German Health Insurance for International Students : Cost, Top Providers, How to Apply

Health insurance is mandatory for all students in Germany, including international students. Without valid coverage, you cannot get admission in a university or obtain a German student visa, to ensure access to important healthcare throughout your studies.

If you are planning to study in Germany, you will require student health insurance in Germany, as mandated by the country’s law. With a significant influx of international students in recent years, Germany is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations worldwide, which houses approximately 405,000 students from all over the globe.

For international student health insurance Germany offers both public (for bachelor’s and masters’ students under the age of 30) and private (for PhD, preparatory courses or language students) insurance, along with travel insurance for visa purposes. 

To avail your student health insurance for Germany, you simply have to choose your insurance provider and policy provider, complete their application form, pay the insurance premium and retrieve your health insurance card, which you must carry during your medical appointments/screenings in Germany.

Health insurance for foreign students in Germany typically covers the following costs:

• Inpatient hospital stays, surgeries, and necessary medical procedures.
• Prescription medications
• Doctor consultations, specialists, and medical exams.
• Emergency care (including ambulance services and emergency room visits) and treatments
• Mental health treatments and counselling sessions
• Partial vision and dental care
• Preventative care such as vaccinations and health screenings

Types of Student Health Insurance in Germany

There are two types of insurance that are required for international students in Germany, which have separate purposes and goals.

1. For Visa Applications

While applying for your German student visa, you are most likely to encounter the types of student health insurance in Germany. In order to obtain a visa for Germany, you must be able to showcase that you have proof of travel-health insurance or incoming insurance during your visa appointment, which covers your medical needs during your travels and upon your arrival in Germany. Travel health insurance for a German student visa typically covers the first 3-6 months of your stay. In addition, you should provide confirmation about your public or private student health insurance in Germany

2. For University Enrolments

In addition to your travel health insurance for Germany student visa, you are also required to avail adequate health insurance coverage for the entire duration of your course before university enrollments. Students can avail both private and public insurance, provided that it aligns with the German university guidelines where the student is enrolled in.

How to Avail Health Insurance for Foreign Students In Germany?

To avail public student health insurance in Germany, you have to be under the age of thirty and should be studying for a bachelor’s or master’s program. You can apply for the insurance plan directly through your insurance provider upon or before your arrival in Germany, or can also choose to apply through popular intermediaries, who do most of the paperwork for you.

Public Health Insurance for Foreign Students In Germany – What does it cover?

Public health insurance for foreign students in Germany offers an affordable yet effective solution for students in need of medical services, and covers the following:

• In-hospital and outpatient treatments
• Prescription medications
• Surgeries
• General practitioner (GP) visits
• Cancer screenings
• Maternity benefits
• Basic dental care

In case a student wants to visit any registered GP, they need to set up an appointment with the doctor using Germany’s public healthcare system, better known as Kassenärzte. Though this is the cheapest health insurance in Germany for students, it does not traditionally cover advanced medication or treatments.

Public Health Insurance for Foreign Students in Germany – How Much Does It Cost?

As of January 2025, the average health insurance cost in Germany for international students can range from €140 to €150. However, the cost can vary greatly, depending on factors like age, whether or not the applicant has children, and the insurance provider chosen. Public health insurance for foreign students in Germany is generally reasonable, and students pay only 70% of the general contribution rate.

Below is a list of public insurance providers and their health insurance cost in Germany for international students:

Which is the Cheapest Health Insurance In Germany For Students?

Are you on the lookout for the cheapest health insurance in Germany for students? We’ve got you covered! Here is a list of the most affordable student insurance plans in Germany (as of 2024):

Private Health Insurance for Foreign Students in Germany – Eligibility, Coverage, and Pricing

Private health insurance for foreign students in Germany is only available for provisit students (who are above the age of 30), preparatory and language course students, post-graduate students and scholarship holders who do not have an employment contract. 

Though provisit private insurance plans can start for a low as €33 - €59 a month, private health insurance for foreign students in Germany is generally more expensive and more comprehensive in terms of coverage. However, availing the best private health insurance for students in Germany can cost you as dearly as €150 - €200 a month.

Private health insurance for foreign students in Germany covers all of the services covered by public insurance, including:

• GP visits
• In-hospital and outpatient treatments
• Prescription drugs
• Surgeries
• Cancer screening
• Maternity care
• Comprehensive dental care

In addition, private health insurance allows you to avail advanced medical benefits and treatments, depending upon an individual's needs. This is why many students with public health insurance in Germany also avail some part of private insurance plans, along with their existing policy.