Health insurance for students in Germany

You’ll need to speak with your department supervisor to get on public health insurance. The university sets up this process for most research positions. Sometimes, certain types of researchers are not eligible for public health insurance through their university and would need to sign up for expat health insurance or make enough passive income to be eligible for private health insurance.

If your university is not on the list of recognized universities, we advise you to check with the university if you have to be on public health insurance. If yes, you can continue the sign-up and the insurance provider will verify your eligibility. If not, expat health insurance can be an option for you.

If you’re required to do a full-time, six-month internship during your studies, this will not count as being a working student but instead, be considered as part of your studies. This will not impact on your visa or health insurance status because it is required for your degree program. Students who are studying in a program without a required internship and who wish to take a semester off to complete one will not be able to do so without violating their visa and health insurance restrictions.

The Immatrikulationsbescheinigung is your confirmation of enrollment for each semester. This is required when applying to working student positions, internships, visa (and visa renewals), health insurance, and more. You can find this on your online university portal, and it can be downloaded and printed when needed. If you need help, go to your university’s AStA, and they will help you.