There is no single health insurance fund that offers the best extras for students. Extras are voluntary additional benefits, bonus programmes and optional tariffs. They differ from fund to fund, change often and do not replace the statutory benefits. This guide explains the types of extras, what the law says and how to check them for your everyday life.
Short answer: Extras are not one uniform package. There are voluntary benefits in the statutes (section 11 SGB V), bonus programmes under section 65a SGB V and optional tariffs under section 53 SGB V. Which fund offers the extras that suit you is set by its statutes and by how you would use them, not by a ranking. Check conditions, deadlines and proof before you decide.
The most important points
- Extras are voluntary benefits beyond the statutory minimum and differ from fund to fund.
- According to the supervisory authority, bonus programmes may not be tied to additional insurance periods.
- Optional tariffs such as a deductible or a contribution refund change the cost logic and the binding period.
- A bonus is worthwhile only if you would use the measure anyway and the effort is small.
- What counts are the statutes, conditions and duration of the offer, not the advertising.
What types of extras exist?
In health insurance there are several forms of additional offers. They rest on different legal bases and have different effects. The table below helps you tell them apart. It describes the structure, not specific offers of any fund.
| Type | Legal basis | Typical example | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Voluntary benefits in the statutes | section 11 (6) SGB V | additional preventive care or courses offered voluntarily by the fund | scope, conditions and duration are set in the statutes |
| Bonus programmes | section 65a SGB V | bonus for health-conscious behaviour, such as check-ups or prevention courses | measure, proof, deadline and amount of the bonus |
| Optional tariffs | section 53 SGB V | deductible tariffs or contribution refund tariffs | binding period, own share and effect on benefits |
| Statutory preventive and dental care | section 22 SGB V | dental check-ups and removal of tartar as prophylaxis | scope within the statutory framework, check extras separately |
Source for the classification: the provisions of the Social Code Book V named in the table (section 65a SGB V).
What applies to bonus programmes?
Bonus programmes are the most common and the most misunderstood form. In 2021 the supervisory authority clarified that bonuses under section 65a SGB V may not be tied to additional insurance requirements. A bonus may be granted only for measures used during the membership. The authority asked funds to remove corresponding statute rules (source: circular of the Federal Social Insurance Office, 12 August 2021).
How high a bonus is and which measures count is governed by section 65a SGB V together with the statutes of the fund. The amount varies by fund and year. We therefore do not name amounts of individual funds.
Calculation example: when is a bonus worthwhile?
Assumption: one fund has an additional contribution 0.5 percentage points higher than another. With a contribution base of EUR 855, that means EUR 4.28 per month, or EUR 51.30 per year. A bonus of EUR 51 per year would offset this difference on paper. This holds only if you would take the measure anyway and do not add a course fee, travel or time.
Assumption two: you pay EUR 150 for a course and receive a bonus of EUR 100. Then you are EUR 50 worse off, even if the fund advertises the offer as an advantage. Always set your own share against the bonus.
Voluntary benefits and optional tariffs at a glance
Voluntary benefits are offers a fund provides beyond the statutory catalogue. They are set out in the statutes and can change. Optional tariffs are a deliberate decision: you give up certain benefits or take on part of the costs, and in return the contribution is usually lower. Whether that suits you depends on how often you use benefits.
Optional tariffs often come with binding periods, so read them carefully before you commit. A tariff that looks cheap today can become expensive if an illness brings a high own share.
Which extras matter for students?
For students, preventive care, prevention and dental benefits are usually the most relevant. Courses on exercise, nutrition or stress management are supported under section 20 SGB V. The statute sets the framework, and the fund defines the details. Ask specifically which courses are recognised and what share is covered.
For bonus programmes, keep the documents as well. Many bonuses require proof, such as a certificate for a check-up or a course attendance. Keep the receipts and make sure they reach the fund within the deadline. A missed proof can cost you the bonus even if you completed the measure.
For dental benefits, look at the statutory framework under section 22 SGB V. Dental check-ups are part of the statutory scheme, while further prophylaxis is often a voluntary benefit. If you need regular professional cleaning or extensive treatment, check this separately. An overview of supplementary dental cover is in our guide Student dental insurance: is it worth it?.
How to check extras step by step
Comparing extras quickly becomes confusing if you only read advertising. Work with the statutes and the conditions, not the headline. The following order helps you judge the benefit realistically.
- Note which benefits you really need in the next two years, such as dental check-ups, vaccinations or prevention courses.
- Check the fund’s statutes for the voluntary benefits on offer and the conditions attached.
- For bonus programmes, read the measures, the proof and the deadline. Check whether you would take the measure anyway.
- For optional tariffs, set the binding period and the possible own share against how you would use the tariff.
Frequently asked questions
Is a fund with many extras automatically better?
Not necessarily. Many extras are useful only if you use them. An offer you never take up brings you nothing, and a high additional contribution can cancel out the advantages. Judge the benefit for your own situation.
May a bonus be tied to a prior insurance period?
According to the clarification of the supervisory authority from 2021, no. Bonus rules may not contain additional insurance requirements. The bonus is granted for measures used during the membership with the fund.
Can I lose extras at any time?
That can happen if a fund changes its statutes or an offer ends. For this reason, do not make a lasting decision based only on extras. Look instead at the benefits that are firmly guaranteed by statute.
Do I have to take out an optional tariff straight away?
No, take your time. Optional tariffs are tied to deadlines that you should know before you sign. Advice from the fund or a consumer advice service helps you understand the consequences.
What to do now
- List the benefits you are likely to need in the next two years.
- Read the statutes and conditions of the funds that come into question.
- Calculate each bonus against your own costs, including time and travel.
- Decide only after you know the binding periods and deadlines.
Related guides
- Student dental insurance: is it worth it?
- Statutory Health Insurance (GKV) Explained
- Health insurance for students: glossary from A to Z
- Glasses on Health Insurance: Entitlement in Statutory Insurance
- Zahnzusatzversicherung im Studium (in German)
Sources: Section 65a SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de; Federal Social Insurance Office, circular on bonus benefits (12 August 2021); Section 53 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de; Section 11 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de; Section 20 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
