Health insurance is mandatory in Germany — no enrolment and no residence permit without it. Which insurance you need depends on your status, and getting this wrong is one of the most common (and most fixable) problems we see.
The three types
- Public student insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung): the standard for enrolled degree students under 30 — roughly €120–140/month (as of 2026), full coverage, accepted everywhere.
- Incoming/travel insurance: for the first weeks, for language-course and Studienkolleg students, and for the visa period before enrolment — cheap, but limited coverage; it is a bridge, not a solution.
- Private insurance: relevant for students over 30, PhD candidates, or special cases — compare carefully; switching back to public later can be difficult.
What the embassy and the university want
- Visa file: proof of coverage for the entry period (incoming insurance is usually accepted for the start).
- Enrolment: universities require proof of public insurance or a formal exemption confirmation.
- Residence permit: the immigration office checks that coverage matches your actual status — mismatches lead to painful letters.
In our roadmap, insurance is step 5 — matched to your university, age and program so both the embassy and the enrolment office accept it the first time.
OFFICIAL SOURCES FOR FURTHER READING
All information without guarantee; amounts and rules can change. Universities and authorities alone decide on applications. No legal advice within the meaning of the German RDG.