Health insurance choice
The German health care system is divided into a statutory and a private health insurance. These differ in terms of benefits and contributions.
Table of content
- When can I only take out private health insurance?
- When can I choose between statutory health insurance and private health insurance?
- How do I get an exemption from statutory health insurance?
- Working part-time alongside your studies?
- How do I apply for health insurance?
- How to identify good health insurance cover:
When can I only take out private health insurance?
If you belong to one of the groups listed below, you will only be able to obtain insurance from a private health insurance provider (you will not be eligible for statutory health insurance).
- Students at private business schools (not officially recognised universities)
- Students at language schools
- Students at university preparatory colleges (institutions known in Germany as “Studienkollegs”)
- Students at private universities/business schools
- Trainees
- “work & travel” participants
When choosing a provider, it is important to consider what the insurance covers, what it costs and how you can apply for the policy (e.g. online or in a branch).
When can I choose between statutory health insurance and private health insurance?
If you belong to one of the groups listed below, you will be able to choose between statutory and private health insurance.
- University students (bachelor’s/master’s degrees)
- Postdocs
- Guest scientists
To register at a German university, you will need to provide proof of health insurance. In Germany, you are required to have health insurance cover in place for your entire stay. You can choose between statutory health insurance and private health insurance.
Exception: If you are over 30 years of age, you will only be able to take out private health insurance. During the first three months of your course, you can switch from statutory to private health insurance. After this point, your decision will be binding for the remainder of your studies and you will not be able to switch between statutory and private health insurance. However, you can still switch providers within the health insurance systems (e.g. by moving from one private insurance provider to another).
How do I get an exemption from statutory health insurance?
1. Statutory health insurance while studying at a university
If you want to take out statutory insurance, the statutory health insurance provider will give you a “Bescheinigung zur Vorlage bei der Einschreibung an einer Hochschule” (a certificate that you present when you register at a university). You should submit this document to your university when you register. Your monthly premium will be between €115 and €130.
2. Private health insurance while studying at a university
If you want to take out private insurance, you will need to apply for an exemption from statutory health insurance. You can apply to any statutory German health insurance provider (e.g. AOK, DAK or Barmer) to obtain this exemption. You must apply within three months of starting your course. Private health insurance usually costs between €30 and €40 per month.
To get an exemption from the requirement to obtain statutory insurance, you will need to contact a statutory health insurance provider directly. The statutory health insurance providers often have representatives working from offices at German universities. Even if you visit an office in person, you must apply for an exemption in writing. Please take your valid private health insurance certificate with you, as you will need this to obtain the exemption. German universities will only accept your private health insurance certificate in conjunction with a statutory insurance exemption certificate.
Tip: If you take out private health insurance, you’ll save around €60 a month. If you wish to do this, you must obtain an exemption from statutory health insurance during the first three months of your course.
Working part-time alongside your studies?
If you decide to work part-time alongside your studies, the money you earn will affect whether or not you can choose between private and statutory health insurance. If your earnings exceed €538 a month, you will be required to pay social security contributions and your employer will automatically arrange statutory health insurance cover. In such cases, you will no longer be able to opt for private health insurance. If your monthly earnings from your part-time job are €538 or less, your health insurance options remain unaffected and you will be able to choose between private and statutory health insurance.
How do I apply for health insurance?
Depending on the health insurance provider you choose, they may only be able to provide advice in German or, to a limited extent, in English. Most private health insurance providers give you the option of applying for insurance in various languages. Their customer service teams will also speak a number of languages.
If you decide to apply for private health insurance, remember the following points:
- You will need to apply for an exemption from statutory health insurance within the first three months of your university course
- German universities will only accept your private health insurance cover in conjunction with an exemption certificate
- You can obtain an exemption from any of Germany’s statutory health insurance providers, such as AOK, DAK or Barmer
- You must submit your exemption application in writing. To apply for an exemption, you will need to submit documents relating to your private health insurance
- Tip: You can only take out private insurance if you earn up to €450 per month. If you earn more than €450, you are not eligible to take out private insurance and you must obtain statutory insurance instead.
How to identify good health insurance cover:
Services
- Medical care by email, by phone and in person
- Out-patient (mouseover: Treatment of the patient without admission to a medical facility) treatment by a doctor of your choice
- In-patient (mouseover: Admission of the patient to a medical facility with an overnight stay) treatment in a hospital of your choice, including any necessary surgery
- Transport to the nearest suitable hospital
- Medication prescribed by a doctor
- Medical aids, such as walking aids following an accident
- Pain-relieving dental treatment
- Transfer costs to home country and funeral expenses
- Additional liability and accident insurance if required
- Pregnancy from the insurance start date
- Vaccination
Customer service
- Simple online application (brief application procedure with no questions on pre-existing conditions)
- Advice via email or phone in various languages, including Chinese
- Documents sent via email or accessed via website
- Fast payment of medical bills
- Cover provided outside Germany for trips abroad during studies: other EU countries, other Schengen countries and the UK
- Insurance also offered for family members in Germany to support studies
- Simple payment process: direct debits from a German bank account or international credit card
Monthly costs
- Statutory health insurance: approx. €100.00–€110.00
- Private health insurance: approx. €30.00–€50.00
Insurance cover
- Private health insurance: You will be reimbursed for the costs of treatment for illnesses and accidents, and for the costs of medication prescribed by a doctor. Generally, private health insurance covers more additional services and provides a higher amount of cover for treatment costs than statutory health insurance.
- Statutory health insurance: You will be reimbursed for the costs of treatment for illnesses and accidents, and for the costs of medication prescribed by a doctor. The reimbursed treatment costs are fixed and are generally a lot lower than with private health insurance. Statutory health insurers generally reimburse the costs of fewer additional services than private health insurers. For example, statutory insurance does not include liability cover; this is important because it protects the person who caused the damage from financial risk in the event of a claim.
Cost reimbursement types
- Private health insurance: Private health insurers reimburse costs in different ways, depending on their terms and conditions of insurance.
- Statutory health insurance: Statutory health insurers will settle the bill with your doctor or hospital directly.
Cost reimbursement procedure
- Private health insurance: Private health insurers reimburse the insured person. The insured person sends the bill to the insurance provider for reimbursement. The relevant amount is then paid into the insured person’s account and the insured person pays the doctor.
- Statutory health insurance: Statutory health insurers will settle the bill with your doctor or hospital directly.
Persons who cannot obtain insurance
- Private health insurance: Persons over 55 years of age cannot obtain private insurance.
- Statutory health insurance: Students studying at language schools, university preparatory colleges or private universities and students who are over 30 years of age cannot obtain statutory insurance.
Limitations on insurance cover
- Private health insurance: The costs of treatment for pre-existing conditions will not be reimbursed.
- Statutory health insurance: The costs of treatment for pre-existing conditions can be reimbursed.
- Insurance only covers the costs of treatment provided by registered doctors. Often, the costs of treatment by persons such as natural health professionals and alternative medicine practitioners are not reimbursed. We recommend that you always arrange an appointment with a general practitioner first.
