The TUM SEED Center does not arrange insurance registration for exchange students but provides additional financial support of EUR 145 per month to help cover insurance costs. Each student must register for health insurance on their own for the duration of their semester: Winter Semester (October–March), Summer Semester (April–September).
Information and guidance on registering for health insurance are provided by the TUM Global Office https://www.international.tum.de/en/global/exchangestudents/general-information-for-international-students/preparing-your-stay/#c6930
Typically, you do not need to pay the insurance fee during the registration process. Instead, the payment is due during the first month after your arrival in Germany.
General Information
In Germany, health insurance is mandatory for all residents, including international students.
There are two distinct systems of health insurance in Germany:
Statutory (Public) Health Insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung)
Private Health Insurance (Private Krankenversicherung)
These systems are separate and not freely interchangeable. Your eligibility depends on factors such as your age, employment status, and source of funding.
Get to know the official Information from TUM Global & Alumni Office: Preparing for your stay at TUM: To dos after admission
Statutory Health Insurance
In Germany, all students are obliged to have health insurance, i.e., one must prove sufficient health insurance coverage in order to be allowed to enroll at a German school of higher education. Statutory health insurance is the standard option for students under 30 years old and for most employees in Germany.
Key Features
If you fall ill, you are in good hands in Germany. Your health insurance provider covers the costs of all urgently needed medical treatments. The basic insurance cover provided by statutory health insurance providers includes the following services:
Outpatient care
Hospital stays
Prescribed medication
Basic dental treatment
Medically and medically necessary rehabilitation
Pregnancy and childbirth services
Most services are billed directly to the insurance provider. You typically do not pay out of pocket and do not get an invoice.
Common Insurance Providers and Rates (as of June 2025)*
Provider | Price for students under 30 | Notes |
---|---|---|
TK – Techniker Krankenkasse | €144.24 | English-language Support, Digital tools |
SBK | €148.09 | |
DAK-Gesundheit | ~ €142.10 | |
Barmer | €151.42 | Digital tools |
AOK Bayern | €146.29 | Local branch network |
More info:
Can I get German Statutory Health Insurance from abroad?
You can only apply for coverage with a statutory health insurer before you enter Germany. However, GKV coverage typically cannot legally begin until you are physically in Germany.
Most major providers allow online applications and issue a confirmation letter (Mitgliedsbescheinigung) that states you will be covered upon arrival in Germany. And yet, the insurance will only become active once you enter Germany and provide a local address.
When do I get the Health Insurance Card?
Once provider has your local address, they typically send your electronic health insurance card (Gesundheitskarte) in an letter envelope by post. This typically happens 1-2 weeks after you provide your local address. The card proves your coverage. You must bring this card to all doctor’s visits, pharmacies, and hospitals. This is, however, not the same for private health insurance. Usually they do not issue an insurance card like the GKV providers do.
Important: Please note that some statutory health insurance providers do not issue electronic insurance cards to exchange students, as your stay in Germany is limited. Please check with your statutory health insurance provider whether you will receive an insurance card, and if not, ask how you should proceed when visiting a doctor.
Students under 30. What if I want to get private health insurance? Exemption from Statutory Health Insurance
Students under 30 may opt out of statutory health insurance, for example to choose a cheaper private option. Before making your decision, you’ll need to think carefully about the consequences. This exemption is permanent for the duration of your studies. It must be applied for at the time of enrollment and is not reversible.
Once a person chooses to be exempted from statutory health insurance, they generally cannot revoke that exemption. As a result, privately insured individuals are unable to switch to the statutory health insurance scheme during their studies.
You can find a detailed guide on how to get exempted from Statutory Health Insurance at the end of this article.
Students aged 30 and older. What if I want to get private health insurance?
If you are 30 years old or older and wish to take out private health insurance, you do not need to apply for an exemption from statutory health insurance. This is because you are no longer eligible for the student rate and are not subject to mandatory student insurance. In other words, statutory health insurance is no longer an option for you as a student.
Private Health Insurance
Private health insurance is required for individuals who are not eligible to join Germany’s statutory (public) health insurance system.
This applies to international students, who:
Are not employed by a German institution,
Are over 30 years of age,
Are coming from outside the European Union (EU), Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland.
In these cases, access to statutory (public) insurance is not permitted under German law, and private insurance becomes the only available option.
Important: Private health insurance must meet the visa and residence permit requirements set by the German authorities. Not all private policies qualify.
Minimum Requirements for Private Insurance for International Students and Doctoral Candidates
Private health insurance policies must meet the following minimum standards to be accepted by the university and immigration authorities:
Issued by a recognized German insurer,
Cover outpatient and inpatient medical treatment,
Include coverage for pregnancy and childbirth, where applicable,
Provide a minimum insured sum of €30,000,
Cover the entire duration of stay in Germany.
Basic travel or tourist insurance does not meet these criteria and should not be used as a substitute for long-term health insurance.
A few examples of private health insurance (as of June 2025)*
Provider | Age Limit | Monthly Premium (approx.) |
---|---|---|
MAWISTA | Up to 40 | From €28 |
Advigon | Up to 35 / 75 | Daily rates, please visit website. |
Dr‑WALTER | - | From €129 |
HanseMerkur | Up to 35 | From €37.50 |
VELA | - | €60 - €78 (Flat Rate) |
DAAD Group Insurance | - | €100 (Flat Rate, see details below) |
*There are multiple options available. It is just a few examples. When choosing a private health insurance provider, please ensure it meets the minimum requirements (see p. 1.3.1).
More info:
- MAWISTA Student
- Advigon (Up to 35 years old) / Advigon (General Private Insurance)
- Dr-WALTER
- HanseMerkur
DAAD Group Insurance
Doctoral candidates funded or supervised via project agreements of the DAAD or one of its partner organisations are eligible for the DAAD group health insurance package. This includes health, accident, and personal liability coverage.
Premium: €100 / month (as of June 2025)
It is possible to add family members to the insurance plan
Highly recommended for scholarship holders
Suitable Tarif for doctoral candidates: 767/D
More information:
VELA Tariffs
The Deutsche Studierendenwerk, an association of Germany’s student services organizations, has established an agreement with UNION Versicherungsdienst GmbH for students and doctoral candidates who cannot acquire insurance through the statutory health providers.
For a long-term stay in Germany, the "VELA optimal" tariff is recommended. For more information, please visit the website of the Deutsche Studierendenwerk and VELA.
Voluntary Health Insurance
Voluntary public health insurance can be confusing. It is generally NOT available to incoming exchange students.
This insurance is intended for individuals who are not required to be insured with the statutory health insurance provider, but who wish to remain in or return to it. To qualify, you must have had public insurance coverage in Germany previously for at least 24 months uninterrupted. Due to this requirement, this option is NOT suitable for exchange students.
Further Information on eligibility can be found in § 9 SGB V (Sozialgesetzbuch V) [Available in the German language].
Exemption from the Statutory Health Insurance (for students under 30)
Rules and Deadlines
- The exemption is possible only at the begin of your studies (usually within 3 months of enrollment).
- Once exempted, you CANNOT switch back to statutory student insurance until your residence status changes.
- Private insurance must provide comparable coverage (inpatient, outpatient, prescriptions).
1. Choose an adequate Private Health Insurance Plan
Select a private health insurer that offers student plans. You’ll need a adequate private health insurance plan that meets minimum standards. The insurance must cover: hospitalization, outpatient care, and prescription drugs. More information on what constitutes adequate private health insurance can be found here: Landesamt für Einwanderung. Berlin. INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS ON ADEQUATE HEALTH INSURANCE
2. Contact a Statutory Health Insurance Provider (GKV) to apply for exemption
Although you’ll use private insurance, only a public insurer (e.g., TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK) can issue the official exemption.
Submit your application for exemption from compulsory health insurance and attach the proof of private health insurance. Inform the health insurance provider that you will be studying at TUM as mentioned in the official information from TUM and your insurance status will automatically be forwarded to the university. Some provides might ask for additional documents, incl. your university admission letter or enrollment certificate.
Further links:
- List of health insurance funds on the website of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds (GKV-Spitzenverband) [Available in the German language]
- TK Exemption from the statutory health insurance Info-Page
3. Keep Records
Keep copies of all documents for future reference, especially for residence permit applications
Further information
TUM Global & Alumni Office: Preparing for your stay at TUM: To dos after admission
Deutsches Studierendenwerk: Information for international students | Health Insurance
Studierendenwek München Oberbayern: International students in Munich | Insurances
r/germany Wiki on Reddit: Health insurance in Germany
Kommentar
Saltanat Kuntuarova sagt:
17. Juni 2025wieso "doctoral students"? es geht um die Masterstudenten für Austauschsemester an der TUM