Studying with a disability raises two practical questions: how you are insured, and what support the university offers. The answers come from different laws. This guide sorts them out and shows which steps are worth taking.
Short answer: As a student you are generally subject to compulsory statutory health insurance, unless you are insured otherwise. This obligation is linked to your status as a student, not to your state of health (section 5 subsection 1 no. 9 SGB V). A child with a disability can stay family insured without an age limit if the disability occurred before the age limits ended (section 10 subsection 2 no. 4 SGB V). The university and the rehabilitation agencies handle support during study (last updated October 2026).
The most important points
- Compulsory student insurance depends on your status as a student. A disability is not a condition for it.
- If a disability occurred before the age limits ended and the child cannot provide for itself, family insurance continues without an age limit (section 10 subsection 2 no. 4 SGB V).
- In private health insurance, the basic tariff can help, because insurers must offer it to certain groups of people (section 193 subsection 5 VVG).
- You apply for compensation for disadvantages (Nachteilsausgleich) at your university. The responsible offices decide on form and scope in each case.
- Benefits for participation in education (Leistungen zur Teilhabe an Bildung) belong to rehabilitation law in the Ninth Book of the Social Code (SGB IX).
- Proof of disability is needed for many applications. Find out early which documents your office requires.
How am I insured as a student with a disability?
Student health insurance is a compulsory insurance for students at state or recognised universities up to age 30 (section 5 subsection 1 no. 9 SGB V). It is linked to student status. Your state of health is not a condition for it. Anyone who is otherwise compulsorily or family insured is exempt (section 5 subsection 7 SGB V). Whether you should check an exemption or a change depends on your overall situation.
If you are family insured through your parents, the age limit for training is 25. An overview of age limits and income rules is in our guide Student Family Insurance 2026: Income Limits and Age.
When does family insurance continue without an age limit?
Children of members have a special rule. The age limits do not apply if a disability occurred before the age limits ended and the child therefore cannot provide for itself (section 10 subsection 2 no. 4 SGB V). The law thus looks at when the disability occurred and whether the person can support themselves. The health insurer checks both in each case.
For you this means: if you are family insured as a student and meet these conditions, the insurance can continue beyond the 25th birthday. Ask your health insurer to confirm this in writing before you rely on it.
Which support exists during study?
Compensation for disadvantages is not a special right. It is meant to offset disability-related disadvantages in study and examinations. How this works in practice, for example for the form of an exam, extra time or aids, is set by the university under its regulations. Our guide Barrierefreies Studium: Nachteilsausgleich, Beratung und Hilfen (in German) gives an overview of counselling and help.
In addition, the Ninth Book of the Social Code provides benefits for participation in education. The responsible rehabilitation agencies can include, depending on the case, the employment agency or the social assistance office. Responsibility depends on your situation, so it is worth seeking advice from the university before you apply (SGB IX, gesetze-im-internet.de).
Which proof do I need?
The documents required depend on your request. The table gives a guide. The statement of the responsible office is always binding.
| Purpose | Typical proof | Responsible office |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation for disadvantages in study | Proof of the disability and the specific disadvantages, for example a medical certificate | University (examination office or advice service for students with disabilities) |
| Family insurance of a child without an age limit | Proof of when the disability began and that the child cannot provide for itself | Health insurer of the member |
| Basic tariff in private health insurance | Application to the insurer with health details as set out in the contract terms | Private health insurer |
It is important to give health information truthfully. Incomplete details can have consequences in private contracts under the duty to disclose (section 19 VVG). Our guide on the basic and comfort tariffs in private insurance explains the background (in German).
Frequently asked questions
Can my disability prevent me from joining statutory insurance?
For compulsory student insurance, your state of health is not a condition. It is linked to your status as a student (section 5 subsection 1 no. 9 SGB V). Whether you are insured otherwise or an exemption applies is checked by your health insurer using your documents.
What applies in private health insurance?
Private insurers check health information before a contract is concluded. However, certain groups of people can claim a policy in the basic tariff. The insurer may refuse the application only in cases of fraudulent deception or intentional breach of the duty to disclose (section 193 subsection 5 VVG). Check first whether you belong to these groups.
Does compensation for disadvantages also apply to exams?
Compensation can affect examinations, for example through different exam conditions or more time. The university decides under its examination regulations. Apply as early as possible and explain the concrete effects on your studies.
Do I have to tell the university about my disability?
No one can force you to disclose it. If you want compensation for disadvantages, however, you must prove the disability and its effects. Make that decision with your request in mind.
Your next steps
- Clarify your insurance status in writing with your health insurer or insurer.
- Collect the proof of disability and details of the specific disadvantages in your studies.
- Get advice from the advice service for students with disabilities at your university before you apply.
- Submit the request for compensation for disadvantages early, before the next examinations.
- Check with the responsible office whether benefits for participation in education apply to you.
Related guides
- Student Family Insurance 2026: Income Limits and Age
- Barrierefreies Studium: Nachteilsausgleich, Beratung und Hilfen (in German)
- Family Insurance for Students Until 25: How Long You Are Covered (in German)
- Public or Private Health Insurance for International Students
Sources: Section 5 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de (retrieved October 2026, German); Section 10 SGB V, gesetze-im-internet.de (retrieved October 2026, German); Section 193 VVG, gesetze-im-internet.de (retrieved October 2026, German); Ninth Book of the Social Code (SGB IX), gesetze-im-internet.de (retrieved October 2026, German).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
