Compare TK, AOK, Barmer and DAK. Get a personalised recommendation based on your city, enrolment preferences, and English-support needs.
Required from Day 1 of enrollment
Health insurance is required for enrollment and for your student visa
Most German universities require statutory GKV insurance for enrollment. In some cases, private health insurance (PKV) may be accepted, confirm with your university's Immatrikulationsamt if you have a qualifying PKV policy. For the visa itself, the German Missions in India accept either statutory or private health insurance. TK, AOK, Barmer, and DAK are all statutory (gesetzlich) insurers.
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Full Comparison
Health insurance component only, as of January 2026. Mandatory long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) adds ~€30–36/month. Verify exact rate with provider.
Feature
TK
AOK
Barmer
DAK
Monthly premium
~€110
~€108–110
~€110
~€112–114
Online enrollment
✓ Fully online
Varies by region
✓ Online (confirm for your situation)
✓ Online
English website/app
★★★
★★★
★★★
★★★
App quality
★★★
★★★
★★★
★★★
Digital health cert
✓ Full digital cert
✓ Incl. digital cert
✓ Incl. digital cert
⚠ Variable
Extra benefit
TK Bonus Programme, earn up to €150/year for sport & health check-ups
Steps 1–2 can be completed from India before you leave. Steps 3–5 happen after arrival.
1
Apply online before your semester starts, TK and Barmer both accept fully online applications from India. Aim to enroll at least 2 weeks before arrival so your certificate is ready for university registration.
2
Provide your university admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid) and valid passport.
3
Set up a SEPA direct debit mandate for monthly premium payments, most insurers allow you to add your IBAN within the first 2 weeks if you don't have one yet.
4
Receive your insurance certificate (Versicherungsbescheinigung), submit it to your university's Immatrikulationsamt on enrollment day.
5
Your insurance card (Gesundheitskarte) arrives by post within 2–3 weeks. Request your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/EKVK) at the same time. It's free and covers emergency care across the EU.
Coverage gap on arrival: There may be a 1–2 week gap between your arrival date and your GKV start date. Consider a short-term visitor's health insurance to cover this window until your GKV activates.
Common Questions
German Student Health Insurance, Frequently Asked Questions
TK (Techniker Krankenkasse) is the most popular choice for international students due to its full English website and app, fully online enrollment, and excellent digital health certificate. In Bavaria (Munich), AOK Bayern is also a strong regional option.
Yes. Statutory health insurance (GKV) is mandatory for all enrolled students in Germany. Most universities require a GKV certificate for enrollment, private health insurance (PKV) may be accepted in some cases, but confirm with your university's Immatrikulationsamt. For the student visa itself, the German Missions in India accept both statutory and private health insurance. TK, AOK, Barmer, and DAK are all statutory (gesetzliche) insurers.
The health insurance component for German students costs approximately €115/month as of 2026. Mandatory long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung) adds approximately €30–36/month, total expected outgoings are €145–155/month. AOK varies by state (~€108–115/month) and DAK charges ~€112–114/month for the health component. These rates are heavily subsidised compared to working adults.
Sign up before or on Day 1 of your semester. Late enrollment means the insurer will backcharge premiums from the start of your enrollment period. There is no way to avoid retroactive payment. For example, a 3-month delay means roughly 3 × €145 (~€435) owed as a lump sum on Day 1. Apply as soon as you receive your university admission letter.
Yes. TK and Barmer both offer fully online international enrollment. You can complete the entire process before arriving in Germany. AOK enrollment varies by region and may require visiting a branch after arrival.
You need your valid passport, university admission letter (Zulassungsbescheid), and German bank account details (IBAN) for the SEPA direct debit mandate. Some insurers may request your visa or visa appointment confirmation.
No. German statutory health insurance (GKV) is open to all: insurers cannot reject you, exclude conditions, or charge higher premiums for pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, or asthma. This is a fundamental right under German social insurance law. Simply mention ongoing medications to your GP after enrollment so care continues without interruption.
GKV covers GP and specialist visits, hospital care, prescription medication (small co-pays apply), mental health therapy (with referral), and maternity care. Dental coverage includes routine check-ups and extractions but crowns, implants, and cosmetic work require significant out-of-pocket costs. Orthodontics for adults is not covered. Routine glasses and contact lenses are not covered. Repatriation to India is not covered.
Yes. After enrolling in GKV, request a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC or EKVK in German) from your insurer. It covers emergency and medically necessary treatment at public health providers across all EU and EEA countries at no extra cost. It does not cover private clinics or repatriation. Request it via your insurer's app or website once your insurance card arrives.
Before or on Day 1 of your semester. Late enrollment means the insurer will backcharge premiums from the start of your enrollment period. You cannot avoid paying retroactively. For example, if your semester starts 1 October but you enroll in December, you will owe roughly 3 × €145 (~€435) as a lump sum on Day 1. Apply as soon as you receive your university admission letter.
Travel insurance and Indian health policies do not satisfy the statutory GKV requirement. German universities require a German GKV certificate (Versicherungsbescheinigung) for enrollment, international student insurance plans are not accepted by the Immatrikulationsamt. For the visa itself, the German Missions in India do accept qualifying private health insurance, but you will still need to switch to GKV upon enrollment.
Yes, but only at the end of the insurance year (31 December) with 2 months written notice (by 31 October). You must notify your current insurer and register with the new one starting 1 January. Mid-year changes are generally not permitted.
The subsidised student GKV rate applies only until you turn 30. After that, you switch to voluntary GKV membership (freiwillige Versicherung), which costs approximately €200–240/month, significantly more than the student rate. If you are 28 or older when you start your studies, confirm your cut-off date with your chosen insurer early so there are no surprises mid-degree.
No. German statutory health insurance (GKV) is open to all: insurers cannot reject you, exclude conditions, or charge extra premiums for pre-existing conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, or asthma. This is a fundamental right under German social insurance law. Mention your ongoing medications to your GP after enrollment so care continues without interruption.
If you work more than 20 hours per week during the semester, you lose the subsidised student GKV rate and are reclassified as a regular employee, premiums rise to approximately €350+/month. Under 20 hours per week during term time you keep the student rate regardless of earnings. Internships and mandatory placements often have different rules, confirm with your insurer before starting any role.
GKV covers GP and specialist visits, hospital care, prescription medication (small co-pays apply), mental health therapy (with referral), and maternity care. Dental: routine check-ups and extractions are covered; crowns, implants, and cosmetic work require significant out-of-pocket costs. Orthodontics for adults is not covered. Vision: glasses and contact lenses are not covered for routine use. Repatriation to India is not covered by GKV. If you want to compare Zusatzbeitrag rates, smaller insurers like hkk and HEK sometimes charge slightly less, but they have limited English support and smaller networks, so TK or Barmer remain better starting points for most international students.
Yes. This is called Familienversicherung (family co-insurance). If your spouse or children are registered in Germany, not employed, and earn under approximately €505/month (2026 threshold), they can be added to your GKV policy at no extra cost. Confirm eligibility with your insurer when enrolling.
Yes. After enrolling, request a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/EKVK in German) from your insurer. It covers emergency and medically necessary treatment at public health providers across all EU and EEA countries at no extra cost. It does not cover private clinics or repatriation. Request it via your insurer's app or website once your insurance card arrives.
Potentially yes. GKV activates from your semester start date, but you may arrive 1–2 weeks earlier. If you enroll online before departure (TK and Barmer both allow this), your coverage begins on the semester start date regardless of when you physically arrive. To cover the arrival window, consider a short-term travel or visitor's health insurance policy for your first week or two.