Definition. The BAföG health insurance supplement is a monthly amount that BAföG (German federal student financial aid) pays on top of the basic needs allowance if you can prove your own health and long-term care insurance. Up to the age of 24 you are usually covered by family insurance and receive no supplement. From 25 the amount rises, and from 30 a maximum applies.
How the supplement is structured
The supplement covers part of the costs of health and long-term care insurance that you pay yourself. It is paid in addition to the basic needs allowance and the housing allowance. Whether and in what amount it is paid also depends on income and assets. The supplement is not a refund of the contributions you actually pay.
Figures for 2026 and their sources
| Item | Value 2026 | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Ages 25 to 29, own health and long-term care insurance | 102 euros health, 35 euros long-term care per month | Studierendenwerke (German student services), BAföG rates up to 2026 |
| Maximum from age 30 | 185 euros health, 48 euros long-term care per month | Studierendenwerke, BAföG rates up to 2026 |
| Maximum rate for students living away from home, ages 25 to 29 | 992 euros per month | Studierendenwerke, FAQ BAföG 01/2026 |
| Planned from 1 April 2027, health insurance for compulsory members | 121 euros per month (draft) | Bundestag printed paper 21/8405 |
A worked example at age 27
- Basic needs allowance for students: 475 euros per month.
- Housing allowance for students living away from home: 380 euros per month.
- Supplement for health and long-term care with your own insurance: 102 euros plus 35 euros, so 137 euros.
- Total as the maximum rate: 475 plus 380 plus 137 makes 992 euros per month.
The maximum rate sets the framework. The actual support can be lower, because income and assets are taken into account.
Related terms
- BAföG basic needs allowance: Glossary BAföG basic needs allowance (in German)
- Parental allowance: Glossary parental allowance (in German)
- BAföG 2026 at a glance: BAföG 2026 explained (in German)
- BAföG reform 2027: BAföG reform 2027 (in German)
- All terms at a glance: Health insurance for students: glossary from A to Z
Frequently asked questions
Do I receive the supplement if I am still covered by family insurance?
Up to the age of 24 you are usually covered by family insurance and then receive no health insurance supplement. The supplement requires your own cover.
What does the 2027 reform change for the supplement?
The government draft provides for higher supplements. The amount for compulsory members rises to 121 euros from April 2027 in the draft. The reform has not yet been passed, so the current figures apply until then.
Do I have to apply for the supplement separately?
The supplement is taken into account in your BAföG application. You state your health and long-term care insurance there, and the office calculates the amount.
Last updated: October 2026. This entry is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
Sources: Studierendenwerke, BAföG rates up to 2026, Studierendenwerke, FAQ BAföG 01/2026, German Bundestag, printed paper 21/8405.
