Statutory health insurance for foreign students
What type of health insurance do you need in Germany as a student from abroad, and which one do we recommend?
The health insurance system in Germany
Everyone who stays in Germany for a longer period of time must have health insurance. This also applies to students, regardless of whether they come from abroad or not. If you would like to study in Germany, you must prove that you have health insurance when you enrol. In some cases, proof of health insurance from your home country is sufficient. In other cases, you must take out health insurance in Germany. You can find out from your university whether your home country health insurance is recognized.
If you need to take out health insurance in Germany, you can choose between statutory and private health insurance. The type of insurance you should choose for your studies in Germany depends on several factors, including your age, your marital status and the duration of your stay in Germany. Many students have a part-time job - this also influences the choice of the right type of insurance.
This all is bit hard to understand at first, especially for people who are not familiar with the German health insurance system. But don't worry, that's what our advice tool is for, which we'll come back to later. If you belong to the group of people for whom statutory health insurance ("Gesetzliche Krankenkasse" - GKV) is recommended, we would first like to explain the principle of GKV to you.
How does statutory health insurance (GKV) work?
In Germany, you can become a member of the “Krankenkasse” (public health insurance funds). You are then legally insured through this health insurance fund. The health insurance companies have the task of providing you with the standard medical care prescribed by law. This means that the GKV covers the costs for doctors and hospitals if you are ill and need treatment.
However, the GKV's responsibilities include not only providing care in the event of illness, but also covering the costs of health maintenance and preventive measures. And this is the requirement for authorities and universities to recognize your health insurance: As you will be staying in Germany for a longer period of time, you must have health insurance that not only covers medical emergencies, but also pays for the maintenance of your health and for preventive medical check-ups.
Which health insurance company is the right one for foreign students?
As a member of a GKV, you pay a monthly premium. The German health insurance companies offer a student tariff - as a student you therefore pay lower premiums than a “normal” member.
There are many different statutory health insurance companies in Germany, currently there are 94 (as of 01.01.2025). The monthly premiums charged by these health insurance companies differ only slightly from one another. The benefits (i.e. the things the health insurance company pays for) are also more or less the same. It is therefore not easy for foreign guests in particular to make a choice.
We recommend the Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) student tariff, which meets all the official requirements for obtaining a visa and is guaranteed to be recognized by all German universities.
Why do we recommend TK?
With over 10 million members, Techniker Krankenkasse is one of the largest health insurance companies in Germany. TK attaches great importance to ensuring that its members receive the right care in all life situations and provides advice on all questions relating to health and well-being at all times.
As a TK member, you will receive an insurance card (European Health Insurance Card, “EHIC”). You can use it to go to the doctor not only in Germany, but throughout Europe. In addition, you do not have to pay in advance, as is usual with private insurance. You simply present your insurance card to the doctor or hospital and the treatment is billed directly to TK.
TK is regularly ranked top by financial experts, e.g. in the category “Germany's best health insurance company for students” (Focus Money, 7/2024).
Another reason why we recommend TK: As mentioned above, the benefits provided by German health insurance companies are regulated by law. This means that every health insurance company must provide these benefits. However, TK provides more than it has to: it pays for many types of treatment that other health insurance companies do not reimburse.
Especially important nowadays: TK has an excellent online customer service. All important matters, such as a change of address, changing your account details, submitting documents or requesting insurance confirmations can be done conveniently and completely unbureaucratically via the TK website. Not forgetting the English-speaking 24/7 service hotline.
Techniker Krankenkasse & DR-WALTER
DR-WALTER is one of the largest German experts in the field of international health insurance and has been looking after the insurance needs of foreign visitors to Germany for over 60 years. Our employees are very familiar with the insurance needs of foreign students in Germany.
Therefore, in cooperation with the Techniker Krankenkasse, we have developed an insurance solution that allows foreign students in Germany to insure themselves quickly and easily in the least bureaucratic way possible: GERMAN STUDENT INSURANCE, consisting of a combination of private and statutory health insurance that adapts to your individual needs.
Use our consultation tool! To get the right insurance for your stay in Germany, you don't have to find out for yourself whether TK insures you. We will find out with our consultation tool.