A semester abroad in the UK takes place in a non-EU country, because the UK has left the European Union. The European Health Insurance Card covers only medically necessary treatment during a temporary stay in England and does not replace foreign health insurance. Depending on the length of stay, you need an ETA or a student visa. This guide shows what you should clarify regarding insurance, documents and costs.
In short
For a period of study of up to six months at a recognised institution, you generally need an ETA, which costs £20. For longer stays, a student visa is required, for which you must prove your means of subsistence. The required sum is, according to the British government, £1,529 a month in London and £1,171 a month outside London, in each case for at most nine months. From 30 November 2026 this requirement increases. The Immigration Health Surcharge is £776 per year for students.
Does my German health insurance stay in place?
Whether your German insurance continues depends on your enrolment at your home university and on the rules of your health insurer. The EHIC applies in England for medically necessary treatment during a temporary stay. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own rules. Private treatment and repatriation are not covered by the card. For a study stay, foreign health insurance is therefore recommended. Your health insurer should clarify the question in writing before you depart.
Which documents do I need for a semester abroad in the UK?
A student visa for a course longer than six months requires a course at a licensed university and proof of maintenance funds. For courses of up to six months, you usually enter as a visitor with an ETA. The exact amounts and deadlines are set out on the British government’s website.
- Admission to a licensed university for the student visa
- Proof of maintenance funds for at most nine months: £1,529 a month for courses in London, £1,171 a month for courses outside London. The page gives no date of validity
- Immigration Health Surcharge: £776 per year for students. Stays of up to six months are exempt
What does the semester cost?
Living costs in the UK differ considerably between London and other cities. No verified monthly amount for living costs is available. The maintenance amounts above are minimum evidence for the visa and not a cost estimate. Also plan for the visa fee, foreign health insurance, the flight and the semester fee of your home university. Tuition fees for visiting students are set by the host university, and no verified amount is available for them.
Worked example: A student visa for nine months in London requires proof of £13,761 (9 × £1,529). Outside London it is £10,539 (9 × £1,171). In addition comes the Immigration Health Surcharge of £776 for the year. The amounts are not a cost estimate for your everyday life, and the increase from 30 November 2026 is not yet included.
Frequently asked questions
Does my European Health Insurance Card apply in the UK?
Only to a limited extent. For medically necessary treatment during a temporary stay in England, a valid card applies. It does not cover private treatment or repatriation. For a study stay, you also need foreign health insurance.
Do I need a visa for a semester in the UK?
For courses of up to six months, you usually do not need a visa, but you do need an ETA. For longer study stays, a student visa is required. Which category applies to you is checked on the official website of the British government.
How should I proceed now?
- Clarify with your health insurer whether and how your insurance continues during the semester.
- Take out foreign health insurance that covers treatment and repatriation.
- Apply for the ETA or the student visa in good time. For a study stay of more than six months, you also pay the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Budget for the maintenance proof and living costs with a buffer, and note the increase from 30 November 2026.
Sources, each retrieved 20 October 2026:
- GOV.UK, Student visa: Money you need (£1,529 and £1,171 a month, up to 9 months; the page gives no date of validity) (source)
- Home Office, Explanatory Memorandum to HC 584 (3 September 2026), sections 5.43 and 6.3 (increase of the maintenance amount from 30 November 2026) (source)
- Home Office, Immigration Health Surcharge, version 10.0 of 30 September 2025 (£776 for students, exemption up to six months) (source)
- GOV.UK, Studying in the UK: Guidance for EU students (student visa from six months, short-term study visa for English courses) (source)
- GOV.UK, Visit the UK as a Standard Visitor: Visit to study (study of up to six months at recognised institutions) (source)
- GOV.UK, Electronic travel authorisation (ETA), fee £20 (source)
- GOV.UK, Healthcare for EU and EFTA citizens visiting the UK (EHIC in England, limits of cover) (source)
- § 5(1) no. 9 SGB V in its current version.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
Editorial team: Academycon
You can find the online check at check.academycon.de.
Last updated: October 2026. This guide provides general information and does not replace individual advice.
