Contraception is a question of health and planning, and it costs money. Germany’s statutory health insurance covers certain services, but not all of them, and what it pays depends on your age and the type of product. This guide explains what students can expect as of October 2026 and where the limits lie.
Short answer: Insured people up to their 22nd birthday are entitled under section 24a SGB V to prescription contraceptives, and to emergency contraception prescribed by a doctor. Medical counselling on contraception is a fund benefit without an age limit. For prescribed products the statutory copayment may apply (section 61 SGB V). Last updated: October 2026.
Key points at a glance
- Medical counselling on contraception is a fund benefit without an age limit (section 24a (1) SGB V).
- Prescription contraceptives are covered by the fund up to the 22nd birthday (section 24a (2) SGB V).
- Emergency contraception is covered up to the 22nd birthday when prescribed, with no age limit where there are signs of sexual abuse or rape.
- For prescribed products the copayment rules apply: 10 percent, at least 5 and at most 10 euros (section 61 SGB V).
- From the 23rd birthday, this provision gives no entitlement to prescription contraceptives. We do not name prices of individual products.
Which services does the fund pay for contraception?
The fund distinguishes between counselling, prescription contraceptives and emergency contraception. Counselling is a fund benefit regardless of age. For the products themselves, an age limit applies. The table summarises the main cases.
| Service | Up to age 22 | From age 23 |
|---|---|---|
| Medical counselling on contraception, including examination and prescription | Entitlement (section 24a (1) SGB V) | Entitlement (section 24a (1) SGB V), no age limit |
| Prescription contraceptives | Entitlement (section 24a (2) SGB V) | No entitlement under this provision |
| Doctor-prescribed emergency contraception | Entitlement (section 24a (2) SGB V) | Entitlement only where there are signs of sexual abuse or rape |
The prescription is the key. Without a doctor’s prescription, the fund does not cover products under this provision. Ask specifically during counselling which product is medically suitable for you and how it will be prescribed.
What do you pay yourself? The copayment explained
For prescribed products the copayment under section 61 sentence 1 SGB V applies: 10 percent of the pharmacy price, at least 5 and at most 10 euros. The copayment never exceeds the cost of the product. Section 24a (2) refers to the rules of section 31 SGB V, so your fund confirms case by case whether a copayment applies and in what amount.
Assumption: a prescribed product has a pharmacy price of 25 euros. Ten percent would be 2.50 euros, but the minimum is 5 euros, so you pay 5 euros. At a pharmacy price of 120 euros, 12 euros would be calculated, but the maximum of 10 euros applies, so you pay 10 euros.
Copayments count towards the annual cap. Once you reach it in a calendar year, you pay no further copayments for the rest of that year (section 62 SGB V). The cap is 2 percent of your gross income for living costs. Our German guide on chronic illness during studies explains how this works in detail.
How does emergency contraception work through the fund?
Emergency contraception is not prescription-only, but the fund covers it when a doctor prescribes it. The entitlement runs up to the 22nd birthday. Where there are signs of sexual abuse or rape, the entitlement exists without an age limit (section 24a (2) SGB V).
Timing matters. Raise the subject with your doctor as early as possible so that the prescription is available in time. You receive the prescription from the practice, not from the fund itself.
What does contraception cost from the 23rd birthday?
From the 23rd birthday, section 24a SGB V gives no entitlement to prescription contraceptives. You then bear the costs yourself, unless another entitlement applies. Medical counselling remains a fund benefit, even without an age limit.
The 22nd birthday itself is the cut-off date. Plan counselling and prescriptions in good time, so that no gap arises and you know which costs apply afterwards.
We deliberately do not name prices of individual products, because they differ by manufacturer, pack size and pharmacy. Compare the pharmacy prices directly before you decide. If you are unsure, ask your doctor whether a lower-cost alternative is suitable for you.
How does private health insurance handle it?
In private health insurance, reimbursement follows your tariff. The age rules of the statutory fund do not apply there. Before a switch, check which products your tariff reimburses and whether a deductible (Selbstbeteiligung) applies. Our German guide on PKV benefits for students (in German) gives an overview.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a prescription for the pill?
Prescription contraceptives are supplied on a doctor’s prescription. The statutory fund covers the supply under section 24a (2) SGB V only within this prescription framework. Ask during counselling which product you need and how long the prescription is valid.
Does the fund pay for medical counselling after 22?
Yes. Counselling on contraception, including examination and prescription, is a fund benefit without an age limit under section 24a (1) SGB V. The age limit only concerns the supply of the products themselves.
What applies if there are signs of sexual abuse?
The age rule does not apply in that case. Entitlement to emergency contraception exists without an age limit where there are signs of sexual abuse or rape (section 24a (2) SGB V). Speak to a doctor, who can advise you on this.
Does the fund pay for non-prescription condoms?
Not under this provision. Section 24a SGB V covers prescription contraceptives and doctor-prescribed emergency contraception. Non-prescription condoms are not part of it and you generally pay for them yourself.
What should you do now?
- Book a counselling appointment with a doctor of your choice.
- Have the product prescribed that suits you, and ask how long the prescription is valid.
- Ask your fund whether a copayment applies and in what amount.
- Note the date of your 22nd birthday, so that you can plan costs for the period afterwards in time.
- Keep prescriptions and copayment receipts, so that you can prove the annual cap if needed.
Related reading
- Copayment Exemption and Out-of-Pocket Limit for Students
- Health insurance for students: glossary from A to Z
- Pregnant while studying: benefits and amounts 2026 (in German)
Sources: Section 24a SGB V, contraception (retrieved October 2026, in German), Section 61 SGB V, copayments (retrieved October 2026, in German), Section 31 SGB V, medicines (retrieved October 2026, in German), Section 62 SGB V, annual cap (retrieved October 2026, in German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
