Why it is mandatory
German law requires everyone living in Germany to have health insurance. Your university checks the insurer’s certificate at enrolment and will not enrol you without it. The visa application also asks for proof of insurance.
Public student insurance
Students enrolled at a state-recognised university can usually join statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) at the student rate, normally until age 30 or the 14th subject semester.
The student rate uses a fixed base; insurers differ only in their add-on contribution. TK, for example, charges per month in 2026:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Health insurance base | €87.38 |
| TK add-on | €23.00 |
| Long-term care insurance (under 23) | €30.78 |
| Long-term care insurance (23+, no children) | €35.91 |
| Total | about €141.16 / €146.29 |
AOK, Barmer, hkk, DAK and others are similar, usually within a few euros.
Special cases
- Between entry and enrolment: the visa application usually needs travel / incoming insurance covering your first weeks; switch to public insurance once enrolled.
- Language-course and Studienkolleg students: usually not eligible for the student rate; private insurance is common until you enrol at university.
- Over 30: the student rate ends; you need voluntary statutory or private insurance, which costs considerably more.
Your university’s international office knows its own requirements best — ask them before choosing.