📑 Table of Contents
- Switch from Private to Public Insurance: A Complete Guide for Students in Germany (2026 Update)
- Insurance system in Germany: Initial confusion
- Public and private insurance: the main differences
- Switch from private to public: When is it possible?
- Special cases for students: Practical examples
- How to switch: Practical steps
- Important Warning: The loss of Altersrückstellungen
- Benefits of Public Insurance: Why Public Insurance is Better for Pakistani Students
- Examples of Failed Switch: Lessons Learned
- Things to consider when switching
- Public insurance prices in Germany (2026)
- Conclusion: Should you switch?
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Studying in Germany is the dream of every Pakistani student, but the issue of health insurance often becomes a source of confusion after coming here. I have advised hundreds of students in my career on insurance matters and have seen people take private health insurance (PKV) and regret it later. 😟
Today I will tell you how you can switch back to public insurance (GKV) if you are already in private insurance. This article has been specially prepared for you on dotzee.eu so that you do not make any mistakes regarding insurance during your stay in Germany. 🎓
🧠 Insurance system in Germany: Initial confusion
When I came to Germany myself, I also did not understand what the difference was between public and private insurance. In Pakistan, we take a private company and that’s it. But the German system is completely different. 🤔
Public health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) is a system that covers about 87% of the population. Its fees are based on your income. On the other hand, private insurance (Private Krankenversicherung) charges fees based on your age and health. 💶
Many Pakistani students take out private insurance when they come to Germany because:
- 🇵🇰 They don’t know German and private companies provide services in English
- 💬 Some people say that private is cheaper
- 🔁 They think that they can switch to public later
But there is a big problem. And that is that switching from private to public is not as easy as it seems. ⚠️
⚖️ Public and private insurance: the main differences
When I answer questions from students on dotzee.eu, I first explain the differences:
🟢 Fees of public insurance (GKV):
- 💰 Fees according to your income (usually 14.6% + additional charges)
- 🎓 Special rate for students around €140-150 per month (up to 30 years)
- 👨👩👧 Family members (wife, children) can get insurance for free
- 🏥 Old or chronic illnesses are also covered
- 🪪 You only have to show your card when going to the doctor
🔵 Fees of private insurance (PKV):
- 📊 Fees according to age and health
- 💸 Can be cheaper for young and healthy people (€200-300 per month)
- 👤 Each person has to take out separate insurance
- 🚫 Premiums are higher or not covered for old illnesses
- ⏱️ You get an appointment with the doctor quickly
⚠️ Important: if you are under 30, public insurance is very cheap for students. But if you are over 30, you will not get that student rate in public.
🔁 Switch from private to public: When is it possible?
This question is asked to me every week by someone.
Good news: It is not impossible.
Bad news: There are some conditions. 📋
✅ Condition No. 1: Age limit (under 55 years)
According to German law, if you are under 55 years old, you can return to public. After 55 years it becomes almost impossible except in a few special cases (such as family insurance of a spouse). 👴
Pakistani students usually come to Germany at the age of 20-30, so they meet the age limit. 👍
✅ Condition No. 2: Income limit (as of 2026)
This is the most important condition. To come to public insurance, your annual income must be below a certain limit. 📉
The limit for 2026 is: €77,400 per year (gross) 💶
This means:
- 📉 If your salary is less than €77,400 → you can join the public sector
- 📈 If your salary is higher than this → you cannot join the public sector (unless you change jobs)
✅ Condition 3: Nature of the job
Here is another important point. Freelancers or self-employed people cannot join the public sector directly unless they start an employment that is covered by social insurance. 🧑💻
How does this condition work for students? If you are a student and are only studying (not working), you may be eligible for public insurance.
🎓 Special cases for students: Practical examples
Now I will give you some real examples that I have seen in my experience:
👤 Case 1: Ayan (27 years old, master’s student)
Ayan took private insurance in the first semester because he was in a hurry. In the second semester, he found out that the public one had family insurance and could get his wife free insurance. 💑
Solution: Ayan remained in university and applied to a public insurance company. Since he was under 30 and a student, he easily got into public student insurance. ✅
👤 Case 2: Ali (31 years old, PhD scholar)
Ali is 31 years old and is doing his PhD. He had taken private insurance but the premiums increased. He wanted to get into public. 😕
Problem: Students over 30 years old are not eligible for the student rate. ❌
Solution: Ali applied for voluntary membership in public insurance. They have to pay around €250-300 per month (slightly less than private). He works as a student, which means his income is low, so the shift to public insurance was possible.
👤 Case 3: Ahmad (29 years old, working student)
Ahmad works part-time and his annual income is €50,000. He wants to switch from private insurance to public. 🔄
Solution: Since his income is less than €77,400 and he works as a social insurance, he can switch to public. ✅
🧭 How to switch: Practical steps
If you have decided to switch from private to public, take these steps:
📌 Step 1: Check eligibility
- ✅ Check your age (under 55)
- ✅ Check your income (under €77,400)
- ✅ Check your employment status (social insurance job or student)
📌 Step 2: Choose a public insurance company
There are several public insurance companies in Germany such as TK, AOK, BARMER, DAK. They are all almost the same. 🏛️
Recommendation for Pakistani students: TK or BARMER can be taken because they have good English support. 🗣️
📌 Step 3: Apply
Apply to the chosen public insurance company. You must state that you are coming from private. 📝
📌 Step 4: End private insurance
To end private insurance, you must give at least 3 months’ written notice. ✍️
📌 Note: The public insurance company can help you liquidate your private company.
⚠️ Important Warning:
This is something that most people do not know and regret later. 😞
Part of the premium you pay each month in private insurance goes into Altersrückstellungen (savings for old age). When you switch to public, all these savings are lost. 💸
Example: If you have been in private for 10 years and have deposited €20,000, this money will be lost as soon as you switch to public. 😨
That’s why I always say: think ten times before taking private. 🧠
✅ Benefits of Public Insurance: Why Public Insurance is Better for Pakistani Students
1️⃣ Family Cover 👨👩👧
If you are married and your wife/children are with you in Germany, they will be covered for free in public insurance. In private, you will have to pay a separate premium for each person.
2️⃣ Pre-existing diseases 🩺
In Pakistan, if you have a pre-existing disease (such as diabetes, blood pressure), the private company will either not cover you or will charge a very high premium. No disease is checked in public. ✅
3️⃣ Pregnancy Coverage 🤰
If your wife is pregnant, public insurance covers all the costs. Companies like DAK and AOK conduct additional tests for up to €500. 👶
4️⃣ Mental Health 🧘
The pressure of studying in Germany can cause mental problems. Public insurance offers therapy. DAK has a special VeoVita clinic partnership. 🫂
❌ Examples of Failed Switch: Lessons Learned
I have seen several cases on dotzee.eu where people were unable to switch from private to public:
❌ Failed Case 1: 56-Year-Old Professor 👨🏫
A Pakistani professor came to Germany at the age of 56 and took out private insurance. Later, it turned out that he could not switch to public because he was over 55.
❌ Failed Case 2: High-Income People 💼
A software engineer had an annual income of €90,000. He took out private insurance and later wanted to switch to public but could not because of the income limit.
❌ Failed Case 3: Freelancer 🧑💻
A freelance web developer took out private insurance. When he wanted to switch to public, he was told that he could not switch to public without a job.
🤔 Things to consider when switching
If you really want to switch from private to public, you must consider these points:
1️⃣ Do you really want public?
Private also has its advantages: quick access to a doctor, private hospital rooms, and a no-claims bonus if you don’t get sick (up to €1,200 per year with some companies). 🏨
2️⃣ Cost comparison 💶
Compare your current private premium with the potential public premium. If you are a student under 30, public is cheaper. If you are over 30, public can be expensive.
3️⃣ Future plans 🔮
Do you want to stay in Germany? Do you want to get married? Do you want children? If yes, public is better because family cover is free. 🏡
💰 Public insurance prices in Germany (2026)
The current rates are as follows:
- 🎓 Students (up to 30 years): around €140-150 per month
- 🎓 Students (over 30 years): around €250-300 per month (voluntary)
- 👔 Employees: 14.6% of income + Zusatzbeitrag (on average 1.1%), maximum €700-800 per month
- 🧑⚕️ Private starts at €200-300 per month for young and healthy people.
🧭 Conclusion: Should you switch?
Now let me tell you who should go public and who should not in my experience:
✅ Go public if:
- 🧑🎓 You are a student under 30
- 💍 You are married and have a wife/children with you
- 🏥 You have a chronic illness
- 🇩🇪 You want to stay in Germany for a long time
❌ Go private if:
- 🧍 You are single and healthy
- ⚡ You want quick access to a doctor
- 💶 Your income is very high (€77,400+)
- 🧑💻 You are a freelancer and cannot go public
💡 Remember, it is possible to go from private to public but with conditions. It is better to make the right decision in advance. ✅
You can find more information about insurance on dotzee.eu. Our team helps Pakistani students choose the best insurance in Germany. 🤝
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)❓
Can I switch from private insurance to public at any time?
No, only under certain conditions. You must be under 55 years old and if employed, your annual income must be less than €77,400 (2026).
Can a student over 30 years old take out public insurance?
Yes, he can, but he will not receive the student rate. He will have to take out voluntary insurance, which is expensive (around €250-300 per month).
Can a freelancer switch from private to public?
A freelancer cannot switch directly to public. He must first do a job that is covered by social insurance and his income is less than €77,400.
What is the notice period for terminating private insurance?
At least 3 months’ written notice is required. Most private contracts are for 1-2 years and are then renewed annually.
Are the savings in private insurance refundable?
No, this money is lost when you switch to public. This is a major disadvantage of private insurance. 💔
Can I switch to public if my income is too high?
If your annual income is more than €77,400 and you are employed, you cannot switch to public unless you take a low-paid job.
Are family members covered free of charge in public insurance?
Yes, spouses and children (up to a certain age) are covered free of charge, provided they have no or very little income of their own.
Can I switch from private to public if I become unemployed?
Yes, if you become unemployed and receive Arbeitslosengeld I, you are automatically enrolled in public insurance. The condition is that you are under 55 years of age.
📌 This article is based on the latest data from 2026. Changes to German laws are possible. Be sure to consult an expert before making any decisions. 🧠
🌐 For more information, visit dotzee.eu or contact our team. 📞
Pingback: Can I change my health insurance during my studies in Germany? Complete Guide
Yes, you’re absolutely right! Many students make hasty decisions and just take the cheapest or friend’s insurance. This can be a bit risky, so always choose insurance based on your needs and coverage.