Private Health Insurance Options for Students in Germany
Health insurance is compulsory for all students enrolled at a German university. The options available depend on your age, nationality, prior insurance history, and degree type. Choosing the wrong type of coverage can cause complications with university enrolment, your visa, and your future insurance status after graduation.
Key age threshold: The subsidised student GKV rate ends at age 25 (or after 14 semesters). Once you turn 25, you pay the full voluntary GKV contribution — at which point private student insurance often becomes significantly cheaper for healthy individuals.
Option 1: Student GKV — The Standard Route
The most common option for German and EU students under 25 is the subsidised student GKV rate — approximately €120–€140/month including nursing care insurance (2026). This applies automatically if you are:
- Under 25 years old
- Enrolled in your first degree
- Within your first 14 semesters
- Earning below approximately €505/month from part-time work
Option 2: Private Student Health Insurance (International Plans)
For international students from outside the EU, or those who don't qualify for the GKV student rate, specialised private student health insurance plans are the most popular solution. These are purpose-built, visa-compliant plans — not full PKV — designed specifically for students.
Option 3: Voluntary GKV After Age 25
Once you turn 25, student GKV ends. You must switch to voluntary GKV at approximately €220–€260/month. At this cost, private student plans (or full PKV if self-employed) often become more attractive for healthy students.
Option 4: Full PKV as a Student
Full PKV is available to students who are self-employed alongside their studies, are civil servants' dependants, or are over 30 on a second degree. Full PKV offers the best coverage but the highest premiums — suitable only when personal circumstances make it specifically advantageous.
Visa Requirements for International Students
Your German student visa typically requires proof of insurance meeting minimum standards set by the Ausländerbehörde. Many budget travel insurance plans do not meet these requirements. Always verify your plan is explicitly visa-compliant before applying. Mawista, Care Concept, Envivas, and the GKV student rate are all generally accepted; basic travel insurance is not.
The Anwartschaft: Preserving PKV Rights
If you previously held PKV (e.g. as a child on a civil servant parent's policy) and need a cheaper student plan temporarily, ask your PKV insurer about an Anwartschaft. This dormant insurance option preserves your age rating and health status at low monthly cost, allowing you to return to full PKV terms after graduation without a new health assessment.