Study abroad health insurance costs depend on the destination region, the length of your stay, your age and the scope of cover. No authority publishes a binding monthly figure per region. This guide shows which rules apply in each region, how to compare offers and what to clarify before you sign.
Short answer: No official body publishes a binding monthly figure per destination region. Within the EU and in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers medically necessary treatment, but it does not replace a supplementary policy for repatriation. Costs depend on the tariff, the duration and the coverage limit (last updated: October 2026, sources see below).
The most important points
- No official monthly figure per region exists. Compare offers only if they cover the same services.
- The EHIC covers medically necessary treatment in the EU and the named neighbouring countries, but not every case.
- Repatriation is the most important gap. Your German health insurance often does not cover it abroad.
- Pre-existing conditions, excess payments and exclusions distinguish tariffs the most.
- Longer stays follow different rules than a single semester. Clarify them with your health insurer before you leave.
- Auslands-BAföG (the German federal training grant for study abroad) can subsidise extra costs for foreign health insurance.
Which destination regions matter for insurance?
For insurance, the legal framework matters more than the distance. The table below sorts the three most relevant cases:
| Destination region | What usually helps | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland | European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for necessary treatment | Repatriation, services outside the public system, pre-existing conditions |
| Countries outside the EU | No EHIC. A foreign health policy with clearly described services is needed | Coverage limits, repatriation, length of cover, pre-existing conditions |
| USA and countries with very high treatment costs | Tariffs with a high coverage sum | Coverage sum, excess, exclusions |
The EHIC is not a substitute for supplementary cover. It applies to treatment that is necessary in the host country under its system, and it does not pay for repatriation to Germany. Ask your health insurer which countries are covered, because the list of states can change.
What does study abroad insurance cost?
We deliberately do not publish a monthly figure. Premiums depend on age, duration, destination, coverage sum and excess, and offers differ widely. A figure without these details would mislead you and would not help you decide.
A fair comparison works only if every offer covers the same points. These include repatriation, the coverage sum for treatment, the rules on pre-existing conditions, the excess, the term and renewal options, and exclusions, for example for extreme sports. If an offer does not name one of these points, ask in writing.
Cost factors also include the excess. A higher excess usually lowers the premium but raises what you pay in an emergency. Calculate how much you could pay yourself in a worst case and compare that with your budget for the semester. A low premium with a high excess is not automatically the cheaper option.
How do you check your cover step by step?
- Set your destination, the length of the stay and the type of stay, for example a semester, an internship or a language course.
- Ask your statutory or private health insurer which services apply abroad and which exclusions exist. A university brochure names repatriation as a clear gap in German cover.
- Check whether the EHIC applies to your destination and apply for it through your health insurer if you do not have it.
- Compare offers using the points listed above.
- Have the rules on pre-existing conditions explained to you in writing before you sign.
What do you do in an emergency abroad?
For treatment abroad, follow a clear order. Show the EHIC as soon as you need it, and keep all invoices and medical records. Report the claim to your insurer promptly and ask which documents they need for reimbursement. This matters most if you have to pay the costs yourself first.
Before you leave, note the emergency number and the policy number of your insurer, and save them on your phone as well. In an emergency, every minute counts, and a number you can find at once helps more than a folder at home.
What role does BAföG play?
The University of Münster points out that additional costs for study abroad health insurance can be subsidised within the BAföG framework. The office decides whether and how much case by case. The basics are explained in our guide (in German): Auslands-BAföG: Voraussetzungen, Höhe, Zuschläge.
For Erasmus students, there are extra points on insurance. The overview is available in German: Krankenversicherung für Erasmus-Studierende: 5 Tipps, die du kennen musst!.
Frequently asked questions
Is the EHIC enough as study abroad insurance?
The EHIC covers medically necessary treatment in the host country under its system. It does not replace a policy for repatriation or for services the host country does not provide. If you want to be safe, add a supplementary tariff.
What does study abroad insurance cost per month?
It depends on the tariff and the factors above. The sources behind this guide do not give reliable monthly figures for all regions. Rely on a comparison of services rather than a monthly figure in an advertisement.
Am I required to take out insurance for a semester abroad?
Whether a policy is compulsory depends on your university, your programme and your destination. A university brochure recommends a supplementary foreign health policy for most study-related stays. Your international office can tell you whether your programme sets requirements.
Does the policy cover pre-existing conditions?
That depends on the tariff. Some offers exclude pre-existing conditions or accept them only under conditions. Read the clause carefully and ask in writing if anything is unclear.
What changes for a long stay?
Longer stays follow different rules, for example on the duration of cover and on deadlines for registration and cancellation. This depends strongly on your health insurer and the tariff, so clarify it before you leave. Our guide on long stays (in German) gives an overview: Krankenversicherung im Auslandsstudium: Das gilt bei langem Aufenthalt.
What you should do now
- Set your destination and period, then clarify the cover with your health insurer.
- Compare at least three offers with the same services.
- Secure repatriation and a suitable coverage sum.
- Keep your EHIC, the proof of insurance and the emergency numbers ready.
- Check before departure whether Auslands-BAföG or your university require a specific policy.
Related guides
- Private Health Insurance Abroad During Your Studies: 5 Tips You Should Know!
- Health insurance for students in the EU: EHIC and more
- Free tuition in Germany: which states charge fees
- Auslandssemester finanzieren: Kosten, Auslands-BAföG, Stipendien (in German)
Sources: European Union, Your Europe: European Health Insurance Card, University of Münster, Auslands-BAföG (status 5 Feb 2026), University brochure for students on safety abroad (dated 2009 in the document, basic statements checked).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
