For health insurance enrolment, your university requires a digital confirmation from a statutory health insurer. This also applies to privately insured people and civil servants. The insurer reports your status electronically to the university, and processing can take up to 24 hours. Without the confirmation, the university refuses your enrolment or re-registration.
The key points at a glance
- Before enrolment, the university requires a digital confirmation from a statutory health insurer (section 199a(2) SGB V).
- Privately insured people and civil servants also need the confirmation from a statutory insurer. If this is your first insurance, you can choose the insurer freely.
- You can request the confirmation from 1 June at the earliest for the winter semester, and from 1 December at the earliest for the summer semester.
- You submit the application for exemption to private insurance within three months of the start of compulsory insurance.
Which proof does the university require for health insurance enrolment?
The university requires a digital confirmation from a statutory health insurer about your insurance status. The legal basis is section 199a SGB V. The confirmation tells the university whether you are subject to compulsory insurance, family-insured or exempt from compulsory insurance. Anyone enrolled at a state or state-recognised university is in principle part of student compulsory insurance. For an overview, see Health insurance for students: what you need to know (in German).
| Your situation | What the university needs |
|---|---|
| Statutorily insured or first-time insured | Digital confirmation from a statutory insurer, which you can choose freely if this is your first insurance |
| Family-insured | Confirmation from the statutory insurer through which you are family-insured |
| Privately insured or civil servant | Still the confirmation from a statutory insurer |
| Exempt from compulsory insurance | Notification from the insurer that granted the exemption |
| International students | Proof that you are statutorily insured, will be insured, or for another reason are not statutorily insured |
How does the electronic reporting procedure work?
The electronic reporting procedure is the legally required exchange of data between the health insurer and the university. The university reports your enrolment without delay to the responsible insurer (section 199a(3) SGB V). Reports have been meant to be electronic since 1 January 2021, although paper forms are still available. Your insurer informs you about the report.
So the insurance data passes from the insurer to the university, not from you. Your university’s enrolment portal shows the steps it requires. If you change insurer later, the new insurer informs the university. How the change works is explained in Changing health insurer as a student (in German).
How and when do you receive the confirmation from your health insurer?
You request the confirmation from a statutory health insurer. If this is your first insurance, you choose the insurer freely. The options include, among others, AOK, the substitute funds (Ersatzkassen), Knappschaft and company and guild insurers (Betriebs- and Innungskassen) at your place of residence or study. You must choose the insurer no later than two weeks after compulsory insurance begins.
You can request the confirmation from 1 June at the earliest for the winter semester, and from 1 December at the earliest for the summer semester. For the summer semester 2027, this means from 1 December 2026. Processing of the report can take up to 24 hours, so allow some time before your university’s deadlines. Membership begins with the semester. If you enrol only after the semester has started, it begins on the day of enrolment.
What applies to family-insured students?
Family insurance takes priority over student compulsory insurance. If you are family-insured, you are statutorily insured and request the confirmation from the insurer that insures you. Ask there how the report to the university works. One condition of family insurance under section 10 SGB V is, among other things, that your total income in 2026 is at most €565 a month. For a mini-job, the limit is €603.
What do privately insured people and exempt students need at enrolment?
Privately insured people and civil servants also need the confirmation from a statutory insurer, even if they are exempt. Private insurers do not take part in the reporting procedure. You submit the application for exemption to any statutory insurer, within three months of the start of compulsory insurance. In the case of an exemption, the insurer that granted it reports to the university.
The exemption takes effect only if you prove another entitlement to cover in case of illness, in practice a private contract. It takes effect retroactively from the start of compulsory insurance, provided you have not claimed any benefits up to that point, and it cannot be revoked. It normally applies for the whole degree. The details are in Applying for exemption from compulsory insurance (in German). How much time you have after starting your studies to decide is explained under Private health insurance at the start of studies (in German).
Which deadlines apply at the start of studies?
| Step | Deadline or timing |
|---|---|
| Request the insurer’s confirmation | From 1 June at the earliest (winter semester) or 1 December at the earliest (summer semester) |
| Choose the insurer | No later than two weeks after compulsory insurance begins |
| Submit the application for exemption | Within three months of the start of compulsory insurance |
| Processing of the report | Up to 24 hours |
| Start of membership | With the semester, or on the day of enrolment if you enrol later |
For a complete overview of all tasks before the start, see the Checklist for the start of studies (in German).
What happens without proof?
Without the confirmation, the university refuses enrolment or re-registration (section 254, sentence 3 SGB V). The same can happen if contributions remain unpaid: if payment is missed, the insurer reports the arrears to the university, which can refuse enrolment or re-registration (section 199a(5)). Student insurance contributions are generally payable in advance for the semester, although monthly payment by SEPA direct debit or standing order is possible.
What applies to international students?
International students also have to prove, before enrolment, that they are statutorily insured, will be insured, or for another reason are not statutorily insured. The insurer reports the status to the university. Since the end of 2025, insurers have examined incoming contracts more closely. An exemption must be applied for within three months, takes effect only with proof of another entitlement, cannot be revoked and applies as long as your studies are not interrupted for at least one month. A leave semester does not interrupt them. The guidance of the Studierendenwerke on health insurance for international students explains the process. Further information on private cover is available under Private health insurance for international students in Germany (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Which proof does the university require at enrolment?
A digital confirmation from a statutory health insurer about your insurance status. It is required before enrolment and also applies to privately insured people, civil servants and exempt students. If this is your first insurance, you choose the insurer freely.
How does the university receive my insurance data?
Through the electronic reporting procedure between the insurer and the university. The university reports the enrolment to the responsible insurer, which confirms your status. Your insurer informs you about its report. If you change insurer later, the new insurer reports the change to the university.
What do I need as a privately insured student for enrolment?
Also the confirmation from a statutory insurer, because private insurers do not take part in the reporting procedure. If you want to remain privately insured, you also submit the application for exemption, within three months of the start of compulsory insurance.
How long does the confirmation take?
Processing of the report can take up to 24 hours. Ask your insurer how quickly it provides the confirmation, and allow time before your university’s deadlines.
What happens without proof?
The university refuses enrolment or re-registration. This can also happen if the insurer reports outstanding contributions.
The process in four steps
- Clarify whether you are compulsorily insured, family-insured or privately insured, and choose a statutory insurer if this is your first insurance.
- Request the digital confirmation from the insurer, at the earliest from 1 June or 1 December.
- Wait for the electronic report, which can take up to 24 hours, and then enrol.
- If you want private insurance, submit the application for exemption within three months of the start of compulsory insurance.
If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the route to advice on the Academycon homepage.
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Related articles
- Checklist for the start of studies (in German)
- Applying for exemption from compulsory insurance (in German)
- Private health insurance at the start of studies (in German)
- Changing health insurer as a student (in German)
- Re-registration and semester contribution: deadlines and consequences of missing them (in German)
- Studying without health insurance: obligation, consequences and back payment (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
