Health Insurance for International Students in Germany in 2025

Germany has become a top choice for Indian students looking to study abroad. With around 4,40,000 international students studying in the country, Germany has become one of the most desired study abroad destinations. There are several benefits of studying in Germany for those pursuing higher education. From affordable tuition fees to world-class universities and great research facilities, studying in Germany is an attractive option for many. One important requirement for international students is health insurance. The German government mandates that all international students must have health insurance to enroll in one of its top universities. Students can choose between public health insurance, which is budget-friendly, or private insurance, which tends to be a bit expensive. Additionally, top universities in Germany recommend that international students meet specific health insurance standards. If a student's current insurance is not recognized in Germany, they will need to secure a suitable health insurance plan upon arrival. To find out everything you need to know about health insurance for international students in Germany, including its validity, application process, and costs, be sure to read along.

This Story also Contains

1. Is Health Insurance for International Students in Germany Necessary?
2. Types of Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany
3. How Can International Students Get Health Insurance?
4. Application Guide to Get Health Insurance for International Students in Germany
5. Which is Better: Public or Private Health Insurance in Germany?
6. How Much Does Health Insurance for Students Cost?
7. Health Insurance for International Students in Germany Coverage

Is Health Insurance for International Students in Germany Necessary?

Yes, health insurance for foreign students in Germany is a compulsory requirement. All international students must have access to necessary health insurance. This compulsion is for everyone including German citizens, residents, and students.

The reasons why health insurance for international students in Germany is necessary are stated below for Indian student’s reference:

• German Legal Obligation: It is one of the mandatory requirements for international students who aspire to study in Germany to have health insurance before coming to the country. One cannot get admission into the university or even get a German student visa without health insurance.

• High Medical Costs Coverage: Health insurance for international students in Germany protects them against high medical costs in the nation which again helps them in moderate budgeting of living costs in Germany. Medical treatment in Germany can be expensive.

• Access to German Healthcare: Having student health insurance in Germany helps students have access to a number of medical services, medicines, hospitals, doctors, emergency care, routine checkups, and many more.

• Top Medical Facilities: German medical services are comprised of an excellent healthcare system and one can benefit from these services and professional healthcare help as they are covered in their insurance.

Types of Health Insurance for Foreigners in Germany

As it is compulsory to have German health insurance for Indian students, there are two different options available for them. One must check whether they are eligible for which type of health insurance. Mainly, there are two types of health insurance for international students in Germany named ‘Public Health Insurance' and 'Private Health Insurance'.

Public Health Insurance for International Students in Germany

• Public health insurance in Germany for international students is owned and regulated by the government.

• It provides a comprehensive coverage of medical facilities which includes doctor appointments, hospital stays, medical prescriptions, emergency care, and many more.

• One gets a health insurance card when they are insured by public health insurance for international students in Germany. They can show this card to the medical officer at the hospital and the medical bill is directly generated to the health insurance.

Private Health Insurance for International Students in Germany

• It is an alternative to public health insurance for international students in Germany.

• Generally, this type of private health insurance is available for high-income holders (who earn more than EUR 69,300), professionals, and others.

• Students have an option for selecting this type of private insurance as well but are mostly insured through a public healthcare system only.

• It covers a wide range of healthcare facilities including hospital treatments, doctor appointments, dentist appointments, emergency care, medical prescriptions, and much more.

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• Part-Time Jobs in Germany

• Average Salary in Germany

• Scholarships in Germany for Indian Students

How Can International Students Get Health Insurance?

One can get health insurance for international students in Germany by applying to the relevant healthcare service provider. There is a proper application process to apply for the selected (public or private health care system) as per their eligibility.

Public: All students below the age of 30 are are admitted in a full-time regular course of study in Germany are generally eligible to apply for public health insurance.

Private: Generally, all students above 30 years of age pursuing a course of study in Germany are eligible for private health insurance. Moreover, there is a chance that international students are not eligible for public healthcare, so they can select this type of insurance.

Application Guide to Get Health Insurance for International Students in Germany

The application process is quite simple and depends on the eligibility of international students as well as their individual choices. The main application considerations for obtaining health insurance for foreign students in Germany include the following:

• Check your eligibility: One must check whether they are eligible for public healthcare or private healthcare in Germany as per their age or other restrictions.

• Select Healthcare provider: After knowing that one is eligible for which kind of German health insurance, one can now choose after exploring different health insurance, their benefits, costs, packages, etc in Germany.

• Application Formalities: On selecting the healthcare provider, one must fill out a relevant application form for the healthcare service with correct information and submit it along with all supporting documentation required.

• Get Insurance Card Certification: On health insurance for international students in Germany application approval, one receives an insurance card from the healthcare provider which can be shown to the hospitals or clinics for medical services and can avail the relevant and applicable benefits.

Which is Better: Public or Private Health Insurance in Germany?

Proof of health insurance for international students in Germany is required prior to applying for a German student visa. They can demonstrate their healthcare certificate from either public or private insurance (or insurance from their home country, if applicable). Hence, before the beginning of their intended course of study in Germany, all students must have a healthcare plan.

So, one can choose after evaluating and exploring the benefits, coverages, eligibility, costs, and many more. They must choose a healthcare plan that aligns with their future planning.

Public Health Insurance for Foreign Students in Germany Highlights

Private Health Insurance for International Students in Germany Highlights

How Much Does Health Insurance for Students Cost?

The main concern for international students is how much of an insurance premium which they will need to pay for the selected health insurance for international students in Germany. The healthcare cost varies based on factors like age, family status, and the chosen health insurance provider for international students in Germany.

So, the premium ranges from EUR 110 TO EUR 150 per month depending upon the type of insurance plan under public healthcare. On the other hand, the health insurance cost in Germany for international students from a private provider starts from EUR 35 to EUR 200 and it can increase as well depending upon the insurance coverage.

Health Insurance for International Students in Germany Coverage

Health insurance for foreign students in Germany covers a lot of medical facilities. Healthcare insurance coverage varies depending on the type of German insurance (public or private) and plan benefits. However, some of the common health insurance for international students in Germany coverage of medical facilities include the following:

• Medical Appointments

• Medical Prescriptions

• Consultations

• Treatments

• Medical exams

• Hospital Stays

• Medical procedures

• Surgeries

• Preventive care such as vaccinations

• Emergency care such as ambulance services, and emergency room visits

• Dental care and mental therapies

Also Read:

• Student Life In Germany

• Top Engineering Colleges in Germany

• How to Study in Germany for Free