DAK or AOK for students is, for many, the choice between a nationwide Ersatzkasse with an app and a round-the-clock phone line and a regional fund with offices at the campus. This guide compares service routes, courses and programmes and includes the additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag) in the calculation. It makes no recommendation.
Short answer: DAK charges an additional contribution of 3.20 percent, and the eleven regional AOKs charge between 2.47 and 3.50 percent (fund list of the GKV-Spitzenverband, as of 27 October 2026). On a contribution base of 855 euros the range compared with DAK runs from minus 6.24 to plus 2.57 euros per month. DAK states a total contribution of 145.52 euros for students (as of 1 October 2026).
The key points
- DAK has one nationwide rate, whereas at AOK it depends on the regional fund.
- DAK names an app, video consultations and a number that works around the clock at local rates. AOK names offices near the campus and the Meine AOK app.
- Both funds run stress management courses: DAK with a cost contribution and online coaching, AOK with yoga, relaxation and liveonline seminars.
- For travel vaccinations, DAK names a reimbursement of 100 percent.
- For basics and deadlines, see switching health insurer as a student.
How does the DAK rate compare with four regional AOKs?
| Fund | Additional contribution | Difference to DAK per month | Difference per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| AOK Hessen | 2.98 percent | minus 1.88 euros | minus 22.57 euros |
| AOK PLUS | 3.10 percent | minus 0.86 euros | minus 10.26 euros |
| AOK Nordost | 3.50 percent | plus 2.57 euros | plus 30.78 euros |
| AOK Rheinland-Pfalz/Saarland | 2.47 percent | minus 6.24 euros | minus 74.90 euros |
The reference is DAK at 3.20 percent, or 27.36 euros per month. AOK determines by postcode which AOK applies to you. How the additional contribution works is explained in additional contribution 2026: all health insurers. The selection of four funds shows spread, not the cost of your own AOK.
How do accessibility and digital services differ?
| Route | DAK (as of 1 October 2026) | AOK (student page) |
|---|---|---|
| Phone | 040 325 325 555, around the clock at local rates; second number 040 325 325 536, Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Varies by region |
| App and portal | DAK app for invoices, certificates, bonus, change of address, new health card, video consultation | Meine AOK with online portal and app, certificates and data changes |
| On site | No locations on the pages reviewed, the app is described as a service centre for your pocket | Offices near the campus at many universities, no list of locations |
| Proof to the university | Not covered by the pages reviewed | Automatic transmission, paper proof for universities abroad |
DAK names two numbers with different hours on its pages. That matters if you want to be reachable in the afternoon. Anyone who wants personal advice should check before joining whether an AOK office is within reach.
Which courses and programmes are there?
DAK lists a stress management training and a yoga course with a cost contribution, plus nutrition counselling with cost coverage, online coaching, anti-stress coaching via the Balloon app, a campus planner and a student newsletter. The AktivBonus rewards activities with points and subsidises sports equipment with up to 500 euros. AOK names yoga and relaxation courses with no personal contribution, the liveonline seminars on study stress, time management and mindfulness and, for AOK Nordost, the StarterBonus with premiums of up to 935 euros per year (page of 17 March 2025). Whether your regional fund offers something equivalent is something to ask there.
How does the switch work?
The switch runs via the new fund. You declare your choice there, the new fund reports it to the previous one, and the previous one confirms the end of membership (§ 175 SGB V). After joining you are bound for twelve months. After that you can terminate at the end of the second calendar month, and the new fund’s registration replaces the termination. If your fund raises the additional contribution, the special termination right applies until the end of the month from which the higher rate applies. These rules are the same for DAK and AOK, only the start of membership depends on the date of your university certificate. For details on deadlines, see switching health insurer as a student.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to visit a DAK office to join?
No. You declare your choice of fund to the new fund, which reports the switch (§ 175 SGB V). A visit in person is not required.
Are the courses the same for all insured persons?
The funds’ pages do not distinguish between students and other insured persons for the courses named. Subsidies follow the rules of the articles of association.
What happens to optional tariffs when I switch?
According to the page, DAK’s Garantietarif 90 runs for three years. Ending your membership and ending a tariff commitment are separate questions, so clarify them before switching.
Next steps
- Find your responsible regional AOK and its rate.
- Set DAK’s 3.20 percent against it and convert the difference into a year.
- Decide whether round-the-clock reachability or campus proximity matters more to you.
- Choose the fund and keep the twelve-month commitment in mind.
Related reading
- DAK student health insurance: cost 2026, over 30 and benefits
- AOK student health insurance: regional rates 2026
- Student health insurance in Germany 2026: key figures
- German health insurance terms for newcomers
Sources: GKV-Spitzenverband, health insurance fund list (27 October 2026, German), DAK-Gesundheit, health insurance for students (retrieved October 2026, German), DAK-Gesundheit, benefits and tariffs for students (1 October 2026), AOK, benefits for students (retrieved October 2026, German), AOK Nordost, StarterBonus (updated 17 March 2025, German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
