AOK student health insurance costs 139.28 to 153.22 euros a month in 2026, including long-term care insurance, depending on the region. The basic contribution of 87.38 euros is the same across the country. The difference comes from the additional contribution: the AOK consists of eleven legally independent regional health insurers, and each sets its own rate.
The key points at a glance
- The contribution to student health insurance results from (10.22 percent plus additional contribution) of 855 euros. In 2026 the additional contributions of the eleven AOKs range from 2.47 percent to 3.50 percent.
- Long-term care insurance comes on top: 30.78 euros a month, or 35.91 euros for childless students from age 23. Both amounts are the same at all insurers.
- You choose the insurer at your place of residence or study. Before enrolment, the university requires a digital confirmation from a statutory health insurer.
- You remain family insured up to 25 while you study, as long as your total income in 2026 is no more than 565 euros a month.
Why does the AOK consist of eleven regional insurers?
The AOK is a group of eleven legally independent health insurers, each responsible for a region. Each of these insurers decides its additional contribution alone. That is why two students with the AOK can pay different amounts, even though the basic contribution is the same for both.
Some AOKs cover several states, for example AOK Nordost (Berlin, Brandenburg and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) or AOK PLUS (Saxony and Thuringia). In North Rhine-Westphalia, two insurers are represented: AOK NordWest and AOK Rheinland/Hamburg. The statutory benefits are largely the same at all statutory health insurers. Each insurer designs its own additional offers, which are listed on the respective AOK’s pages.
What does AOK student health insurance cost?
The monthly contribution consists of three parts. For health insurance, a contribution rate of 10.22 percent applies to a fixed basis of 855 euros (the BAföG need rate), which is 87.38 euros. On top comes the additional contribution of your AOK, calculated on the same 855 euros. The third part is long-term care insurance at 3.6 percent (30.78 euros), or 4.2 percent (35.91 euros) for childless students from age 23. Whether you receive BAföG makes no difference to this.
Example: Mia, 21, studies and has chosen AOK Hessen with an additional contribution of 2.98 percent. Health insurance: (10.22 percent + 2.98 percent) of 855 euros = 13.20 percent of 855 euros = 112.86 euros. With long-term care insurance of 30.78 euros, she pays 143.64 euros a month.
The contribution is due in advance for the semester. Monthly payment is possible by SEPA direct debit or standing order.
Why does the AOK additional contribution differ by state?
Because each regional AOK sets its own additional contribution. The average additional contribution of 2.9 percent set by the Federal Ministry of Health for 2026 is only a reference figure. The table below shows the rates of the eleven AOKs according to the list of health insurers of the GKV-Spitzenverband (as of 16 October 2026) and the contribution for students calculated from them. The order is alphabetical.
| AOK | Area | Additional contribution | Health insurance per month | With long-term care, under 23 / childless from 23 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AOK Baden-Württemberg | Baden-Württemberg | 2.99 percent | 112.95 euros | 143.73 euros / 148.86 euros |
| AOK Bayern | Bavaria | 2.69 percent | 110.38 euros | 141.16 euros / 146.29 euros |
| AOK Bremen/Bremerhaven | Bremen | 3.29 percent | 115.51 euros | 146.29 euros / 151.42 euros |
| AOK Hessen | Hesse | 2.98 percent | 112.86 euros | 143.64 euros / 148.77 euros |
| AOK Niedersachsen | Lower Saxony | 2.98 percent | 112.86 euros | 143.64 euros / 148.77 euros |
| AOK Nordost | Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | 3.50 percent | 117.31 euros | 148.09 euros / 153.22 euros |
| AOK NordWest | North Rhine-Westphalia, Schleswig-Holstein | 2.99 percent | 112.95 euros | 143.73 euros / 148.86 euros |
| AOK PLUS | Saxony, Thuringia | 3.10 percent | 113.89 euros | 144.67 euros / 149.80 euros |
| AOK Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland | Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland | 2.47 percent | 108.50 euros | 139.28 euros / 144.41 euros |
| AOK Rheinland/Hamburg | Hamburg, North Rhine-Westphalia | 3.29 percent | 115.51 euros | 146.29 euros / 151.42 euros |
| AOK Sachsen-Anhalt | Saxony-Anhalt | 2.89 percent | 112.09 euros | 142.87 euros / 148.00 euros |
Calculation: (10.22 percent + additional contribution) of 855 euros, rounded to the cent. Long-term care insurance: 30.78 euros or 35.91 euros.
Example: Two childless students, both 24. One is insured with AOK Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland (2.47 percent), the other with AOK Nordost (3.50 percent). Health insurance costs 108.50 euros and 117.31 euros respectively, and with long-term care it is 144.41 euros and 153.22 euros. The gap is 8.81 euros a month, which is about 106 euros a year. Insurers can change their additional contribution, so check the current rate before you register.
Which AOK is responsible at the university location and at the home location?
For compulsory student insurance, you choose among the insurers at your place of residence or study, according to the Verbraucherzentrale (consumer advice centre). If you continue to live with your parents during your studies, that is the AOK of your home region. If you move to another state, your place of residence and place of study may belong to a different regional AOK than your home.
Example: You come from Hesse (AOK Hessen, 2.98 percent) and study in Bremen (AOK Bremen/Bremerhaven, 3.29 percent). Calculated on 855 euros, that is 25.48 euros against 28.13 euros of additional contribution a month. Inform your AOK of the move, and before re-registering, ask which AOK you can be insured with.
Once you have chosen an insurer, the choice generally binds you for twelve months (section 175(4) SGB V). When you switch, the new insurer deregisters you from the old one and informs the university, so you do not need to terminate yourself. If your AOK raises its additional contribution, a special right of termination applies. Deadlines and the process are in the article switching health insurer as a student (in German). If you are also planning a move, the checklist moving for studies (in German) helps.
How do I register as a student with the AOK?
Membership starts with the semester, or, for enrolment after the semester has begun, on the day of enrolment. You choose your insurer no later than two weeks after compulsory insurance begins. The process works like this:
- Apply to the AOK of your region for membership as a student.
- Retrieve the digital confirmation through your insurer. It is available from 1 June at the earliest for the winter semester or 1 December at the earliest for the summer semester.
- The university requires this confirmation before enrolment and reports your enrolment to the insurer. Processing can take up to 24 hours.
- Set up the payment. If contributions remain unpaid, the insurer reports the arrears to the university, which may then refuse re-registration.
If you have private insurance, you still need the confirmation of a statutory insurer. This also applies to an exemption from compulsory insurance. You can submit the exemption application to any statutory insurer.
Does AOK family insurance also apply during study?
Yes. Family insurance runs through the insurer of a parent, so it is possible with the AOK if a parent is a member there. It costs no separate contribution. Under section 10 SGB V, age limits and an income limit apply.
- Age: up to 18 without further conditions, up to 23 if you are not in gainful employment, up to 25 while studying. A voluntary military service or voluntary social year can extend the limit by up to twelve months, and a statutory service for its duration.
- Income: in 2026 no more than 565 euros a month, or 603 euros for a mini-job. BAföG, child benefit and housing benefit do not count.
- Anyone who has been exempted from compulsory insurance is not family insured.
When family insurance ends, for example because you turn 25 or earn more, you usually become a member of student health insurance and pay the contributions calculated above. The overview health insurance for students (in German) covers compulsory insurance and options.
How do I compare the AOK with other insurers?
When comparing, the additional contribution matters most, because the rest is the same at all insurers. Here is how to calculate it yourself:
- Look up the additional contribution of the AOK in your region and of the other insurers you are considering in the list of health insurers of the GKV-Spitzenverband.
- Calculate (10.22 percent + additional contribution) times 855 euros. At 2.69 percent that is 12.91 percent, which gives 110.38 euros.
- Add long-term care insurance: 30.78 euros, or 35.91 euros if childless from age 23.
- Compare the additional offers and service on the insurers’ websites.
The rates of all insurers are in the article additional contributions 2026 of all health insurers (in German). Further insurers at a glance: Techniker Krankenkasse for students (in German) and Barmer and DAK for students (in German).
Frequently asked questions
What does AOK student health insurance cost?
In 2026 you pay for health insurance (10.22 percent + additional contribution) of 855 euros, depending on the regional AOK, between 108.50 euros and 117.31 euros. Long-term care insurance adds 30.78 euros or 35.91 euros for childless students from age 23. Together that is between 139.28 euros and 153.22 euros a month.
Why does the AOK additional contribution differ by state?
The AOK consists of eleven legally independent insurers, and each sets its own additional contribution. In 2026 the range runs from 2.47 percent at AOK Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland to 3.50 percent at AOK Nordost. The basic contribution of 87.38 euros is the same for all.
Do I have to change AOK when I move to my place of study?
Clarify this with your AOK before you re-register. The choice of insurer depends on your place of residence or study. Tell your insurer about the move and ask whether you can stay with your current AOK. If you switch, the new insurer takes over the deregistration from the old one and the notification to the university.
How do I register as a student with the AOK?
Apply for membership with the AOK of your region and retrieve the digital confirmation, from 1 June at the earliest for the winter semester. The university requires it before enrolment. You choose the insurer no later than two weeks after compulsory insurance begins.
Does AOK family insurance also apply during study?
Yes, if a parent is a member of the AOK. You are co-insured up to 25 while you study, as long as your total income in 2026 is no more than 565 euros a month (mini-job: 603 euros). Once one of these conditions lapses, you need to switch to student insurance.
So what do you do now?
- Find out which AOK is responsible at your place of study or residence and note its additional contribution.
- Calculate the monthly contribution with the formula and compare it with the rates of the other insurers.
- Check whether family insurance is possible: age up to 25 and income of no more than 565 euros a month.
- Retrieve the digital confirmation in good time before enrolment.
If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the way to advice on the Academycon homepage.
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Related articles
- Additional contributions 2026 of all health insurers and what students pay (in German)
- Switching health insurer as a student: deadlines, process and special right of termination (in German)
- Barmer and DAK for students: contributions, admission and facts (in German)
- Statutory health insurance during study: experience, costs, limits (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
