy exclude gainful employment abroad?
- Sport and activities: Diving, surfing, climbing or quad tours are excluded in some conditions, or only included for an extra fee.
- Repatriation: The costs of a medically sensible repatriation to Germany should be expressly covered.
The immigration authority of the destination country sets out which proof is required for the visa. Ask that authority whether health insurance is mandatory there and in what form before you take out a policy. The Consumer Advice Centre Hamburg recommends taking out health insurance for the host country, ideally through the organisation of the placement programme; see Gap year, volunteering, Erasmus, Work and Travel and au pair: good preparation. The guide on Health insurance during a gap year (in German) explains how a year out affects your German insurance.
How long does student health insurance abroad last?
This depends on the tariff. Standard travel insurance policies often cover only a limited number of days per trip. For stays of several months you need a long-term policy designed for the entire period. The maximum duration is stated in the policy conditions.
These questions help when comparing:
- How long is a single trip or stay abroad insured in one go?
- Can the policy be extended if you stay longer, and until when?
- Does the cover also apply during interim visits home, or does it end when you return to Germany?
- Are there conditions on age or student status, such as proof of enrolment?
The last question matters, because tariffs may tie conditions to age or student status. Read the terms and conditions before you buy, and keep the proof.
Which features matter?
Check above all repatriation, how the policy handles pre-existing conditions, and who pays any additional costs.
| Feature | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Repatriation | Coverage of a medically necessary and sensible repatriation to Germany. The statutory health insurance does not pay it. |
| Pre-existing conditions | Chronic illnesses and disabilities are usually excluded. Read the definitions of “acute” and “pre-existing” illness carefully. |
| Additional costs | Treatment in a private hospital or by private doctors, costs above the local standard, deductible. |
| Term | Matching the duration and scope of your trip, with an option to extend. |
| Exclusions | Sport, work, certain countries or types of visa. |
Do I have to cancel my German health insurance?
For a semester abroad in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland you do not need to cancel. If you remain enrolled at a German university and keep your residence in Germany, you stay in the student health insurance, as long as you do not exceed the age limit of 30. For study outside the EU, other rules apply, which are covered in the guide on Health insurance outside the EU (in German). Family-insured students pay no contribution, and self-insured students continue to pay health and long-term care contributions.
Student health insurance abroad therefore does not replace your German insurance but complements it. It closes the gaps your statutory insurance leaves open abroad. For longer stays without enrolment, for example during Work and Travel, the position depends on the individual case. Before you leave, clarify with your health insurer or private insurer whether and how your cover continues, before you cancel or suspend anything. For a waiting period or a contribution pause, only your insurer can state the binding terms of your contract.
Checklist before you leave
- Set your destination and length of stay, then choose the matching type of policy: travel insurance or long-term policy.
- For visas, check which insurance proof the authority of the destination country requires.
- Check repatriation, pre-existing conditions, work, sport and deductible in the conditions.
- Read the conditions on age and student status, and keep the proof ready.
- Ask your health insurer how your German cover continues while you are away.
- Take the EHIC with you if you travel to a country where it applies, and save the policy number and emergency number of your insurer on your phone.
Frequently asked questions
Is the EHIC enough during an Erasmus semester?
For necessary medical treatment in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, it is usually enough. It does not cover repatriation to Germany or private medical treatment. A student health insurance abroad closes these gaps. You still pay co-payments on site yourself, even with the EHIC.
Which student health insurance abroad do I need for the USA?
A private policy that applies to the USA and covers your entire length of stay. Do not expect benefits from the statutory health insurance there. For participants in the J-1 programme, minimum amounts apply, for example 100,000 US dollars for medical benefits. With another visa, ask your host university or sponsor what is required.
Is Work and Travel covered by travel insurance?
Only if the conditions match the duration, work and sport. Many travel policies apply for less than a year or exclude gainful employment. Check the term, work accidents, sports and repatriation. The immigration authority of the destination country tells you which proof the visa requires.
How long does student health insurance abroad last?
The tariff determines this. Standard travel insurance often covers only a limited number of days per trip, while long-term policies cover several months up to the agreed maximum duration. The limit is stated in the policy conditions. Also check whether the term can be extended.
Do I have to cancel my German health insurance?
Not for a semester in the EU, the EEA or Switzerland. If you remain enrolled and keep your residence in Germany, you stay in the student insurance. For study outside the EU, or longer stays without enrolment, clarify the position with your health insurer or private insurer before you cancel or suspend anything.
What to do now
- Find out from your host university, programme sponsor or immigration authority which insurance proof is required.
- Ask your health insurer or private insurer how your cover in Germany continues during your stay.
- Compare the policies against the criteria above, and take out cover early enough that it starts with your departure.
If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the route to advice on the Academycon homepage. The advice is provided by an insurance intermediary.
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Related articles
- Internship abroad and health insurance (in German)
- Health insurance during a semester abroad (in German)
- Planning Erasmus and a semester abroad (in German)
- Semester abroad in the USA: health insurance, visa, costs (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
