Questions & Answers

Do you want to have detailed information before applying for your German health insurance policy for students? In this section, we collected a number of frequently asked questions about GERMAN STUDENT INSURANCE. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact us.

• General questions

  Here you will find general questions about GERMAN STUDENT INSURANCE.

  • Do I have to conclude private or public health insurance in Germany?

    GERMAN STUDENT INSURANCE offers insurance combinations which are tailored to your needs, depending on your age and your purpose of stay.

    Language students, interns and doctoral students

    Students who have not started their subject-related studies, yet, cannot take out public health insurance. The private health insurance EDUCARE24 provides comprehensive cover for language students, interns and doctoral students. EDUCARE24 can be taken out in various insurance combinations (S, M, L, XL), so it is tailored to your individual needs. We recommend EDUCARE24 M, our comprehensive cover. EDUCARE24 M consists of travel health insurance, accident insurance, private liability insurance and deportation costs insurance. EDUCARE24 L additionally includes a wider range of dental treatments. EDUCARE24 XL is the right solution for persons who also want to make use of benefits within the framework of public programs up to a value of € 500 per year of insurance. EDUCARE24 S is limited to health insurance.

    Students up to age 29

    You will be comprehensively covered by the student insurance of Techniker Krankenkasse during your studies. If you arrive in Germany before the start of your semester, DR-WALTER will provide you with a free additional cover.

    Students from the age of 30

    Students from the age of 30 cannot take out public student health insurance. We recommend our comprehensive cover EDUCARE24 XL for the complete duration of your stay. EDUCARE24 XL consists of private health insurance, accident insurance, private liability insurance and deportation costs insurance.

    Our online consulting tool will quickly and easily present you the ideal insurance solution for your needs.

  • Do I have to conclude public health insurance as a student?

    Students up to age 29 need to have public health insurance during their subject-related studies. We recommend Techniker Krankenkasse (TK).

    If you have not started your subject-related studies yet, you cannot take out public student health insurance. This is also not possible for students from the age of 30. In these cases the private health insurance EDUCARE24 is the ideal insurance solution.

  • Which insurance do I need to take out for my doctoral studies?

    You cannot take out public student health insurance as a doctoral student. We recommend you conclude the private health insurance EDUCARE24 XL for your doctoral studies.

  • Is my current health insurance not sufficient for my studies in Germany?

    For students from non-European countries the answer is "no". If you come from a non-European country, taking out a German health insurance is required by law. Without a German health insurance you will not get a visa and cannot enroll at a German university.

    For students from Europe the requirements are not that strict. However, we recommend you seek advice from your health insurance provider.

  • How do I have to insure myself as a student in Germany if I come from an EU or EEA state, Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey or Tunisia?

    Students from EU/EEA countries or Switzerland

    If you come from an EU or EEA state or Switzerland and you are only staying in Germany temporarily for your studies, you are already insured through your home country by the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and you cannot become a member of a public health insurance scheme in Germany. However, if you work in Germany (e.g. doing a mini-job) or move your permanent residence here, you have to take out insurance in Germany. Our consulting tool will help you with this.

    Students from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey or Tunisia

    If you come from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey or Tunisia and are only staying in Germany temporarily for your studies, you are already insured via your home country and you cannot conclude an insurance by a German public health insurance company. Please contact a German public health insurance company (e. g. Techniker Krankenkasse in your area (German)), to confirm your insurance in your home country. You will receive the necessary documents from your health insurance company in your home country. However, if you are working (e.g. doing a mini-job) or moving your permanent residence to Germany, you need to take out a German insurance. Our consulting tool will help you to find the right insurance.

  • Which health insurance is officially approved?

    Health insurances for foreign students need to fulfill many requirements. Some of the specifications which have to be observed are the regulations of the European Commission, the “Freizügigkeitsverordnung/EG” and Germany’s right of residence. GERMAN STUDENT INSURANCE meets these regulations. The insurance sum of this health insurance is unlimited, so it is higher than the required €30,000.

  • Is my family insured, too?

    Your family will be covered by public health insurance, too, if you have public health insurance during your studies.

    In case you cannot take out public health insurance due to your age or because you take part in preparatory courses, you can take out EDUCARE24 for yourself and your family. Please note that all members of your family need to choose the same tariff.

    Our online consulting tool will show you which EDUCARE24 tariff (S, M, L or XL) is the right choice for you and your family. Just get started.

  • Who cannot be insured as a family?

    Family members who are fully self-employed, privately insured, exempt from public health insurance as civil servants or persons who are subject to public health insurance themselves cannot be insured in the family insurance.

  • What is meant by "exemption from compulsory health insurance"?

    You can get an exemption from the requirement to take out public health insurance and conclude private health insurance at the official beginning of your subject-related studies. However, taking out private health insurance only makes sense for students who cannot conclude public student health insurance, e.g. if you are more than 29 years old. In these cases, we recommend EDUCARE24 XL insurance protection.

    Please note that the following applies after the official beginning of your studies: Once you have taken out private health insurance, you cannot switch to public student health insurance anymore.

  • What is a "subject-related semester"?

    A subject-related semester is a semester in which you studied a specific subject, e.g. medicine.

• Questions about coronavirus – I have not yet left the country

  Here you will find the most frequently asked questions about the coronavirus.

  • I cannot/do not want to start my journey because of the coronavirus. Is a cancellation of the insurance possible?

    Language students, interns, doctoral students and students from the age of 30

    Cancellation of EDUCARE24 insurance is possible at any time before the beginning of the insurance. If you wish to change the travel period due to the current wave of illness, a postponement is possible. Please contact us in this case.

    Students up to age 29

    Cancellation of GERMAN STUDENT INSURANCE or a postponement of the insurance period is possible. Please get in contact with us.

  • I have booked flights in my destination country that I cannot cancel. Does my GERMAN STUDENT INSURANCE cover the expenses?

    No, travel expenses are not covered by the health insurance. We recommend: Contact your airline to clarify whether a goodwill arrangement (rebooking or cancellation) is possible.

  • I am enrolled at a German university, but I only do online courses in my home country. Do I need to insure myself in Germany?

    If you are enrolled at a German university, but you are not in Germany and only attend courses virtually, you do not have to be insuranced in Germany. Once you have arrived Germany, please contact us .

• Questions about coronavirus - I have already left the country

  Here you will find the most frequently asked questions about the coronavirus.

  • Does the insurance cover an infection with the coronavirus?

    Fever, cough, signs of corona infection? You can rest assured.

    Language students, interns, doctoral students and students from the age of 30

    With GERMAN STUDENT INSURANCE you don’t need to fear high medical costs. The medical treatment of the corona virus infection is covered. In addition, EDUCARE24 includes coverage up to 90 days for medical expenses should you be forced to stay abroad for a longer period of time due to the infection.

    Students up to age 29

    The medical treatment of the corona virus infection is insured by Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). Exclusively for TK-insured persons there is a "corona virus infection hotline" of the TK-ÄrzteZentrum: 040-46 06 - 61 91 60 (Monday to Friday from 8 - 20 o'clock) and the "TK-Doc"-App" (German). You find further information as well as a video on how to distinguish between corona, cold and flu on the website of TK (German).

  • Are quarantine costs covered by the foreign health insurance?

    Language students, interns, doctoral students and students from the age of 30

    Quarantine costs are not covered by the foreign health insurance. Quarantine is often prescribed as a precautionary measure. This is not a medically necessary treatment. If you fall ill with the coronavirus during quarantine, the treatment is of course insured.

    Students up to age 29

    Quarantine costs are not covered by Techniker Krankenkasse. Quarantine is often prescribed as a precautionary measure. This is not a medically necessary treatment. If you fall ill with the coronavirus during quarantine, the treatment is of course insured.

  • Will GERMAN STUDENT INSURANCE cover the costs of a corona test?

    The costs of a corona test will be covered, provided that you can prove close contact to a infected person or you are showing related symptoms and it is ordered by a doctor. However, if the test is only a preventive measure, e.g. to meet a required entry or exit regulation or for a health certificate for school, university or employer etc., you must bear the costs yourself.

  • Does insurance cover continue to exist even if the Foreign Office has issued a travel warning?

    Language students, interns, doctoral students and students from the age of 30

    Yes, EDUCARE24's international health insurance protects you both when traveling in countries for which the German Foreign Office has issued a travel warning and in case of illness related to a pandemic.

    Students up to age 29

    Yes, there is still insurance cover in Germany by Techniker Krankenkasse (TK).

  • Is insurance cover still available even if corona is now a pandemic?

    Language students, interns, doctoral students and students from the age of 30

    Yes, EDUCARE24 offers insurance cover for pandemics as well as for travel in countries for which a travel warning has been issued by the Federal Foreign Office.

    Students up to age 29

    Yes, Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) also offers you insurance cover for pandemics in Germany and most European countries. A list of the European countries in which your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is valid can be found here (German).

  • My government recommends that I return to my home country. Are travel expenses covered by the insurance?

    No, travel costs are not covered by the foreign health insurance. We recommend: Contact your travel company to clarify whether, for example, the airline will offer you a goodwill arrangement (free rebooking or cancelation of your trip).

  • I am returning to my home country prematurely due to the coronavirus. Does GERMAN STUDENT INSURANCE still provide protection?

    Language students, interns, doctoral students and students from the age of 30

    In principle, insurance cover also exists for a certain period of time in case of interruption of the stay abroad. Due to the development of COVID-19, you cannot estimate how long your stay in your home country will last. Therefore, we recommend that you cancel your EDUCARE24 insurance immediately after entering your home country. Please inform us about this. An e-mail is sufficient. We will then calculate your exact premium depending on the number of days you stayed abroad. You will only pay the premiums that have accrued until the receipt of your notification.

    Tip: Please contact your last insurance company in your home country to reactivate your previous insurance immediately

    When you resume your travel plans, you are welcome to conclude a new EDUCARE24 insurance policy.

    Students up to age 29

    The legal student insurance by Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) offers you coverage in Germany and most European countries. If your home country is not one of the EU- and EEA countries (German), please activate your last insurance in your home country immediately.

    A cancellation of Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) is only possible if you return permanently to your home country. Please contact us in this case. If you return to your home country only temporarily, your membership with TK will continue.

  • If I get infected on the way home, are my costs covered in my home country?

    Upon arrival to your home country, both EDUCARE24 and Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) insurance coverage ends. Please contact your last insurance company in your home country to reactivate it immediately.

  • Would you like more information about the coronavirus?

    The Robert Koch Institut provides you with important information about the current coronavirus development: https://www.rki.de/DE/Content/InfAZ/N/Neuartiges_Coronavirus/nCoV.html (machine translated from German).

• Questions concerning the online consulting tool

  Here you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the online consulting tool of GERMAN STUDENT INSURANCE.

  • What specific information do I need to provide during the online consultation?

    During the online consultation you will be asked questions about your person (name, address, etc.) and about your planned studies in Germany (name of university, date of arrival, etc.). However, you do not have to know all the answers to these questions, you can leave questions unanswered. For example, if you do not know the exact date of your arrival, yet, simply choose "I don't know" and submit these details later.

  • Why am I asked about the type of stay?

    Depending on the purpose of your stay (e.g. language student or student), you will need a different type of health insurance for your stay in Germany. There are two types of health insurance in Germany: public and private health insurance.

    As a student up to the age of 30 you can insure yourself with a public health insurance from the beginning of the first semester at a university or university of applied sciences.

    If you come to Germany as a foreign language student, doctoral student or intern, you must take out private health insurance.

  • Why am I being asked about my age?

    Your age influences the type of health insurance (private or public) and the contribution to long-term care insurance. In a public student health insurance, you can only be insured up to the 30th birthday.

    If you have no children as a student and are 23 years or older, you need to pay a higher contribution to the long-term care insurance.

  • Why is the TK insurance cheaper for persons under 23 years of age than for persons aged 23 or older?

    Students aged 23 and over who do not have a child pay a supplement in the long-term care insurance, so that the TK insurance is then more expensive.

  • Why can I only conclude EDUCARE24 if I am 30 years or older?

    Students who are enrolled at state or state-recognized universities are subject to public insurance until their 30th birthday. From the 30th birthday, students can no longer insure themselves in the public student health insurance. In these cases, we recommend EDUCARE24 XL, our comprehensive cover consisting of travel health insurance, accident insurance, personal liability insurance and deportation costs insurance.

  • Why am I asked if I have children?

    You are asked if you have children, as this has an impact on the monthly contribution. Persons without children over 23 pay a supplement to the long-term care insurance.

  • Why is the TK insurance with children cheaper than without children?

    Since 01.01.2005 a small public for childless persons aged 23 years and over has been introduced in the statutory long-term care insurance.

• Questions about the contract

  Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the contract.

  • Why do I have to sign the contract online?

    You have to sign online as the registration with a public health insurance company such as TK is only valid with a signature. In Germany, electronic signatures have been legally recognized since 2001. They are accepted as handwritten signatures on paper documents.

  • How do I sign the contract online?

    By clicking on the checkbox you confirm that your data is correct and that you have read the consumer information. Afterwards you sign with your mouse, trackpad or touch screen. You can then apply for insurance.

• Questions regarding existing contracts

  Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about existing contracts.

  • To pick up my visa I need an insurance confirmation with my travel period. How do I get the document?

    If you need an insurance confirmation with the travel period in order to pick up your visa at the embassy or consulate, please write an e-mail stating your date of entry and the planned date of departure to info@german-student-insurance.com. We will immediately send you the document by e-mail.

  • When does my insurance start?

    Language students, intern and doctoral students

    The insurance cover of the private health insurance EDUCARE24 (S, M, L or XL) applies as soon as you arrive in Germany.

    Students up to age 29

    From the beginning of your subject-related studies you will be insured by Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). If you arrive in Germany before the start of your studies at the university, DR-WALTER will provide you with a free additional cover from your arrival until the start of your studies.

    Students from age 30

    The insurance cover of the private health insurance EDUCARE24 XL applies as soon as you arrive in Germany.

  • How do I pay my premiums?

    The premiums will be debited from your German bank account.

  • Is it possible to have a mini-job parallel to studying?

    Yes, it is possible to have a mini-job (monthly income of up to €450.00) parallel to your studies.

  • When does insurance end?

    Language students, intern and doctoral students

    Insurance coverage of the private insurance EDUCARE24 (S, M, L or XL) expires automatically on the agreed date.

    Students up to age 29

    TK public health insurance cover applies until you finish your studies or until the semester in which you reach the age of 30.

    Students from age 30

    Insurance coverage of the private insurance EDUCARE24 XL expires automatically on the agreed date.

• Praise, questions, criticism or suggestions?

  Your opinion is important to us!

  • Do you feel in good hands with DR-WALTER?

    We would be pleased if you would take the time to write a review on Google, Facebook or Trustpilot. In this way you will not only help us to further improve our service, but also help other customers who are looking for the right insurance.

  • In which areas can we still improve?

    If you still have unresolved issues or are not satisfied with our service, you can of course contact the relevant specialist department or the complaints management department (sandra.karnstedt-panienka(at)dr-walter.com). You can also reach us via our Contact form. For further information on questions regarding complaint handling, please see our legal notice.