Health insurance for students: Your guide to the best cover during your studies
27.05.25
11
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
Your studies are beginning, and with them comes the question of the right health insurance. Health insurance is mandatory for students – but which option is best for you? This article looks at your options and helps you make an informed decision.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Students in Germany are required to have health insurance; family insurance is often available free of charge until the age of 25, after which the affordable student health insurance scheme (KVdS) applies until the age of 30, or private health insurance (PKV).
The contributions to KVdS are made up of a base amount (EUR 87.38 from winter semester 2024/25), the health insurance fund-specific supplementary contribution, and the long-term care insurance contribution (e.g. EUR 35.91 for childless people aged 23 and over from 2025).
An exemption from the statutory health insurance requirement in favour of private health insurance is possible at the start of your studies, but it applies for the entire duration of your studies and should be carefully considered.
Evaluate options for student health insurance coverage
Students in Germany are subject to compulsory health insurance. There are primarily three ways to obtain cover. Free family insurance is often possible up to the age of 25. After that, contributory student health insurance (KVdS) applies. Alternatively, private health insurance (PKV) can be chosen. The choice depends on age, income and previous insurance status. Statutory health insurance offers a solid basic level of cover here. This initial guidance helps reduce complexity and find the right option.
Understand family insurance as a free basic option
Family insurance is the first choice for many students. It allows co-insurance through their parents without paying contributions. This option generally applies until the age of 25 is reached. An important requirement is that your own monthly total income does not exceed certain limits. For 2025, this threshold is EUR 535, or EUR 556 for a mini-job. BAföG is not counted as income in this context. Co-insurance through a spouse insured under the statutory scheme is also possible without any age limit. Check your eligibility for family insurance carefully. Exceeding the income threshold leads to compulsory insurance in the KVdS.
Calculate contributions to student health insurance (KVdS)
If family insurance ends, KVdS becomes relevant. The contribution rate for this is regulated uniformly nationwide. From the winter semester 2024/2025, the basic health insurance contribution is 87.38 euros per month. In addition, there is the fund-specific additional contribution. Techniker Krankenkasse, for example, charges an additional contribution of 20.95 euros (as of January 2025). The long-term care insurance contribution is also added. For students without children aged 23 and over, this amounts to 35.91 euros per month (as of January 2025). The assessment basis is the BAföG standard requirement rate, currently 855 euros. A comparison of the additional contributions may be worthwhile. This affordable insurance option usually applies until the age of 30.
Important aspects of KVdS contributions:
Basic health insurance contribution: 87.38 euros (from WS 2024/2025).
Fund-specific additional contribution: Varies depending on the health insurer, e.g. 20.95 euros with TK.
Long-term care insurance (without children, from age 23): 35.91 euros (from 01.01.2025).
Long-term care insurance (with 1 child or under 23): 30.78 euros (from 01.01.2025).
Total costs can therefore quickly exceed 140 euros per month.
The exact costs of your health insurance therefore depend on several factors. It is important to know the age limits and exceptions.
Consider private health insurance (PKV) as an alternative
Students can be exempted from the statutory health insurance obligation. This application must be submitted within three months of enrolment. The exemption then applies for the entire duration of the course. Return to the GKV is usually no longer possible during the course of study. PKV often offers special student rates. These can be particularly attractive for children of civil servants due to entitlement to supplementary aid. For students over 30, PKV can also be a cheaper option than voluntary GKV. Carefully weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of private health insurance. The decision in favour of PKV should be carefully considered.
Take special cases and age limits into account
The student health insurance usually ends when you turn 30. However, there are exceptions that allow an extension. These include, for example, the birth of a child and caring for them, or obtaining university entrance qualification via a second-chance education route. The maximum extension usually lasts until the age of 37. For students over 30 who can no longer be insured under KVdS, there is the option of voluntary statutory health insurance. The contribution for this depends on income and is often higher. The minimum assessment basis is 1248.33 euros (as of 2025). Anyone working alongside their studies (working student) must observe the 20-hour rule. If you work more than 20 hours per week during the lecture period, the favourable student insurance usually ends. A health insurance for mini-jobs has its own rules. These details are crucial for correct insurance cover.
Rules for working students and interns:
Working-student privilege: Up to 20 hours/week of work during the lecture period usually has no impact on KVdS.
Exception: During semester breaks or for night/weekend work, more hours can be worked (26-week rule).
Mandatory internships: Often exempt from insurance, regardless of pay and working hours.
Voluntary internships: Different rules may apply here, especially in relation to pay.
Specific insurance conditions also apply to a semester abroad. Clarify these in good time with your health insurance provider.
Understanding compulsory health insurance and exemption options
In Germany, there is a general compulsory health insurance requirement, including for students. At the start of your studies, you must present proof of insurance. As mentioned above, under certain conditions you can be exempted from compulsory insurance under the statutory health insurance scheme (GKV). This is relevant if you choose private health insurance. The application for exemption must be submitted to a statutory health insurance fund within three months of the start of the insurance obligation. This decision is binding for the entire duration of your studies. There are situations in which no exemption is necessary. This applies, for example, if you only begin your studies after the age of 30 or start a doctoral programme after completing a degree. Find out about your options in detail. Advice can help provide clarity here.
When you finish your studies and enter working life, the conditions for health insurance change. Anyone who takes up employment subject to social insurance contributions will usually become subject to mandatory insurance in the statutory health insurance scheme again. This also applies if you were privately insured during your studies. An exception applies if your salary is above the annual earnings threshold from the outset. In 2023, this was €66,600 and it increases regularly. Self-employed people often remain in private health insurance. For the transition, voluntary statutory insurance may be an option. Plan this transition early. This will help you avoid gaps in cover and unexpected costs.
Expert tip: Use personalised advice for optimal protection
Choosing the right health insurance for students is an important decision with long-term implications. The rules are varied and depend on your personal circumstances. Our expert tip: take advantage of personal advice. At nextsure, we analyse your specific situation and find tailored insurance solutions. We take into account not only your current stage of study, but also your plans for the future. An early and well-informed decision will save you time and money later on. We help you keep track of premiums, benefits and deadlines. So you can focus fully on your studies. The complexity of student health insurance often requires an individual assessment.
Request an individual risk analysis now: have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
Statista offers statistics on the structure of insured persons in private health insurance (PKV) in Germany, broken down by social status.
vdek (Association of Substitute Health Insurance Funds) provides information on health insurance for students, including membership and contribution regulations.
Wikipedia provides an article on student health insurance in Germany.
The Federal Ministry of Health provides information on statutory health insurance.
Gesetze im Internet provides the legal text of Section 199a SGB V, which regulates contributions for students in health insurance.
Study in Germany (DAAD) provides information on health insurance requirements for international students in Germany.
The German Bundestag provides search results on student health insurance via its document information portal.
The Ärzteblatt publishes an article on which health insurance is suitable for students.
FAQ
Do I have to pay health insurance contributions as a student if I receive BAföG?
Yes, if you are no longer covered by family insurance, you must pay contributions. However, BAföG recipients can apply for a subsidy towards health and long-term care insurance, which was 122 euros from the winter semester 22/23.
What income limit applies to family insurance for student jobs?
For family insurance, the total monthly income in 2025 must not exceed 556 euros for a mini job. For other income, the limit is 535 euros.
What is the 20-hour rule for working students?
Working students may not work more than 20 hours per week during term time in order to remain eligible for the favourable student health insurance. Exceptions apply during lecture-free periods or for night/weekend work under certain conditions.
As a student, can I switch back from private to statutory health insurance?
If, at the start of your studies, you have been exempted from compulsory statutory health insurance (GKV) and switched to private health insurance (PKV), a switch back to statutory health insurance (GKV) is generally no longer possible during your studies. It is usually only possible again once you take up employment subject to compulsory insurance after graduating.
How much does health insurance cost for students over 30?
Students over 30 can usually no longer be insured under the KVdS. They can then take out voluntary statutory health insurance, where the premium depends on income (minimum contribution often over 200 euros), or take out private health insurance.
Do I need special health insurance for a semester abroad?
Within the EU/EEA, you are often basically covered by your German statutory health insurance (with the EHIC card). For countries outside the EU or for more comprehensive cover, overseas travel health insurance is strongly recommended. Clarify the details with your insurer.
