Many students wonder whether they should take out private health insurance. In Germany, the route for students usually runs through an exemption from compulsory statutory insurance. This guide explains when such a step is an option, what it means and which calculation to make before you decide.
Short answer: Students who would be compulsorily insured under § 5 para. 1 no. 9 SGB V can apply for an exemption and take out other cover, usually private. The application must be made within three months of the start of the obligation, and the exemption cannot be revoked. A private contribution can only be determined from a concrete offer. Last updated: October 2026.
The most important points at a glance
- For students, the route into private health insurance usually runs through an exemption under § 8 SGB V.
- The deadline is three months from the start of compulsory insurance. A later application does not take effect retroactively to the start.
- The exemption cannot be revoked and only takes effect with proof of other cover in case of illness.
- The age at the start of your studies determines how long compulsory student insurance applies under the general rule.
- A comparison needs a concrete tariff offer, as estimates are not enough.
When does private insurance come into question during your studies?
Private insurance is mainly an option for students when an exemption is available. That is the case when enrolment places you under compulsory insurance. The German guide Befreiung von der GKV-Pflicht im Studium explains the conditions in detail (in German).
The decision depends on several factors: your health, your age at the start, the tariff and your life plans. Whether the step pays off can only be checked on the basis of a concrete offer and a comparison over several years.
Why your age at the start of studies matters
The age limit of 30 determines how long compulsory student insurance lasts under the general rule (§ 5 para. 1 no. 9 SGB V). As an illustration, assume: a student starting at 20 has roughly ten years until the age limit, while one starting at 25 has about five. The exemption is the same decision in both cases, but the period it covers differs considerably. The starting age therefore belongs in every calculation.
What does the statutory side cost for comparison?
The statutory side can be calculated. For students who do not live with their parents, the assessment base is 855 euros per month (§ 236 SGB V). The contribution rate for students is 10.22 percent (§ 245 SGB V). The fund’s additional contribution comes on top.
| Component | Amount 2026 | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance without additional contribution | 87.38 euros per month | 10.22 percent of 855 euros, GKV-Spitzenverband, as of 1 Jan 2026 |
| Average additional contribution | about 24.80 euros per month | 2.9 percent of 855 euros, assumption, BMG, as of 3 Sep 2026 |
| Long-term care from age 23, no children | 35.91 euros per month | GKV-Spitzenverband, as of 1 Jan 2026 |
| Total under the assumption | 148.09 euros per month | Assumption: average additional contribution, no children, aged 23 or older |
There is no fixed private figure that applies to every student. A comparison therefore needs concrete offers with a description of the benefits. Placeholder calculations say little.
When does private insurance suit you during your studies, and when less so?
| Aspect | Can suit you | Less suitable |
|---|---|---|
| Time period | You plan cover over many years | The period is short and the benefit unclear |
| Tariff | The benefits are described in writing and fit your needs | Benefits are unclear or not checked |
| Deadline | The application is planned within three months | The deadline has already passed |
| Proof | Other cover in case of illness can be documented | Proof is missing or uncertain |
If you want to compare both systems, the German guide PKV oder GKV als Student: Was lohnt sich mehr? gives an overview (in German). Do not limit the comparison to the first monthly figure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch straight to private insurance?
For students who are compulsorily insured under § 5 para. 1 no. 9 SGB V, the route generally runs through an exemption under § 8 SGB V. You submit the application to your fund within three months of the start of the obligation.
Does private insurance still make sense if I start at 25?
That cannot be answered in general terms. The starting age determines how long compulsory student insurance applies under the general rule, and the tariff determines the contribution. A concrete offer with clear terms is the basis for any decision.
Do I still pay contributions to the fund after an exemption?
After an effective exemption, the obligation to pay contributions for student insurance ends. If the exemption takes effect only from the calendar month after the application, contributions remain payable until then (§ 8 para. 2 SGB V). Clarify the exact date with your fund before you change your payments.
Which statutory benefits do I receive once I am exempt?
Once the exemption is effective, you are no longer covered by the statutory fund. Your costs of illness are then covered by the other cover you have proven. The scope of that cover should therefore be checked in advance.
Can I leave private insurance later?
The exemption itself cannot be revoked. Whether and when a return to statutory insurance is possible depends on the circumstances. Clarify this with your fund in advance and ask for the answer in writing if you can.
Is private insurance always more expensive during studies?
There is no simple yes or no. The statutory side can be calculated with the figures in this guide, while the private side depends on the specific offer. Compare total contributions over several years, not just the monthly figure.
When is a personal consultation worthwhile?
When deadline, proof and tariff all come together, a personal assessment helps. How a consultation with us works is described on How we work.
What to do now
- Find the date of your enrolment and calculate the three-month deadline.
- Obtain concrete tariff offers and compare benefits and total contributions over several years.
- Clarify proof of other cover in case of illness before you decide.
- Work out the statutory side with the steps in the German guide Krankenversicherung als Student (in German).
- Make the decision deliberately, because it cannot be revoked, and submit the application on time.
Related guides
- Private Health Insurance for Working Students in Germany
- Public or Private Health Insurance for International Students
- Exemption From Compulsory Insurance for Students
Sources: § 8 SGB V, Exemption from compulsory insurance (gesetze-im-internet.de, in German, accessed October 2026), § 5 SGB V, Compulsory insurance (gesetze-im-internet.de, in German, accessed October 2026), GKV-Spitzenverband, Fact sheet on reference figures for contribution law (as of 1 Jan 2026, in German), Federal Ministry of Health, Contributions to statutory health insurance (as of 3 Sep 2026, in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
