Insurances

 

Nobody likes to expect the worst. But things can happen – you might get sick, for instance. Consequently, all students at enrolment must confirm that they hold sufficient health insurance coverage. If you accidentally damage someone else’s property, liability insurance is a good idea, too.


Health insurance
Students from EU and EEC member states can present their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from their home country as confirmation of health insurance coverage. With your EHIC card, you can obtain treatment from any doctor in Germany in case you encounter acute health problems. If you wish to get preventative check-ups in Germany, your statutory health insurance provider in your home country will have to issue you the S1 form. With this form, you can sign up with a German statutory health insurance provider. Please note that if you work part-time during your study visit in Germany, you must be insured by a German health insurance provider.

 

Students who do not have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are normally obliged to obtain health insurance in Germany. Please keep in mind that there are statutory and private health insurance providers. Before signing up for coverage, we recommend comparing not only the cost of the insurance premiums, but also which treatments and services are covered. You should also know that statutory providers settle payment matters directly with the doctors, while private insurers often require patients to pay for treatment in advance and then reimburse them later upon request.

Statutory health insurance companies in Germany are obliged to offer students up to the age of 30 reduced rates. This type of health insurance for students costs from around €125 per month with a statutory health insurance provider. Students who turn 30 during their studies in Germany must change their insurance plan at the end of the semester in which they turn 30.

Information of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) on health insurance


Liability insurance
Accidents happen, and before you know it, you are sent a whopping bill for damages caused to persons or their property, e.g. after a traffic accident with your bike, when helping someone move, or if you break something in a store.
To avoid this financial risk, most Germans voluntarily sign up for private liability insurance. In the case of an insurance claim, the insurer determines which party is liable and covers the cost of damages. There are liability insurance plans which cost just 20 to 25 euros for six months.