Study abroad countries at a glance: the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) applies in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. In other destination countries you generally need private travel health insurance unless an agreement applies. Whether you need a visa depends on the country. This page lists 91 countries with their own guide, each with EHIC, visa and a link.
Which three cases apply to health insurance during a semester abroad?
For cover abroad there are three cases, and the destination decides which one applies. Before you leave, ask your health insurance fund whether and how it keeps you insured during the semester abroad.
EU, EEA and Switzerland: EHIC plus supplementary cover
In EU member states, the EEA and Switzerland the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) applies. It is on the back of your German health card and entitles you to medically necessary treatment under the conditions of the host country. It does not cover repatriation or treatment that can wait. A travel health insurance is therefore a sensible addition, see health insurance abroad: what applies.
Countries with a social security agreement
Germany has social security agreements with some non-EU states that can also cover health insurance. Scope and conditions differ by agreement, and a certificate from your health insurance fund is usually required. The German Liaison Agency for Health Insurance, International (DVKA) presents the agreements. Each country guide states whether we found an agreement documented.
Countries without an agreement: private travel health insurance
If neither the EHIC nor an agreement applies, German statutory health insurance generally does not protect you outside the EU. You then need private travel health insurance including repatriation. See studying outside the EU: health insurance and student health insurance abroad.
What should you consider on visas, costs and funding?
Within the EU you do not need a visa to study, but registration can be required after three months (Your Europe). For other countries the tables give a short note from our research. The embassy of the destination country gives binding information. For German citizens, the travel and safety advice of the German Federal Foreign Office lists entry requirements.
For funding, see planning an exchange semester and BAföG for studying abroad. Which office handles BAföG abroad depends on the destination (assignment per the DSW leaflet, as of January 2026). The application should be filed about six months before departure.
All study abroad countries by region
The tables are sorted alphabetically and contain no ranking. They include the 91 countries for which a guide is published. The EHIC column states whether the card applies in the country. The visa column is a short note (as of October 2026). Where it says “ask the embassy”, we have not documented an official rule, so the embassy gives binding information. Countries marked “travel warning” are those for which the Federal Foreign Office warns against travel or advises against it. Check the current status and the position of your university and funding programme before you plan there. The country guides are in English.
Europe: EU, EEA and Switzerland
| Country | EHIC | Visa for studies | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austria | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Belgium | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Bulgaria | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Croatia | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Czech Republic | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Denmark | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Estonia | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Finland | yes | not required | Read guide |
| France | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Greece | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Hungary | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Ireland | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Italy | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Latvia | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Lithuania | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Luxembourg | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Malta | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Netherlands | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Norway | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Poland | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Portugal | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Romania | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Slovakia | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Slovenia | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Spain | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Sweden | yes | not required | Read guide |
| Switzerland | yes | residence permit on site | Read guide |
Rest of Europe
| Country | EHIC | Visa for studies | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Kosovo | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Moldova | no | residence permit on site | Read guide |
| Montenegro | no | residence permit on site | Read guide |
| North Macedonia | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Serbia | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Turkey | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| United Kingdom | limited | ETA or student visa | Read guide |
The Americas
| Country | EHIC | Visa for studies | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Bolivia | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Brazil | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Canada | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Chile | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Colombia | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Costa Rica | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Cuba (travel warning) | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Dominican Republic | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Ecuador | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Guatemala | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Mexico | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Paraguay | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Peru | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Uruguay | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| USA | no | visa required | Read guide |
Asia
| Country | EHIC | Visa for studies | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Armenia | no | not required | Read guide |
| Azerbaijan | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Cambodia | no | visa required | Read guide |
| China | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Georgia | no | residence permit on site | Read guide |
| India | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Indonesia | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Japan | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Kyrgyzstan | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Malaysia | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Mongolia | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Philippines | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Singapore | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| South Korea | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Taiwan | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Thailand | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Vietnam | no | visa required | Read guide |
Middle East and Africa
| Country | EHIC | Visa for studies | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Botswana | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Egypt | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Ethiopia | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Ghana | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Israel | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Jordan | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Kenya | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Lebanon (travel warning) | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Mauritius | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Morocco | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Namibia | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Oman | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Qatar (travel warning) | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Rwanda | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Saudi Arabia (travel warning) | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Senegal | no | residence permit on site | Read guide |
| South Africa | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Tanzania | no | visa required | Read guide |
| Tunisia | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
| Uganda | no | visa required | Read guide |
| United Arab Emirates (travel warning) | no | ask the embassy | Read guide |
Oceania
| Country | EHIC | Visa for studies | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | no | visa required | Read guide |
| New Zealand | no | visa required | Read guide |
This information is general and not individual advice. The linked official pages are authoritative.
Frequently asked questions about studying abroad
Does the EHIC apply in every country?
No. The EHIC applies in the EU, the EEA and Switzerland. Elsewhere, including the United Kingdom, it does not apply or applies only in part. The tables show the entry per country, background is in the EHIC guide.
Is the EHIC enough for a semester abroad in the EU?
The card covers medically necessary treatment under the host country’s conditions. Repatriation and treatment that can wait are not covered, so a travel health insurance is named as a supplement.
Do I need a visa for my semester abroad?
Not within the EU. Elsewhere it depends on the country and the length of stay. The tables give a short note, and the embassy of the destination gives binding information.
Do I stay insured with my German health insurance fund?
Whether your cover continues, is suspended or ends during the semester abroad is something to clarify with your fund before you leave, ideally with written confirmation.
For which countries is BAföG abroad available?
Each country guide names the competent office according to the assignment of the student services organisations. Conditions and supplements are described in BAföG for studying abroad.
How current is the information?
The tables and country guides are as of October 2026. Entry rules and travel advice change, so check them with the Federal Foreign Office before you leave.
Sources
- Federal Foreign Office, travel and safety advice (in German)
- DVKA, German Liaison Agency for Health Insurance, International
- DAAD, German Academic Exchange Service
- European Commission, FAQ on the European Health Insurance Card
- Your Europe, Studying in another EU country
- German Student Services, BAföG abroad leaflet, as of January 2026 (in German)
If you want to size up your own situation, you can use the Academycon online check.
Related guides
- Health insurance abroad: what applies
- Student health insurance abroad
- BAföG for studying abroad
- Planning an exchange semester
- Studying outside the EU: health insurance
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
