If you are a student with statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, GKV), you stay insured during a leave of absence. This guide explains how leave of absence insurance works for compulsory insured students, privately insured students and family members, and what it costs. In 2026, health insurance during a leave of absence costs between 118.16 € and 123.29 € per month plus your insurer’s additional contribution. Privately insured students and family members stay covered too, but different rules apply to them.
The most important points at a glance
- A leave of absence does not end your compulsory student insurance or an existing exemption in favour of private insurance.
- In compulsory student insurance you pay between 118.16 € and 123.29 € in 2026, plus your insurer’s additional contribution, regardless of whether you receive BAföG.
- Family members pay no contribution but may earn at most 565 € per month (mini-job: 603 €).
- Statutory health insurance does not pay for medically necessary repatriation from abroad. For that you need private travel health insurance.
- De-registration (exmatriculation) is not a leave of absence and ends compulsory student insurance at the end of the semester.
Do I stay health insured during a leave of absence?
Yes. With the leave of absence you remain enrolled at your university, and your enrolment is the basis for compulsory student insurance (KVdS) under § 5 para. 1 no. 9 SGB V (Social Code Book V). What this means for you depends on how you are insured at the moment.
| Your status | What applies during a leave of absence |
|---|---|
| Compulsory student insurance (GKV) | Continues, the contribution remains payable |
| Exempt from the insurance obligation (PKV) | Exemption and private contract remain in place |
| Family insured | Free of contributions as long as the conditions are met |
| De-registered | Not a leave of absence, the compulsory insurance ends at the end of the semester |
The basics of student health insurance are explained in our guide to health insurance for students (in German).
What does health insurance cost during a leave of absence?
As a compulsory insured student you pay the normal student contribution. In 2026 it is calculated from a fixed assessment base of 855 €. A rate of 10.22 % applies, which comes to 87.38 € for health insurance. This basic contribution is the same across Germany and does not depend on receiving BAföG. Nursing care insurance and your insurer’s additional contribution come on top.
| Case (2026) | Health insurance | Nursing care insurance | Total without additional contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 23 or with a child | 87.38 € | 30.78 € | 118.16 € |
| Childless from age 23 | 87.38 € | 35.91 € | 123.29 € |
Example: Mia is 24, has no children and has taken a semester off. Her insurer charges an additional contribution of 2.9 %, which is the average for 2026. The additional contribution is 855 € × 2.9 % = 24.80 €. In total Mia pays 87.38 € + 35.91 € + 24.80 € = 148.09 €, so roughly 148 € per month. Your insurer will tell you your own additional contribution rate.
What applies to private health insurance during a leave of absence?
If you were exempted from the insurance obligation at the start of your studies, you stay privately insured. The exemption applies for the entire course of study and cannot be revoked. A leave of absence does not interrupt your studies, so the exemption does not end. Your private contract continues, and the contribution remains due.
Do not cancel the contract on your own. A contract that fulfils your insurance obligation can only be cancelled if you prove equivalent cover, and this must be in place within two months of the cancellation. Keep in mind that private contributions can be adjusted, regardless of a leave of absence. The steps for the decision to go private are described in our guide on how to switch to private insurance as a student (in German).
The same principles apply to international students. Here too, a leave of absence does not interrupt the studies. More on this is in our guide on private health insurance for international students (in German). The legal basis for the exemption is § 8 SGB V, and the Verbraucherzentrale (German consumer advice centre) offers a clear overview.
Does family insurance continue during a leave of absence?
That depends on the usual conditions. Children are covered under their parents up to age 23 if they are not in paid employment, and up to age 25 if they are in school education or studying. Anyone who is family insured is not additionally in compulsory student insurance. Ask your parents’ insurer before the leave of absence starts to confirm that family insurance will continue.
If you work during the leave of absence, you must observe the income limit: 565 € total income per month, or 603 € if the work is exclusively a mini-job. BAföG and child benefit are not counted. If the limit is exceeded, family insurance ends and you must inform the insurer. An occasional, unforeseeable exceedance may be harmless. Clarify in advance with your health insurer how long this applies.
Leave of absence or de-registration: what changes for insurance?
With a leave of absence you remain enrolled, with de-registration you do not. For health insurance this difference is decisive. If you are de-registered, compulsory student insurance ends at the end of the semester for which you were last enrolled or re-registered. If you re-enrol within one month after the end of the semester, membership continues. The legal basis is § 190 para. 9 SGB V, and the wording is available at Gesetze im Internet.
After that, membership with the insurer usually continues as voluntary insurance. You can leave within two weeks of the insurer’s notice, but only if you can show other cover. Another limit is age: compulsory student insurance ends at the end of the semester in which you turn 30. What is possible then is explained in our guide on private health insurance for students over 30 (in German).
Does my health insurance cover me abroad during a leave of absence?
In the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers medically necessary services under the rules of the country you are in. Local co-payments may apply. If you stay enrolled in Germany and keep your residence here, you remain in compulsory student insurance.
What the statutory insurer does not pay is medically necessary repatriation to Germany. Private travel health insurance is usually taken out for this. It should match the length and destination of your stay and include repatriation. Standard travel insurance often covers only a limited number of days per trip, so for several months you need a long-term policy. In countries without an agreement, such as the USA, you should arrange private cover.
What happens to BAföG and child benefit during a leave of absence?
Whether you receive BAföG during the leave of absence, and how much, is decided by the BAföG office (Amt für Ausbildungsförderung) of your Studierendenwerk. Ask there before you take the leave. Your health insurance contribution does not change, because the basic contribution does not depend on receiving BAföG. A leave of absence can also play a role for child benefit, so inform the family benefits office (Familienkasse) about the leave and ask what applies to you.
If you take a leave because of illness, note this: students in compulsory insurance are not entitled to sickness benefit (Krankengeld). If you are pregnant, you can take a leave during maternity protection and parental leave. Ask your health insurer directly which benefits you are entitled to.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still have to pay health insurance during a leave of absence?
Yes, if you are in compulsory student insurance or privately insured. The insurance obligation generally also applies to students on leave, and a leave of absence does not interrupt your studies. Only family insured students pay no contribution, for as long as the conditions are met. Your health insurer can answer questions about your contribution.
Am I automatically insured during a leave of absence?
If you were compulsory insured, privately insured or family insured before, that cover continues, because you remain enrolled. You do not need to register again. Still tell your insurer that you are taking a leave, especially if you go abroad or work during the leave.
Does my health insurance pay abroad during a leave of absence?
In the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, the insurer pays for medically necessary services under the rules of the country you are in, using the EHIC. It does not pay for repatriation to Germany. Outside these countries you should take out private cover in addition. Private travel health insurance must match the duration and destination of your stay.
Can I receive BAföG during a leave of absence?
The BAföG office of your Studierendenwerk decides. Applications are made through BAföG Digital. Ask the office about the leave before the semester starts. It has no effect on your health insurance contribution, because the assessment base of 855 € applies regardless of BAföG.
How should you proceed now?
- Find out how you are insured at the moment: compulsory student insurance, private insurance after an exemption, or family insurance.
- Inform your health insurer before the leave starts, giving the reason and length, especially for a stay abroad or paid work.
- If you are family insured, check the income limit of 565 € or 603 € for a mini-job.
- For a stay abroad, take out private travel health insurance with repatriation cover and carry your EHIC.
- Ask the BAföG office and the family benefits office how the leave affects BAföG and child benefit.
If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the way to advice on the Academycon homepage.
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Related articles
- Health insurance for students: what you need to know (in German)
- Private health insurance in a dual study programme (in German)
- Private health insurance for international students (in German)
- Switching to private insurance as a student (in German)
- Health insurance as a student over 25: costs and options 2026 (in German)
- Leave of absence (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
