Definition. The age limit of 30 sets how long compulsory student health insurance (KVdS) can last at most. It ends at the end of the semester in which you turn 30.
What the age limit actually regulates
Under § 5 (1) No. 9 SGB V (Social Code Book V, statutory health insurance), compulsory insurance as a student lasts at most until you turn 30. The limit works as the end of the obligation, not as a hurdle when you start. According to the joint circular (Gemeinsames Rundschreiben), the obligation ends at the end of the semester in which the birthday falls. What matters is therefore the semester and not the exact day of your birthday. The basics of compulsory insurance during your studies are summarised in Health insurance as a student over 30 (in German).
How to check your situation
- Determine the semester in which you turn 30. When it ends, the obligation ends as well.
- Check whether one of the recognised reasons applies to you, and collect evidence such as doctor’s certificates.
- Clarify your case with your health insurer before you decide on a tariff or a type of insurance.
Figures for 2026 and their sources
| Item | Value 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| End of the obligation | End of the semester in which the 30th year of life is completed | § 5 (1) No. 9 and § 190 (9) SGB V |
| Semester periods | Summer semester 1 April to 30 September, winter semester 1 October to 31 March | Studierendenwerke (German student services), BAföG rates up to 2026 |
| Health insurance without additional contribution | 87.38 euros per month | GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on calculation variables 2026 |
A worked example for the end of the semester
Your 30th birthday falls on 14 March 2027. It lies in the winter semester 2026/27, which ends on 31 March 2027. The obligation in the KVdS therefore ends with this semester. From the summer semester 2027 onwards, you need new cover. Depending on your situation, the follow-on insurance (Anschlussversicherung) in statutory health insurance (in German) applies, while other routes lead through private health insurance.
Related terms
- KVdS: Glossary KVdS (in German)
- Family insurance: Glossary family insurance (in German)
- Deregistration: Deregistration and health insurance (in German)
- Guide: Health insurance as a student over 30 (in German)
- All terms at a glance: Health insurance for students: glossary from A to Z
Frequently asked questions
Does the age limit also apply if I only start studying after 30?
The age limit describes the end of the obligation. Whether and how studying after 30 can be insured is decided by the health insurer in each individual case. The guide on health insurance over 30 (in German) shows the possible routes.
Do I have to apply when I turn 30?
The obligation ends with the semester on its own. It is important that you clarify in good time how your cover looks afterwards, so that no gap arises.
Last updated: October 2026. This entry is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
Sources: § 5 SGB V, § 190 SGB V, joint basic guidance on the KVdS (Gemeinsame Grundsätzliche Hinweise zur KVdS), GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on calculation variables 2026, Studierendenwerke, BAföG rates up to 2026.
