Health insurance for students from Brazil in Germany follows the same rules as for all students at German universities. The difference lies in how you get your residence: visa-free short stays are not enough for a degree, and the proof you submit to the embassy or the immigration office has to fit your situation. This guide explains the steps and the questions to clarify in advance.
Short answer: Students from Brazil are subject to statutory student insurance once they are enrolled at a state or recognised university (section 5(1) no. 9 SGB V). For a degree you need a residence permit, because visa-free short stays do not suffice. As an example, the statutory student contribution was about 143 euros a month in 2026 (assumption). Last updated: October 2026.
Key points at a glance
- Compulsory insurance depends on enrolment, not on nationality (section 5(1) no. 9 SGB V).
- Visa-free short stays do not cover a degree. For study you need a residence permit.
- Whether you must apply for a visa in advance or apply for the permit after entry is decided by the responsible office, based on your situation.
- Exemption from statutory insurance must be applied for within three months (section 8 SGB V).
- A policy from Brazil does not automatically replace the German proof. Have it checked in advance.
Do I need a visa if I come from Brazil?
Brazilian nationals can enter Germany without a visa for short stays under the EU visa regulation. The rule covers stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period and is listed in Annex II of Regulation (EU) 2018/1806. This route is not enough for a degree, because study requires a residence permit. Under section 16b(1) AufenthG, a residence permit for a full-time course is issued once you have a place at the university.
Whether you must apply for the visa in advance at the mission, or can apply for the residence permit after entry at the immigration office, depends on your situation. The office that handles your application answers this question. Ask early, so that you do not lose time on the wrong route. The German Embassy in Brasília and the consulates general handle visa procedures, and the current information sheet is the basis.
Which health insurance does the university require?
Under section 5(1) no. 9 SGB V, students at state or recognised universities are subject to compulsory insurance until they reach the age of 30. Nationality makes no difference. If you already have compulsory cover or family insurance, the student obligation does not apply (section 5(7) SGB V). The university checks at enrolment which cover is in place.
A policy from Brazil must fit the requirements of the information sheet and of the university. It does not count simply because it provides some cover. Have it checked before you submit the application, and get the confirmation in writing.
How does exemption from statutory insurance work?
Under certain conditions you can apply to be exempt from compulsory insurance (section 8 SGB V). The application must reach the health insurer within three months of the start of the obligation. It takes effect from the start of the obligation if no benefits have been used, otherwise from the following month. The exemption cannot be revoked.
The application only works with proof of another entitlement to cover in case of illness. Whether a policy from Brazil provides this is checked by the health insurer case by case. A private policy in Germany must also meet the requirements of the visa and the university. Private tariffs usually include a health check, and benefit limits or waiting periods can apply. The differences are explained in our guide Private Health Insurance for International Students.
What does student health insurance cost?
Contributions are calculated from an assessment base. For students living away from their parents, section 236 SGB V sets it at 855 euros a month. The contribution rate for students is 10.22 percent (section 245 SGB V). Your health insurer’s supplementary contribution is added. The Federal Ministry of Health gives an average supplementary rate of 2.9 percent for 2026, but actual rates differ by insurer.
| Item (assumption: 855 euros assessment base, supplementary contribution 2.9 percent, under 23) | Amount per month |
|---|---|
| Health insurance without supplementary contribution (10.22 percent) | 87.38 euros |
| Supplementary contribution (average 2.9 percent) | 24.80 euros |
| Long-term care insurance (3.6 percent, without childless surcharge) | 30.78 euros |
| Total | 142.96 euros |
From age 23 without children, the childless surcharge of 0.6 percentage points for long-term care insurance applies, and the total rises to 148.09 euros a month. The figures match the GKV-Spitzenverband fact sheet on 2026 calculation values (status 1 January 2026). The notice from your health insurer is the figure that counts.
How do I plan financial proof and transfers from Brazil?
The responsible office sets the amount of financial proof, and the information sheet of the mission states the current figure. Amounts from other countries do not apply to you, even if they look similar.
Transfers from Brazil and the opening of a bank account in Germany can lead to questions, because banks check the origin and purpose of money. Prepare the evidence early. It includes bank statements, proof of income or support, and a confirmation from your bank.
- Agree the admission and semester start with the university.
- Clarify whether the visa must be applied for in advance or whether the permit is applied for after entry.
- Settle financial proof and bank questions with your bank and the responsible office.
- Check the health insurance proof against the requirements of the information sheet.
- Book translations, certifications and appointments in good time.
What happens if I stay in Germany after my degree?
Student membership ends with de-registration, at the end of the semester (section 190(9) SGB V). If you then hold employment or another reason to stay, you need new cover. Clarify this transition early with your health insurer and the immigration office, because your reason for stay determines the options.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study with a visa-free entry or a tourist stay?
No. For a degree you need a residence permit. Visa-free short stays do not cover study. Clarify the route with the mission or the immigration office before you make plans.
Is my Brazilian health insurance enough for the visa?
The information sheet of the responsible office decides this. The policy must show benefits, cover and duration as required. Have it checked in advance and keep the written confirmation.
Do I have to take out statutory insurance in Germany?
As a student at a state or recognised university, you are subject to compulsory insurance until the age of 30, unless a prior obligation or family insurance applies. Exemption is possible but subject to conditions.
When does the exemption deadline run out?
Three months after the start of compulsory insurance. Note the date as soon as you are enrolled. If you have already used benefits, the exemption takes effect only from the month after the application.
Does a scholarship change my contribution?
Contributions for students are calculated from the assessment base under section 236 SGB V, not from the amount of a scholarship. Whether a scholarship affects compulsory insurance is for the health insurer to decide, so ask them directly and in writing.
What to do next
- Ask the mission or the immigration office which residence route fits your studies.
- Agree the health insurance proof with the university and your insurer.
- Prepare the financial proof early and clarify bank questions.
- After enrolment: confirm compulsory insurance and note the three-month deadline for a possible exemption.
Related reading
- Health Insurance for International Students in Germany
- Public or Private Health Insurance for International Students
- Health Insurance Enrolment: Proof, Procedure and Exemption
- Health insurance for students from Nepal in Germany
Sources:
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 on the visa requirement, Annex II (status October 2026)
- Section 5 SGB V, compulsory insurance (statute, German text, status October 2026)
- Section 8 SGB V, exemption (statute, German text, status October 2026)
- Section 236 SGB V, assessment base (statute, German text, status October 2026)
- Section 16b AufenthG, study (statute, German text, status October 2026)
- GKV-Spitzenverband, fact sheet on 2026 calculation values (status 1 January 2026, German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
