Health
Student health insurance in Germany: TK vs AOK, costs, and what changes at 30
Which health insurer to pick as an Indian student, what it costs, how to get the Mitgliedsbescheinigung for enrollment, and what happens when you turn 30.
Student health insurance costs ~€120/month (identical across all public providers: TK, AOK, Barmer). This subsidised rate applies until age 30 or 14 semesters. After 30, voluntary public insurance jumps to ~€220-250/month. TK is the most popular choice among Indian students for its English support and instant digital Mitgliedsbescheinigung.
Health insurance is mandatory for university enrollment in Germany. You cannot complete Immatrikulation (enrollment) without a Mitgliedsbescheinigung (membership certificate) from a German health insurer. No exceptions. The university will not let you register for classes, get your student ID, or access any services without it.
The good news: student health insurance in Germany is heavily subsidised and costs roughly €120 per month across all providers. The bad news: the rules change drastically when you turn 30 or exceed 14 semesters.
The student tariff (under 30)
If you are under 30 years old and enrolled full-time at a recognised German university, you qualify for the studentische Krankenversicherung (student health insurance tariff).
Cost in 2026: approximately €120 per month total, which includes:
- Health insurance (Krankenversicherung): ~€88
- Long-term care insurance (Pflegeversicherung): ~€27 to €32 (higher if you are over 23 and childless)
This rate is identical across all public insurers. TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK, IKK, they all charge the same student rate. The difference is service quality, not price.
TK vs AOK vs Barmer: which one to pick
Since the cost is the same, choose based on service:
TK (Techniker Krankenkasse)
- Most popular among international students in Germany
- English-language customer service phone line and email
- Good mobile app (TK-App) for finding doctors, submitting claims, and ordering replacement Gesundheitskarte
- Online Mitgliedsbescheinigung generation (instant PDF)
- Widest brand recognition at university enrollment offices
AOK
- Region-specific (AOK Bayern, AOK Nordost, AOK Baden-Württemberg, etc.)
- Strong in-person presence with local offices
- English support varies by region (AOK Bayern is better than AOK Sachsen)
- Good for students who prefer face-to-face help
- Some regional AOKs offer additional benefits (dental cleanings, osteopathy)
Barmer
- Third-largest insurer in Germany
- Good English online portal
- Similar app quality to TK
- Slightly lower profile among Indian students, but functionally equivalent
Our recommendation
TK for most Indian students. The English support, app quality, and instant digital Mitgliedsbescheinigung make the enrollment process smoother. If you are in Bavaria and prefer in-person support, AOK Bayern is a strong alternative.
You can switch insurers after 12 months if you are unhappy. The process is simple (the new insurer handles the paperwork).
How to sign up and get the Mitgliedsbescheinigung
- Before arriving in Germany (recommended): visit the insurer's website (tk.de, aok.de, barmer.de) and start the application online. Expatrio users with TK bundled can skip this step.
- Provide your documents: passport, university admission letter, German address (after Anmeldung), and visa.
- Receive your Mitgliedsbescheinigung: a digital PDF confirming your membership. TK generates this instantly online. AOK and Barmer may take 1 to 3 business days.
- Submit to your university: upload or present the Mitgliedsbescheinigung during Immatrikulation.
- Receive your Gesundheitskarte: the physical health insurance card arrives by post in 2 to 4 weeks. Until then, a temporary certificate works for doctor visits.
Travel insurance: covering the gap
Your German student health insurance starts on the day your university enrollment begins (usually 1 October or 1 April). If you arrive in Germany before that date, you need travel health insurance (Reisekrankenversicherung) to cover the gap.
Options:
- DR-WALTER Provisit Student: popular incoming tariff for international students, covers pre-enrollment period
- MAWISTA: similar incoming student tariff
- Allianz Travel: if bundled through Fintiba
These cost €30 to €80 per month and cover emergencies, doctor visits, and hospitalisation until your student insurance activates.
Important: the German embassy requires proof of health insurance for your visa application. The incoming travel insurance satisfies this requirement for the visa period. Your Sperrkonto provider (Fintiba or Expatrio) typically bundles a suitable policy.
What changes when you turn 30
This is the cliff that catches Indian students off guard. On the day you turn 30 (or after your 14th semester, whichever comes first), you lose the subsidised student rate.
Your options after 30:
Voluntary public insurance (freiwillige Versicherung)
- Cost: approximately €220 to €250 per month (income-dependent, calculated on a minimum assumed income for students)
- Same coverage as before
- Same provider (you stay with TK, AOK, etc.)
- You must actively opt in within 2 weeks of losing the student tariff
Private insurance
- Cost: €150 to €300+ per month depending on age, health, and coverage level
- Cheaper than voluntary public if you are healthy and under 35
- Major downside: harder to switch back to public later, premiums increase with age, no Familienversicherung
- Most Indian students should avoid private unless they are certain they will leave Germany after studies
What to do
If you are turning 30 during your Masters:
- Budget for the jump from €120 to ~€230/month
- Voluntary public is almost always the right choice for students who plan to stay in Germany and work after graduation
- Contact your insurer 2 months before your 30th birthday to understand the transition process
Private insurance for students over 30
Some students arrive in Germany already over 30 (common for MBA programs and career changers). In this case:
- You cannot access the subsidised student rate
- You choose between voluntary public (
€230/month) and private (€150 to €300/month) - Most universities accept either
- Private insurers popular with over-30 students: MAWISTA, Care Concept, DR-WALTER (these are incoming tariffs, not full German PKV)
Warning: incoming tariffs have coverage limits (e.g., no chronic disease treatment, limited dental). They work for 1 to 2 years. If you plan to stay longer, switch to voluntary public as soon as possible.
Dental and vision
Student health insurance covers:
- Dental checkups: 1 per year, fully covered
- Basic dental treatment: fillings and extractions covered
- Major dental work: crowns, bridges, implants, partially covered (50 to 65%) after you have been insured for 5+ years with documented annual checkups. New arrivals get lower coverage.
- Vision: glasses are NOT covered for most adults. Budget €100 to €300 for frames and lenses at Fielmann or Apollo
Common mistakes
- Not signing up before enrollment: without the Mitgliedsbescheinigung, you cannot enrol. Start the process 2 to 4 weeks before the semester begins.
- Using Indian travel insurance for enrollment: German universities require a German public or private insurer, not international travel insurance. Your Indian policy does not count.
- Ignoring the 30-year cliff: students who turn 30 mid-semester sometimes discover the cost jump only when their premium doubles. Plan ahead.
- Choosing private insurance to save money: €150/month at age 28 becomes €400+ at age 40. If you plan to stay in Germany, public is almost always better long-term.
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Frequently asked
How much does student health insurance cost in Germany?
About €120/month total (health + long-term care insurance). This rate is identical across all public providers (TK, AOK, Barmer, DAK). It is heavily subsidised and available until age 30 or 14 semesters.
What happens to student health insurance when I turn 30?
You lose the subsidised student rate. Voluntary public insurance jumps to ~€220-250/month. You must opt in within 2 weeks. Private insurance is cheaper initially but gets expensive with age. Voluntary public is the safer choice for most.
Can I use my Indian health insurance in Germany?
No. German universities require a German public or private insurer for enrollment. Indian travel or health insurance does not satisfy the Mitgliedsbescheinigung requirement. You must sign up with a German insurer.
Which health insurer is best for Indian students: TK or AOK?
TK (Techniker Krankenkasse) for most. It has English customer service, a good app, and generates the Mitgliedsbescheinigung digitally (instant PDF). AOK Bayern is a strong alternative if you prefer in-person support in Bavaria.
How do I get the Mitgliedsbescheinigung for university enrollment?
Apply online at your chosen insurer's website (tk.de, aok.de). Provide passport, admission letter, and German address. TK generates the digital PDF instantly. AOK and Barmer may take 1-3 business days. Submit it during Immatrikulation.
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