Understanding Health Insurance in Germany for International Students
In Germany, health insurance is a legal requirement for all international students. You’ll need proof of valid coverage to enroll at the University of Marburg and to apply for your visa or residence permit. Most students opt for public health insurance (GKV), which offers affordable coverage for essential medical services. Private health insurance (PKV) may be necessary for students over 30 or in other specific situations. EU students can often rely on their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), but it’s important to confirm its validity in Germany. For detailed guidance on choosing the right option and enrolling, visit the resources below.
Travel insurance is usually required for the visa application process. However, a travel insurance does not offer sufficient health insurance coverage during your studies.
The local immigration office in Marburg takes insurance very seriously. For international students under the age of 30 who apply for a residence permit, usually only a statutory health insurance will be accepted. Students who have to take out private insurance have to make sure that the coverage is sufficient.
Please be aware that the insurance obligation for students starts with your enrollment. In case your entry to Germany is delayed because of visa issues or any other reasons, you still have to pay the health insurance contribution retroactively from the start of your enrollment. Under certain circumstances the insurance is able to waive the contributions until the date of entry if this is at least 6 months after the start of studies. Please contact your insurance about this before your entry.
Germany holds so-called social insurance agreements with several states. Among these states are the member states of the EU and EEA, Macedonia and Switzerland. If you hold citizenship of one of these countries and are insured in your home country, you usually do not need to take our health insurance in Germany. You still need to follow the process for enrollment and contact a German statutory health insurance (GKV) for a digital notification for your enrollment.
Please note that you will need to take out a German health insurance in case you take on a part-time job or paid internship during your studies. For further information please ask your health insurance provider.
If this applies to you and you are new in Germany, you usually do not have access to statutory health insurance and should take out a high-performance private health insurance policy.
While the insurance benefits covered by statutory insurances are strongly regulated, the coverage of private insurance providers varies significantly. Private insurance policies often exclude health services for pregnancies or treatment for mental illnesses, for instance. Being insured with a private company also means that you will first have to pay for medical services and pharmaceuticals and will be reimbursed by your insurance carrier afterwards.
Please also consider that throughout your life the expected insurance costs might vary according to different aspects like the insurance period, your health condition or income. Make sure to understand your insurance policy before you make your decision.
Please be aware that once you decided for an insurance you cannot switch freely between insurances (especially between private and statutory health insurance) for the period of your studies.
Non-Mandatory Insurance to Keep in Mind
In addition to health insurance, there are other types of coverage that international students in Germany may want to consider. Liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) can be useful, as it covers potential costs if you accidentally cause damage to someone’s property or injure another person. Household or personal property insurance (Hausratversicherung) might be worth exploring to protect your belongings against theft, fire, or water damage in your accommodation. Travel insurance could also be helpful if you plan to explore other countries in Europe during your stay. While these insurances are not mandatory, they can offer added convenience and protection during your time in Germany.
