Anyone wishing to enrol at a state or state-recognised university or university of applied sciences in Germany must provide proof of health insurance. This is because health insurance is compulsory in Germany. The most suitable option for you depends primarily on your existing insurance coverage, your age and your student status.
If you have public health insurance in the EU, the EEA, Switzerland or a country that has a social security agreement with Germany, your insurance coverage is often recognised. Contact a German public health insurance provider. It will check your status and report it to the university. Private supplementary insurance can help cover any gaps in benefits.
If your foreign health insurance coverage is not recognised, you will need to take out insurance in Germany. If you are regularly enrolled and under the age of 30, you can generally join public health insurance for students at favourable rates. Under certain conditions, however, you may also choose private health insurance.
For language courses, preparatory courses before starting university, exchange semesters, other temporary stays, and for students aged 30 or over, special private health insurance plans are generally the best solution.
