Medical Insurance in Germany: Why and How To Get It

If you’re planning to study in Germany, you must have medical insurance. It’s been mandatory for both locals and visitors since 2007. But health insurance isn’t just a bureaucratic requirement – without it, accessing qualified medical care in Germany becomes more challenging and considerably more expensive. Consider a health insurance policy as an assurance of your safety. In this article, we guide you on how to select the right insurance policy and company, and highlight the factors to consider if you want to save money.

1. Types of insurance
2. Required Documents
3. Choice of company

Insurance Categories

After obtaining a temporary residence permit, you’re eligible to apply for student insurance. You can then select an insurance company that will handle your medical treatment throughout your studies. It generally takes three months to finalize the policy and submit the necessary documents to the university.

Students have a choice between two types of insurance – public and private.

Public health insurance covers treatment in public clinics, routine doctor appointments, basic dental care, caregiver services for people with disabilities, and even includes non-working family members. This insurance type is more commonly chosen by German citizens but is also available to foreigners.

State insurance companies offer discounted rates specifically for students. However, these are only available to students under the age of 30 who’ve studied in Germany for less than 14 semesters. Language students, Studienkolleg and Pre-masters students, postgraduate students, and visiting scholars aren’t eligible as they’re not officially considered students. They should look into private health insurance options.

Private insurance caters to all student categories. It covers the insured person, includes basic treatment, and can be tailored to the individual client’s needs. Consequently, the cost can vary significantly even within the same company, depending on the chosen services package and insurance type.

When considering private insurance, it’s crucial to discuss all contract clauses in detail and clarify which medical services might not be covered. Be sure to inquire if the insurance covers hospital transportation, hospital treatment, and accident assistance.

If you’re unsure about choosing between a private or public company, it’s a good idea to consult with several organizations to find the most favorable conditions. While switching from public to private insurance is relatively straightforward, reverting back to a public company can be challenging.

Required Documents

You can get both types of insurance by visiting a company’s office. Some organizations have the option of online registration. Students have to present their passport, an invitation from the university, a certificate of residence registration and a document proving that they have a bank account in Germany to the state company of their choice. The company will give you an insurance certificate (Versicherungsbescheinigung) which you will have to present to the university. You will receive a plastic policy card by post to visit doctors and clinics. It is advisable to keep it with you at all times.

In order to conclude a contract with a private insurance provider you will have to present your passport or other proof of identity, a certificate of registration at the place of residence and copies of these.

If you decide to take out a policy with a private company, you must present your certificate of exemption from statutory health insurance in Germany to the university. Anyone who has not previously been a client of a public insurance company can obtain such a certificate from any of them. To obtain it you will need a policy from a private company, an invitation from the university, proof of registration at the place of residence and your passport. You will need to go through the same procedure if you were previously registered with a public company and decided to switch to a private one. In this case, you will need to apply to the company with which you originally signed a contract.

Choice of company

Prices for public insurance start at about € 106 per month. It is possible to get a policy from one of the state insurance companies, also called health insurance companies (Krankenkasse) – the rates vary slightly. For example, the price of student health insurance from the Techniker Krankenkasse starts at €108.81, from DAK Gesundheit at €111.07.

The minimum prices in private companies are lower – from €33. The cost of the policy depends on the list of services covered, as well as the age and health status of the student. Each client who wants to take out insurance promises to offer a rate that is ideally suited to him, taking into account the peculiarities of his status, health and lifestyle. Mawista, Dr Walter and other private insurance companies will help those who wish to take out insurance.

You should not choose a company based only on the price. What matters is the reliability of the organization, the convenience of the chosen package of services for you and the level of comfort in using the policy. For example, you can conclude a contract with certain companies while you are still in your home country. You will be able to avoid unnecessary hassle with the registration of the travel policy and its subsequent re-registration.

For example, the policy from Mawista can be taken online. The certificate will come by email, and you can use it immediately to apply for a visa. Mawista is great for students who do not qualify for the state insurance benefit. The cost of the policy starts at €33.1 per month. The insurance can be taken out for up to 4 years, but if necessary the contract can be terminated at the end of each month by letter or e-mail. This makes the company stand out from its competitors.

The package includes inpatient and outpatient treatment, transportation to the hospital, payment for medications prescribed by the doctor, payment for delivery and treatment during pregnancy, and an insurance card. Clients can choose their own doctors. Dental treatment, medical care and other services can be added to the list for an additional fee.

An interesting offer can be found at Fintiba – the registration of insurance at the same time as the opening of a blocked account. Recall that a blocked account (Sperrkonto) is one of the ways to confirm the availability of funds for life support when entering a German university. The account holds the amount of money determined by the monthly norm you need to live in Germany.

Opening an account is often accompanied by paperwork. But Fintiba offers to do everything quickly and in an online format, which will save a lot of time. The appropriate medical company will also be automatically selected for you when you fill out the application on the website. Opening a blocked account will cost €89 one-time fee, €4,9 per month will have to be paid for account maintenance. Health insurance will cost from €111.07 per month. The difference with the cost of state insurance is not significant, but by taking out a policy in advance, you will save yourself time in the future and ensure a safe stay in the country in advance.

Making the Decision: Ready to Study in Germany?

If Germany is your dream destination for further studies, we’re here to assist! Whether you’re at the start of your journey, uncertain about the admission process, or curious about potential scholarships, Univibes is ready to guide you.

To begin, simply leave a request on our website. One of our knowledgeable managers will get in touch for a free consultation. This initial discussion will help assess your chances of admission, determine scholarship opportunities, and clarify the requirements that you’ll need to meet.

Choosing Univibes comes with an assurance of precision and timeliness. With our seasoned team at your disposal, you’ll never miss a deadline. Moreover, our expertise extends to document preparation, ensuring that your application materials are accurate, comprehensive, and professionally presented.

Embarking on an educational journey abroad can be daunting. Let Univibes transform this challenge into an exciting journey, and guide you step-by-step as you move closer to achieving your dream of studying in Germany. Your future starts here!