A compulsory internship abroad involves decisions on several levels at once: your studies, your insurance and employment law. If you plan health insurance for an internship that is part of your degree, first check whether your study regulations require it and whether it is unpaid. That decides whether you stay insured as an intern. This guide explains the rules, with date and source.
Short answer: If your compulsory internship is required by your study regulations and unpaid, you stay in statutory health insurance as an intern under section 5(1) no. 10 SGB V, up to age 30. A paid internship follows different rules. Abroad, the social security law of the country where you work may also apply. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- A required, unpaid compulsory internship makes you an insured intern under section 5(1) no. 10 SGB V.
- The compulsory insurance applies until you turn 30.
- A paid internship does not fall under this category and follows the rules for employees.
- For work abroad, the law of the country where you work may apply. Ask your health insurer in advance.
- For the stay itself, protection remains important, for example through the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card).
When do you stay statutorily insured as an intern?
Under section 5(1) no. 10 SGB V, people are compulsorily insured if they carry out a practical activity that is required by study or examination regulations and is unpaid. The law sets the obligation until the age of 30. Three points therefore decide: the activity must be required, it must be unpaid, and you must be under 30.
| Check | What it means for your insurance | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
| Internship required by study regulations | precondition for intern insurance | study or examination regulations of your university |
| Internship unpaid | only then does the intern rule apply | contract and remuneration details from the company |
| Age under 30 | obligation ends when you turn 30 | date of birth and insurance certificate |
| Internship abroad | social security law of the country of work may apply | ask your health insurer or the DVKA in advance |
What applies to a paid internship?
If the internship is paid, it does not fall under the intern rule of section 5(1) no. 10 SGB V. Then the rules for employees apply. If you also work alongside your studies, you may know the student employment privilege, under which employment of up to 20 hours per week is exempt from social insurance. Your health insurer checks whether your internship falls under it, based on the contract. More on internships during studies is in our guide Praktikum im Studium: Pflicht, Dauer und Vergütung (in German).
Insurance is assessed case by case, because pay, weekly hours and type of contract work together. Ask for the classification in writing before the contract starts.
What happens with a compulsory internship abroad?
Abroad a second layer applies: the social security law of the country where you work. For employment within the EU, European law often decides which country is responsible, and that can differ from the German intern status. The German liaison body, the Deutsche Verbindungsstelle Krankenversicherung Ausland (DVKA), is the right contact for this question. Ask there or at your health insurer before you sign the contract.
Independently of this, you need protection for the stay. The EHIC covers necessary treatment in the EU but not return transport or private services. More on this in our guide Semester abroad: Do you need travel health insurance? (in German).
| Scenario | Likely classification | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Required, unpaid, in Germany | intern insurance under section 5(1) no. 10 SGB V | age under 30, confirmation from the university |
| Required, unpaid, in another EU country | intern rule may clash with the law of the country of work | ask the DVKA or your insurer in advance |
| Paid, in Germany or abroad | rules for employees, depending on hours and contract | working hours, form of contract, ask your insurer |
Which steps help you plan?
- Read the study regulations and check whether the internship is required and unpaid.
- Request the contract from the company and note the remuneration in writing.
- Ask your health insurer or the DVKA in writing which insurance applies.
- Apply for the EHIC for the stay and check whether travel health insurance is needed.
- Keep the confirmation of the classification so you can show it to your university.
Which documents does your university require?
Many universities require a confirmation from the placement for the recognition of a compulsory internship. It covers duration, content and pay. For an internship abroad, details of the host organisation and the supervision on site often come on top. These documents are mainly part of the recognition, but they also show that the internship is unpaid and required.
- A confirmation from the placement covering the period, the weekly hours and the pay or its absence.
- A copy of the study or examination regulations showing that the internship is required.
- Proof of enrolment, so that your insurance is clearly assigned as a student or intern.
- For an internship abroad, also confirmation of health insurance for the stay.
Put these documents together before the internship starts. If a detail is missing, the classification becomes harder later, and you may end up paying contributions you did not expect.
Frequently asked questions
Am I insured automatically during a compulsory internship?
Only if the internship is required by your study or examination regulations, unpaid, and you are under 30. A paid internship follows other rules, which your health insurer classifies case by case.
What changes if I do the internship in another EU country?
The social security law of the country where you work may apply if you work there. Your health insurer or the DVKA can confirm this. The EHIC then covers only the treatment in the host country, as described above.
Does the insurance continue after the internship?
The intern insurance is tied to the activity. Whether and how it continues afterwards depends on your further studies. Ask your health insurer when the internship ends.
How much does insurance cost as an intern?
The contribution calculation follows section 245 SGB V. Your health insurer will give you the exact amount for your situation. A general comparison with other forms of insurance is in our guide Health insurance during an internship (in German).
Related reading
- Praktikum im Studium: Pflicht, Dauer und Vergütung (in German)
- Health insurance during an internship abroad (in German)
- Health insurance during an internship (in German)
- Health insurance for students in the EU: EHIC and more
- Semester abroad: Do you need travel health insurance? (in German)
Sources: Section 5 SGB V, compulsory insurance of students and interns (checked October 2026); DVKA, German health insurance liaison office abroad (responsible body, date not checked)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
