Between the member countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland, there are EU regulations on cross-border health insurance coverage.
If you still have health insurance in one of these countries during your studies, you will receive health insurance benefits according to German regulations during your studies in Germany, however, if necessary, limited to acute illnesses and pain. That is called assistance in kind ("Sachleistungsaushilfe"). The best thing to do is to choose a German statutory health insurance company and get advice there.

If your habitual centre of interest is still in your country of origin (due to the connection to the parental home or due to financing by your parents) and your stay in Germany is therefore only to be regarded as temporary, the EHIC (this is the European insurance card of the health insurance company from your country of origin) is sufficient as proof of insurance. As a rule, you will be covered by family insurance through your parents. If you only have a national insurance card, you can apply for an EHIC at your health insurance company. In many countries, this is free of charge.

Important note: If Germany becomes your permanent, long-term place of residence and/or if you have income here through part-time jobs or paid internships, you must be insured with a German health insurance company. There are exceptions to this rule in only a few countries - please ask your health insurance provider.

There are social security agreements with some countries: If you have statutory health insurance in your home country, you can have this insurance coverage recognized by a statutory health insurance fund in Germany. This is also called assistance in kind ("Sachleistungsaushilfe"). It is best to clarify in your home country which documents are required for this and immediately contact a statutory health insurance fund of your choice in Germany in order to have the assistance in kind registered.

Your insurance may not cover all costs in Germany. Before entering Germany, find out exactly which benefits you are entitled to in Germany.

Private health insurance policies from other countries may also be recognized in Germany. You should clarify this with your insurance company.

If your private insurance is recognized, you will need a confirmation from a German statutory health insurance company for enrollment that you are exempt from compulsory insurance in the statutory health insurance. However, you will then no longer be able to switch to a statutory health insurance for the duration of your studies.

With which countries does Germany have a social security agreement?

Whoever takes part in a language course in preparation for their studies cannot get public health insurance. In this case, you must opt for private health insurance. Once the language course has been completed, students who are younger than 30 can change to the public health insurance for the duration of their studies.

Some health insurance companies offer special insurance to students at preparatory colleges at a reduced school student rate – find out more from the insurance company directly or contact the advisors for social welfare service for students.

The regulations for preparatory colleges vary. The best thing to do is to contact the preparatory college of the university where you would like to study later on. 

The Deutsche Studierendenwerk has made a general agreement with the UNION Versicherungsdienst GmbH for students who cannot be insured in public health insurances.

If you are staying for a longer period, the "VELA optimal" tariff is recommended. This offers health insurance including vaccinations and preventive medical checkups. The tariff "VELA basic" offers only limited services and, therefore, is more suitable for exchange students who are only staying one or two terms in Germany.

Please note:

The tariff "VELA Light" listed on the Vela website is not part of the general agreement of the Deutsche Studierendenwerk with UNION Versicherungsdienst. Hence, we would like to point out that we do not recommend this tariff.

Information on health insurance from your Studierendenwerk or directly from:

VELA – a brand of UNION Versicherungsdienst GmbH

Customer service: 0800 603-6039 (Germany)
Customer service: +49 5231 603-6390 (International)
E-Mail: info@vela.insure

Click here for the website

After your 30th birthday you can no longer get public health insurance at the favourable student rate. However, you can also take out voluntary health insurance with one of the public health funds. However, this only applies if you are already insured in a statutory health insurance fund or were previously insured in a statutory health insurance fund in an EU country or in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

Otherwise, private health insurance is the other option. This applies particularly to students who are already 30 when they begin studying in Germany. The Deutsche Studierendenwerk has made a general agreement with the UNION Versicherungsdienst GmbH for students who cannot get insurance with a public health fund.

If you are staying for a longer period, the "VELA optimal" tariff is recommended. This offers health insurance including vaccinations and preventive medical checkups. The tariff "VELA basic" offers only limited services and, therefore, is more suitable for exchange students who are only staying one or two terms in Germany.

Please note:

The tariff "VELA Light" listed on the Vela website is not part of the general agreement of the Deutsche Studierendenwerk with UNION Versicherungsdienst. Hence, we would like to point out that we do not recommend this tariff.

Information on health insurance from your Studierendenwerk or directly from:

VELA – a brand of UNION Versicherungsdienst GmbH

Customer service: 0800 603-6039 (Germany)
Customer service: +49 5231 603-6390 (International)
E-Mail: info@vela.insure

Click here for the website