Studying from anywhere is possible in distance learning, in hybrid models with a few on-site phases, or at an on-site university that offers many courses online. Which format suits you depends on how often you need to be on site and how you plan your studies, your job and your travel. Legally, what matters most is whether you are enrolled at a state or state-recognised university, because student health insurance depends on it.
The key points in brief
- Student health insurance requires enrolment at a state or state-recognised university. At private universities, and for dual and part-time degree courses, the position can be different.
- As a working student, you work at most 20 hours per week during the semester. In distance learning, each period is checked separately.
- A leave semester is generally treated as an interruption of your studies for child benefit. Whether benefit is paid depends on the reason for the leave.
- A semester abroad keeps your entitlement to child benefit if you are properly enrolled there and the subject is the same or comparable.
Which study formats allow studying from anywhere?
| Study format | Location | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Distance learning | Mostly at home or on the move | Examination venues, deadlines, whether the university is state-recognised |
| Hybrid study | Online plus fixed on-site phases | Dates of the block weeks, travel and accommodation |
| On-site study with online components | The university location remains compulsory | Attendance requirements, internships, lab hours |
| Part-time study | Depends on the university | Whether it affects your health insurance, to be clarified with your insurer |
Each university sets its own conditions. Ask the student advisory service and the examinations office which achievements are possible without attendance.
Can I work during distance learning?
Distance learning combines well with a job, because you plan your study time more freely. If you work as a working student alongside it, at most 20 hours per week during the semester keeps you exempt from health, long-term care and unemployment insurance. Pension insurance is always compulsory.
Distance learning usually has no fixed semester holidays. For this reason, the health insurer checks each period separately. There are exceptions to the 20-hour limit for work done mainly at weekends, in the evenings or at night, and for jobs limited to the semester holidays, in each case for at most 26 weeks per year. Several jobs are added together. Clarify the details with your insurer in advance. More on this is in the article on health insurance as a working student (in German).
Which jobs suit studying from anywhere?
Suitable options are tasks you can do with a laptop and internet access: online tutoring, writing, web development, customer service from home, or working-student positions with a remote component. An overview of all the routes is given in the article on part-time jobs during studies (in German). If you want to take on your own assignments, the article on your first freelance assignments (in German) gives you a starting point.
For employees, the minimum wage is €13.90 per hour in 2026 and €14.60 from 2027. A mini-job is possible up to €603 per month, and from 2027 up to €633. If you plan your own business, the legal basics are covered in the article on founding a business during your studies (in German).
Studying and travelling: what applies to leave semesters and stays abroad?
A leave of absence for a longer trip is generally treated as an interruption of your studies for child benefit, even if your enrolment continues. There are exceptions, for example for illness, maternity and exam preparation. Whether child benefit is paid for a leave semester therefore depends on the reason for the leave. Report it to the Familienkasse. BAföG is suspended during a leave semester and must be reapplied for afterwards.
A semester abroad is different: you remain eligible for child benefit if you are properly enrolled at the foreign university and the subject is the same or comparable. The article health insurance during a leave semester (in German) explains how insurance works during a leave semester. Cheap travel ideas are in travelling cheaply as a student (in German).
How does studying from anywhere affect health insurance?
The university is decisive. Student health insurance requires enrolment at a state or state-recognised university. At private universities, and for dual and part-time degree courses, the position can be different. If you study by distance learning at a private university, ask your health insurer how you are insured before you enrol.
When you stay outside Germany, protection abroad and repatriation also come into play. The article on the digital nomad lifestyle while studying (in German) explains what applies there.
What equipment do you need for studying from anywhere?
You need a reliable laptop, a stable internet connection and a backup in case the connection fails. A mobile hotspot helps if the Wi-Fi on site is weak. Back up your work regularly and use two-factor authentication for university accounts. Many universities provide software licences, so ask before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get child benefit during distance learning?
Distance learning at a university is recognised as a university education if it meets the requirements of the Familienkasse. In that case, as with any degree, child benefit can be paid until the 25th birthday, and enrolment serves as proof. The Familienkasse can tell you the exact requirements. Also inform them of any changes to your plans so that payments continue.
Can I work as a working student alongside distance learning?
Yes. What matters for exemption from insurance is working time of at most 20 hours per week during the semester, with all jobs added together. Pension contributions still apply. If your earnings stay at or below €603 per month, a mini-job is an alternative. It is best to ask your insurer in advance how they assess your working hours in distance learning.
Is a semester abroad the same as studying from anywhere?
Not quite. During a semester abroad, you are enrolled at a university abroad. When you study from anywhere, you stay enrolled at your own university and learn from a different place. Funding, child benefit and insurance differ, so check each separately.
Where is the best place to study from anywhere?
It depends on your subject and living situation. Practical components such as labs or clinics are hard to replicate online, while theoretical subjects are better suited. Check recognition, examination formats and supervision before you enrol, and ask about on-site phases and examination venues so you can plan your travel around them.
What to do now
- Ask the university about on-site dates and examination formats.
- Check whether the university is state-recognised or state-run.
- Clarify your status and your travel cover with your health insurer.
- Inform the Familienkasse and the BAföG office of any changes.
- If you want to talk through your situation, you will find the way to advice on the Academycon homepage (in German).
You can find reviews of us on ProvenExpert, Trustlocal and Trustindex. Academycon was mentioned, among other things, in a press release published by CNN Money Switzerland. A full list of mentions is on the press page (in German).
Related articles
- Remote jobs for students: opportunities, platforms and tips (in German)
- PKV during part-time study: status and contributions (in German)
- A master’s degree abroad: countries, applications and costs (in German)
- Health insurance for students: obligation, options, special cases (in German)
- Health insurance for distance learning (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
