Health insurance

Citizens of EU member states, the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland

• You may have your statutory health insurance from your home country recognised in Germany by obtaining a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

• If you are insured privately in your home country, you must submit a confirmation of this to a German statutory health insurance company to have yourself exempted from the statutory health insurance requirement in Germany. An exemption is only possible if your private health insurance meets the minimum requirements of a German statutory health insurance.

Important: In any case, if your health insurance from your home country is not recognised, you must take out statutory or private health insurance in Germany!

Non-EU citizens

• Travel insurance is usually sufficient for entry into Germany (please be sure to check with the appropriate German embassy or consulate before entering the country). As soon as you arrive in Germany, you should take out German health insurance.
  
• If you are insured privately in your home country, you must submit a confirmation of this to a German statutory health insurance company to have yourself exempted from the statutory health insurance requirement in Germany. An exemption is only possible if your private health insurance meets the minimum requirements of a German statutory health insurance.

Turkish citizens

• Students from Turkey can use the T/A 11 or A/T 11 form issued by their Turkish health insurance.

• About 120€ per month (students under 30 years).
  
• For students over 30 years or in their 14th semester, the compulsory student health insurance ends. You will need to decide for yourself whether you want to continue with statutory health insurance (with a higher monthly contribution) or take out private insurance.

Advantages of a statutory health insurance

• If you are older than 29 and first starting your studies, than you will only be able to take out private health insurance.
• In most cases, those privately insured have to cover the costs of a doctor's visit, but will be reimbursed.
• If you start studying in Germany as privately insured, you are not allowed to change to a statutory health insurance for the entire duration of your studies.

  • Exception: You start a part-time job that is subject to social insurance contributions. Then you can be insured by law via the employer.

• The costs of a private health insurance are very individual. The premium depends on the services you choose, but also your health history and age play a role. Therefore, inform yourself thoroughly in advance!