Studying in Germany is the dream of every international student. But when you come here, the first official thing you have to do is get health insurance. This was the biggest confusing issue for me when I first set foot in Germany.

Difference between public and private insurance? Which is better? Which is cheaper? Where to go? These are the questions that come to the mind of every incoming student.

Today on dotzee.eu I will answer these very questions, based on my personal experience and in-depth research. This article will not only help you make the right decision but will also make it easier to understand the German insurance system.

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🏥 Health Insurance in Germany: A Must-Have

Health insurance is a must-have for admission to universities in Germany. Whether you study at the Technical University of Munich or any other educational institution, you will not be able to get admission without insurance.

Keep in mind that studying in Germany means getting insurance — no way.

When I first came to Germany, I thought that maybe my country’s insurance would work here too. But the reality was different. German universities require a specific type of insurance that complies with the laws here.

So let’s first understand what public and private insurance are.

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🏛️ Public Health Insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung)

Public health insurance is the government system in Germany that provides basic healthcare to every citizen and resident. It is also called Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV).

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✅ Benefits of Public Insurance

Complete coverage
Public insurance covers everything from doctor’s visits to hospital admissions. This includes medicines, medical treatment, even mental health care.

Family insurance
If you are under 25 and one of your parents has public insurance, you can get insurance with them for free. This is the German system that many students take advantage of to save money.

Pre-existing conditions
If you have a chronic condition, you will not be denied coverage with public insurance because of it. This is a great advantage that private insurance does not offer.

Fixed price
The monthly price of public insurance is fixed and does not change according to income. For students, it is around 120 to 150 euros per month.

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⚠️ Disadvantages of Public Insurance

Age restriction
If you are over 30 years old, you cannot get public insurance.

Waiting for a doctor
To see a specialist with public insurance, you first have to consult a general practitioner and then get a referral. This can take time.

Language problem
Not all public insurance companies provide facilities in English.

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🏢 Popular Public Insurance Companies

There are many public insurance companies in Germany, but some of the most popular are:

AOK
This is one of the largest insurance companies in Germany. It has offices in every city and the facilities are also good.

TK (Techniker Krankenkasse)
The most popular insurance among students. Provides excellent facilities in English.

BARMER
This is also a good insurance and provides support in English.

DAK
This is also a popular insurance, especially with additional benefits regarding pregnancy and childcare.

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🏥 Private Health Insurance (Private Krankenversicherung)

Private health insurance is for people who do not meet the conditions of public insurance or want better benefits. It is also called PKV.

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✅ Benefits of Private Insurance

Quick treatment
With private insurance, you do not have to wait for a doctor. You can see a specialist directly.

Better benefits
With private insurance, you get admission to private hospitals, doctor consultations via video call, and modern treatments.

Customized plan
You can choose an insurance plan according to your needs. Dental treatment, eye check-ups, or alternative treatments — you can add whatever you want.

Cashback
With some private insurance, you get your money back if you do not make a claim. This is unique in the world of insurance.

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⚠️ Disadvantages of Private Insurance

Problem with chronic diseases
If you have a chronic disease, private insurance will either not accept you or will charge you a higher price.

Price increase with age
The price of private insurance increases with age. This is not a problem in public insurance.

Separate price for family
If you are married and have children, you will have to pay a separate price for each person in private.

No return possible
Once you take private insurance, it is very difficult to return to public.

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📊 Difference Between Public and Private: At a Glance

Features	Public insurance	Private insurance
Monthly price	120-150 euros (for students)	depending on age and health
Age requirement	No requirement under 30
Family insurance	free (for children and spouse)	Separate price
Previous diseases	accepted	refused or higher price
Choice of doctor	Limited choice (public doctor)	All doctors
Waiting time	more	short
English facility	in some companies	in most

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🎓 Which Insurance is Better for Students?

This question comes to every student’s mind. The answer depends on your situation.

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👨‍🎓 For Students Under 30

If you are under 30, in my opinion public insurance is the better choice. The reason is simple: cheap, full coverage, and hassle-free.

Most students in Germany use public insurance.

With public insurance you don’t have to worry about what will happen if you get sick. Everything is covered. Although you may have to wait a little for a doctor, this is not a big problem.

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👨‍🎓 For Students Over 30

If you are over 30, public insurance is not possible. You have the option of private insurance.

The good thing about private insurance is that you can choose a plan according to your needs.

If you want to spend less, you can take the basic plan, and if you want better facilities, you can choose the advanced plan.

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🌍 Special Cases

EU students
If you are coming from an EU country and have a European Health Insurance Card, you do not need German insurance. But remember that if you want to work in Germany, then German insurance will be mandatory.

Short-term students
If you are only coming for one or two semesters and you are under 30, public insurance is better. But in some special cases, private travel insurance can also come in handy.

PhD students
There are different rules for PhD students. It would be better to contact the university’s international office.

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📝 How to Get Insurance

Now let’s talk about how to get insurance. This process is not difficult but requires a little patience.

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Steps to Get Public Insurance

Choosing a company
Choose one of AOK, TK, BARMER or DAK. I took TK because their English facility is very good.

Apply
Go to the insurance company’s website and apply online. You will need the following documents:

• Passport
• Admission letter from the university
• Bank account details

Get a certificate
Once the application is approved, you will receive a certificate showing that you have been insured.

Notify the university
The insurance company will send your information directly to the university. This is an electronic procedure that works quickly.

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Steps to Get Private Insurance

Compare companies
Compare plans from different private insurance companies. Check the price, coverage, and additional facilities.

Apply
Apply to the selected company. Private insurance will ask you detailed questions about your health.

Approval
If you are in good health, approval will be quick. If you have a chronic illness, approval may take time.

Notify the university
As with public insurance, you must also notify the university with private insurance. For this, you will need to get confirmation from a public insurance company.

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💰 Price Comparison: Real Figures

Let’s understand what the prices are like with real figures.

Public insurance
The monthly cost of public insurance for students in 2026 is around 120 to 150 euros. This price is almost the same across all companies.

Private insurance
The cost of private insurance depends on your age and health. Typically:

Age 19-30: 212 to 334 euros per month
Age 31-40: 256 to 401 euros per month

Remember that in private, if you do not make a claim, you may get a cashback, which reduces the actual cost.

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🛡️ Additional Insurance That Students Should Take Out

Apart from health insurance, there are other insurances that are useful in Germany.

Liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung)
This insurance comes in handy if you make a mistake and someone suffers damage.

For example, if you break something in someone’s house or injure someone in an accident.

It costs very little, only 40 to 100 euros per year.

Accident insurance
This insurance comes in handy if you have an accident while studying at university. The university itself provides this insurance.

Travel insurance
This insurance is useful if you travel outside Germany.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from public insurance to private?
Yes, but there are conditions. If your annual income is more than 77,400 euros, you can switch to private. But remember that switching is difficult.

Is it possible to switch from private to public?
Generally not. Once you switch to private, it is very difficult to switch back to public.

Does public insurance cover dental treatment?
Yes, basic dental treatment is included. But if you want advanced treatment, you will have to pay extra.

How much will I have to pay if I get sick and get treatment?
With public insurance, you only have to pay a small amount, such as 5 to 10 euros for medication. The rest will be paid by the insurance.

Does public insurance cover mental health treatment?
Yes, it is included. But it can take time to see a psychologist.

Can I use my country’s insurance in Germany?
If you are from the European Union, you can use the European Health Insurance Card. Students from other countries must take out German insurance.

What should I do if I am over 30 years old?
You can take out private insurance. In certain cases, public insurance can be extended; contact your university for this.

Does the cost of insurance increase?
The government sets the price for public insurance, while private insurance increases with age.

Which insurance is better, AOK or TK?
Both are good. TK has better English, AOK has more offices. You should choose based on your needs.

How long does it take to get insurance?
2-3 days for public insurance, and a little longer for private insurance. Apply at least two weeks in advance.

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📌 Conclusion

Choosing the right insurance while studying in Germany is very important. My personal advice is to get public insurance if you are under 30. It is cheap, hassle-free, and provides you with complete protection.

If you are over 30 or want better facilities, private insurance is also a good option. But remember that the path back to public is difficult.

At dotzee.eu, we strive to provide you with accurate and useful information about insurance. We have gone through these steps ourselves and know the difficulties a new student faces.

Remember, insurance is not just a government requirement, but also the security of your health and future. Studying in Germany is a golden opportunity, and with the right insurance, you can enjoy it worry-free.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I have learned from going through these steps myself and would like to help you.