If you come to Germany from outside the EU to study, you will almost always need German health insurance. For most students the choice is between the statutory student health insurance (Krankenversicherung der Studierenden, KVdS) and a private health insurance policy (private Krankenversicherung, PKV). This guide explains how the contributions are calculated, when a private policy is an option and what visa offices usually expect.
In short: Students enrolled at a German state or state-recognised university are normally insured in the statutory student insurance up to the age of 30, unless an exemption applies. For 2026 the basic contribution is 87.38 euros per month, plus your insurer’s additional contribution (average 2.9 percent, about 24.80 euros) and long-term care insurance (30.78 euros, or 35.91 euros for childless students aged 23 or older).
Key points in brief
- Students enrolled at a German state or state-recognised university are normally compulsorily insured until they turn 30.
- The basic contribution for 2026 is 87.38 euros per month. Your insurer adds its own additional contribution on top.
- Long-term care insurance adds 30.78 euros per month, or 35.91 euros if you are childless and 23 or older.
- A private policy is possible in some cases, but you usually have to apply within three months of the start of compulsory insurance.
- Your visa office or German mission sets the requirements for your health cover. Check them before you choose a policy.
How much does statutory student health insurance cost in 2026?
Your student contribution is not based on your actual income. It is calculated from a fixed reference amount. For 2026 that amount is 855 euros per month for students who do not live with their parents. It equals one thirtieth of the BAföG living allowance (475 euros plus 380 euros), as set in section 236 of Social Code Book V (SGB V). The health insurance part is calculated at 10.22 percent of this amount, which is seven tenths of the general rate of 14.6 percent.
Your health insurer also charges its own additional contribution. The average rate for 2026 is 2.9 percent, but the rate of your insurer can be higher or lower. Compare the current rate of your insurer before you assume a total.
| Component (per month, 2026) | Amount | How it is calculated |
|---|---|---|
| Reference amount for students | 855.00 euros | One thirtieth of the BAföG living allowance, for students not living with their parents |
| Basic health insurance contribution | 87.38 euros | 10.22 percent of 855 euros |
| Average additional contribution | 24.80 euros | Average rate of 2.9 percent; your insurer’s own rate may differ |
| Long-term care, no childless surcharge | 30.78 euros | 3.6 percent of 855 euros |
| Long-term care, childless and 23 or older | 35.91 euros | 4.2 percent of 855 euros, including the childless surcharge |
Assumption: you are 23 or older, have no children and your insurer charges the average additional contribution. Your monthly total is then about 148.09 euros (87.38 + 24.80 + 35.91). If you are younger than 23, the total is about 142.96 euros (87.38 + 24.80 + 30.78). Both figures are calculations from the 2026 values, not an offer from any insurer.
Can you choose private health insurance instead?
In principle, a student who is compulsorily insured in the statutory student insurance can apply for an exemption and take out private cover instead. Under section 8 of SGB V, the application must reach your health insurer within three months of the start of compulsory insurance. You also have to show that you have another entitlement to coverage in case of illness. Once the exemption has been granted, it cannot be revoked, so the decision needs care.
Exemptions are a narrow route, not a standard choice. Many students therefore stay in the statutory system, and the private option is a decision for people whose situation clearly fits the conditions. A personal consultation with Academycon can help you check your situation against the rules before the deadline.
Public or private: what to compare
| Aspect | Statutory student insurance | Private health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| Contribution | Calculated from the fixed reference amount, plus the insurer’s additional rate | Depends on the tariff, your age and your health at the time of application |
| Health check | Not required | Usually required, and conditions or exclusions may apply |
| Visa requirements | Accepted as adequate German cover | Must meet the minimum requirements set by your visa office |
| Changes later | Standard rules for changing insurer | Switching back to statutory insurance is limited in many cases |
| Benefits | Statutory benefit catalogue | Set by the tariff, which can include extra services |
Neither option is right for everyone. A private policy can make sense for a young and healthy student if the visa office accepts the tariff and you are comfortable with rising premiums over time. Statutory insurance is the default for most students because it is simpler, does not require a health check and follows fixed rules. Whichever route you consider, read the contract conditions in full, including how premiums develop with age.
What does the visa office expect?
If you are not a citizen of an EU country, you need proof of adequate German health insurance for your visa and your residence permit. A checklist from the German mission in the Netherlands from February 2025 lists proof of sufficient German health insurance as a required document. It does not name minimum benefits. Other missions may set stricter rules, so confirm the requirements with the mission in your country before you buy a policy.
Visa offices usually ask for financial proof alongside health insurance. Our guide to the blocked account for Germany explains how that proof works.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to be insured as an international student?
Usually yes. Students enrolled at a German state or state-recognised university are generally subject to compulsory insurance in the student scheme until the age of 30. Your visa and residence permit will also require proof of adequate German cover. Confirm your exact status with your university, because exemptions and special cases exist.
Is the contribution the same for every student?
The reference amount is the same for all students in the same situation, but the additional contribution is set by each health insurer. That means two students with the same income base can pay different totals. Compare the current rates of insurers in your region and check the official figures from the Federal Ministry of Health.
What is the childless surcharge?
Childless students who have reached the age of 23 pay a surcharge of 0.6 percentage points for long-term care insurance. The surcharge applies from the month after the 23rd birthday. Students with children do not pay it. Your health insurer can confirm the exact start date in your case.
What happens after I finish my studies?
Compulsory student insurance ends with the semester in which you are de-registered from your university or reach the age of 30. Plan your next cover in good time, because a gap can leave you uninsured. Our guide on de-registration and health insurance gaps explains the typical steps.
What you can do now
- Confirm that your university is a state or state-recognised institution and check your enrolment status, because this decides whether compulsory student insurance applies.
- Ask your visa office or the German mission in your country which proof of health insurance it requires, and whether it has a minimum standard for private policies.
- Calculate your monthly cost with the table above, using your insurer’s current additional contribution rate.
- If private cover interests you, note the three-month deadline under section 8 of SGB V and act before your compulsory insurance begins.
- Compare any tariff in writing, including the premium development, the health check conditions and the benefits.
Related guides
- Student Health Insurance in Germany 2026: Key Figures
- Student Health Insurance Germany 2026: Rates and Example
- Health insurance for students: glossary from A to Z
- Blocked account Germany 2026: providers and amount compared
- Studying in Germany from India: health insurance, blocked account and visa 2026
Sources: GKV-Spitzenverband, Rechengrößen Beitragsrecht 2026 (status January 2026) · Section 236 SGB V (current text) · Section 5 SGB V (current text) · Section 8 SGB V, exemption (current text) · Federal Ministry of Health, contributions (page dated September 2026)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
