Health Insurance for Students from Other EU Countries

Anyone who wants to study at a university in Germany needs health insurance. The requirement for health insurance also applies to students from other EU countries (EU/EEA). Proof of health insurance is required for enrollment at a German university. Students from other EU countries should present their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This is usually sufficient.

Erasmus students
During their studies in Germany, Erasmus students remain legally insured with their statutory health insurance provider in their home country. German health insurance is not necessary because Erasmus students remain enrolled at their university in their home country and continue their studies there after their one- to two-semester stay.

To access health insurance coverage from abroad in Germany, students need the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Based on the social security agreements between Germany and other member countries of the European Union or the European Economic Area (EEA), the EHIC is valid in Germany. The EHIC can be found on the back of the insurance card or can be applied for with the health insurance provider in the home country.

With the EHIC, Erasmus students are entitled to medically necessary services at the same conditions and costs as persons insured under German statutory health insurance. However, due to the different healthcare systems in the EU member states, there may be differences in the coverage of costs for certain benefits.

Private student health insurance from EU/EEA countries are in some cases recognized in Germany. In these cases, students need confirmation that they are exempt from statutory health insurance for the duration of their studies in order to enroll at a German university. It is not possible for them to switch to statutory health insurance during their studies.

Full-time studies in Germany
Students from other EU/EEA countries who wish to enroll for full-time studies in Germany can also present the EHIC at enrollment, based on the social security agreements between the EU and EEA member states. It is a condition that the students are enrolled at a German university but continue to have their legal residence and center of life in their home country. The information with respect to the EHIC and Erasmus students also applies here.

Students from EU/EEA countries who receive German subsidies or intend to stay in Germany permanently must take out statutory health insurance in Germany. Students can then present the proof of German statutory health insurance to the university.

The EHIC is intended for shorter trips abroad and guarantees emergency medical care. There may be difficulties with respect to certain services that are not classified as emergency care – for example, preventive examinations during pregnancy.

In some cases, private student health insurance from EU/EEA countries are recognized in Germany. In these cases, students need confirmation that they are exempt from statutory health insurance for the duration of their studies in order to enroll at a German university. This confirmation must be issued by a German statutory health insurance fund.

For students from EU countries, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, the following applies: Those who have statutory health insurance in their home country do not have to take out additional insurance in Germany for an exchange semester or year. However, you must contact a German statutory health insurance fund and confirm that you are insured in your home country. The necessary documents are provided by the statutory health insurance in the home country.

For students from Turkey, Tunisia, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, and Montenegro, and Croatia, the following applies: Germany has entered into bilateral social security agreements with these countries. Therefore, if you are legally insured in one of these countries, you do not necessarily have to take out additional insurance in Germany. However, it may be difficult to find a German statutory health insurance fund that recognizes the foreign health insurance. In this case, it might make sense to take out German student health insurance.

Participants in preparatory language courses or preparatory schools (Studienkollegs) are not subject to health insurance as they are not considered students for the purposes of social insurance, even if enrollment in a university is required for participation in these courses. Persons in this group should take out private health insurance for temporary stays.