Health Insurance
It is mandatory to have health insurance in Germany. All students must provide proof of statutory or private health insurance (including long-term care insurance). Without health insurance, enrolment is not possible. All public health insurance companies offer a student rate. Before entering Germany, students should choose a statutory health insurance and apply for membership there. The statutory health insurance company must accept students who are under 30 years of age and have a certificate of enrolment from a German university.
In Germany, there are two types of health insurances: Private health insurance and public health insurance. We recommend you to insure yourself in the student fare of a public health insurance. There are cheaper private health insurances, but they do not include the necessary insurance coverage and in some cases are not recognized by the local immigration authorities. Therefore, we strongly advise you not to exempt yourself from the compulsory public health insurance. Once you are insured in a private health insurance, you cannot change into a public health insurance during your studies.
Between the member countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland, there are EU regulations on cross-border health insurance coverage.
If you still have health insurance in one of these countries during your studies, you will receive health insurance benefits according to German regulations during your studies in Germany, however, if necessary, limited to acute illnesses and pain. That is called assistance in kind ("Sachleistungsaushilfe"). The best thing to do is to choose a German statutory health insurance company and get advice there.
If your habitual centre of interest is still in your country of origin (due to the connection to the parental home or due to financing by your parents) and your stay in Germany is therefore only to be regarded as temporary, the EHIC (this is the European insurance card of the health insurance company from your country of origin) is sufficient as proof of insurance. As a rule, you will be covered by family insurance through your parents. If you only have a national insurance card, you can apply for an EHIC at your health insurance company. In many countries, this is free of charge.
Important note: If Germany becomes your permanent, long-term place of residence and/or if you have income here through part-time jobs or paid internships, you must be insured with a German health insurance company. There are exceptions to this rule in only a few countries - please ask your health insurance provider.