Compare health insurance in Germany
German health insurance is required before you enrol. Below are the statutory category, eligibility, and coverage for each option — confirm which applies to your situation with your university's international office if unsure.
Public
€140.00/mo
- Category
- statutory (public) health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung)
- Eligibility
- students enrolled at a German university, generally under 30 or in an early semester
- Covers
- the full statutory benefit catalogue — doctor visits, hospital treatment, prescriptions. Accepted by all universities for enrollment.
- Accepted by all universities for enrollment
- Full statutory benefit catalogue
- Digital enrolment
- Dental treatment coverage limited to basic care
Private
€115.00/mo
- Category
- private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung)
- Eligibility
- students over 30 or doctoral candidates, who are not eligible for statutory student rates
- Covers
- individually contracted benefits; specific coverage and tiers vary by provider and plan.
- Broad specialist access
- Coverage tiers vary by provider
- Not eligible for statutory student rates (over-30/PhD only)
- Switching back to public health insurance can be difficult
- Premiums increase with age
Expat / Newcomer
€72.00/mo
- Category
- private expat health insurance
- Eligibility
- intended for the visa application and your first months in Germany, before enrollment in a degree program
- Covers
- medical treatment sufficient for visa purposes. Not a substitute for statutory insurance once you're enrolled.
- Accepted for visa application purposes
- Can be upgraded to a different plan later
- Not a substitute for statutory insurance once enrolled
How the three options differ
Public. Public health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) is the default for students under 30 enrolled at a German university. It's a fixed, income-independent rate — about €140/month — and it's accepted by every university for enrollment. Coverage follows the full statutory benefit catalogue: doctor visits, hospital treatment, prescriptions.
Private. Private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung) applies to students over 30 or doctoral candidates, who don't qualify for the statutory student rate. Coverage is contracted individually with the provider, so tiers and pricing vary. Premiums can rise with age, and switching back to public insurance later isn't always straightforward.
Expat / Newcomer. Expat health insurance is a private plan built for the visa application and your first months in Germany, before you enroll in a degree program. It's accepted for visa purposes, but it isn't a substitute for statutory insurance — most students switch to public insurance once they're enrolled.
Confirm which category applies to you with your university's international office before choosing a provider.