📌 Introduction
You’ve thought about it. Studying in Europe. Germany and Austria are two countries that are becoming increasingly popular among Pakistani students. The reason? Quality education, very low fees or sometimes completely free education in public universities, and travel opportunities due to being in the heart of Europe.
But in my career, I have seen hundreds of students face a major obstacle after getting admitted to their dream university. That obstacle is the issue of insurance.
Yes. You have passed the IELTS or DaF, your documents have been approved, but there is one more condition that you need to fulfill for your visa. Health insurance. And this is not a formal requirement. Without insurance in Europe, you cannot enter, nor can you get a visa, and even if you somehow reach it, it is legally impossible to stay there without insurance.
In this article today, based on my personal experience and a decade and a half of working in the insurance industry, I will tell you what the difference is between Austrian and German student insurance. This information is important for you because most students think that the system is the same in both countries, while the reality is the opposite. If you do not choose the right insurance, you may have to pay a heavy price.
I myself work at dotzee.eu, which is a platform that provides information in the insurance sector. We strive to provide students with the right information so that they can make a better decision. So, let’s take a closer look.
🏥 Basic understanding of the insurance system: public vs. private
To understand any article, it is necessary to first understand its basis. The health insurance system in both Germany and Austria is divided into two main parts.
📋 Statutory Health Insurance
It is called “Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung” (GKV) in Germany and “Österreichische Gesundheitsskasse” (ÖGK) in Austria. This is a system in which a percentage of your income is deducted every month and in return you are provided with medical facilities. The rate is fixed for students.
🏦 Private Health Insurance
This is the insurance that is provided by private companies. Its prices and facilities vary. Some private insurances are cheap but they also have limited facilities.
Now the question is, which one is better for you? To know the answer, we have to understand the laws of both countries.
⚠️ The first major difference: the age limit and its effects
This is probably the most important point that Pakistani students often overlook.
The situation in Germany
If you want to study in Germany and you are under 30 years old, you can join the state insurance. It costs around 110 to 120 euros per month. This is extremely cheap because the state insurance usually costs much more, but the government provides subsidies for students.
But if you are over 30 years old, it becomes difficult for you to join the state insurance in Germany. After 30 years, you have to take a “voluntary” membership in the state insurance, which costs more than 200 euros. In some cases, it can even go up to 800 euros. Therefore, students over 30 years old usually turn to private insurance.
The situation in Austria
Age limits are also important in Austria, but here it is a little different. In Austria, age is also taken into account in the conditions of student insurance under the ÖGK. Students can usually take out state insurance up to the age of 30-35. But there is a special point here.
If you are a student in Austria over the age of 30, private insurance is the only option for you. Several students who visited dotzee.eu told me that they chose Austria over Germany after the age of 30 because there are some relatively cheap private insurance options here. For example, companies like Care Austria offer insurance for students up to the age of 35 for 56 euros per month.
💰 The second big difference: the price comparison
This is where the real difference comes in.
Prices in Germany
State insurance (under 30): around 120 euros per month
Public insurance (over 30): can range from 200 to 800 euros per month
Private insurance: If you are over 30, you should take out private insurance. The cost starts at 80 euros and increases depending on the coverage.
Prices in Austria
Public insurance (ÖGK): around 60-70 euros per month. Yes, you read that right. Public student insurance in Austria is about half the price of Germany.
Private insurance: Private insurance prices in Austria are also competitive. Companies like Care Austria offer insurance for students for 51 to 56 euros per month.
👨🎓 Real life example
Ali Ahmed is a student from Lahore. He enrolled at the University of Munich. He was 31 years old. He called me to show his insurance papers at the German consulate. I told him that the government insurance would cost around 400 euros a month.
Ali was surprised. A friend of his had told him that insurance was cheaper in Germany. The problem was that the friend was 25 years old and was getting government insurance at a cheaper price. Ali was over 30, so the situation was different for him.
Eventually, Ali got into a university in Austria where he got private insurance for 65 euros a month. That’s the difference. If Ali had had the right information in advance, he could have saved time and effort.
🏥 The third difference: coverage and benefits
After the price, the most important question is what are you getting in return for the insurance?
Coverage of German public insurance
German public insurance is very comprehensive. It covers doctor’s visits, hospital admissions, medications, and even dental treatment to some extent. There is the family doctor (Hausarzt) system, where you first go to your family doctor and they refer you to a specialist if necessary.
Coverage of Austrian public insurance
The Austrian ÖGK also offers almost the same benefits. Here too, you receive an e-card, which is your insurance card. You have to present it to the doctor. ÖGK covers not only Austria but all of Europe.
But there is a difference. There are two types of doctors in Austria:
Kassenarzt (doctors who have a direct contract with ÖGK)
Wahlarzt (private doctors)
If you go to a Kassenarzt, you don’t have to pay anything. If you go to a Wahlarzt, you have to pay money first and then get some back from the insurance later.
📑 Fourth difference: Application process and documents
Applying in Germany
You need to provide proof of insurance before you can enroll in Germany. For most students, the process is straightforward. You can apply to any public insurance company (such as AOK, TK, DAK).
But remember, if you are over 30, you first need to get an “exemption“ so that you can take out private insurance. This exemption is granted once and cannot be changed.
Applying in Austria
To apply to the ÖGK in Austria, you will need proof of enrollment from your university and your passport. The ÖGK will send you an “e-card” with your photo on it. This card can take several weeks to be issued.
For private insurance, companies like Care Austria offer online application and provide certificates immediately. This is especially useful for students who need urgent documents for their visa.
🌍 Difference 5: European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
This is an important difference that often confuses students.
Germany’s perspective
If you come to Germany from another EU country and have an EHIC from your home country, you can use it in Germany. But remember, this is only for a temporary stay. If you are a long-term student, you will need to take out German insurance.
Austria’s perspective
In Austria, the ÖGK e-card also has an EHIC on the back. This means that if you take out insurance in Austria and then go on holiday to France or Italy, you can still take out insurance there.
But be careful! If your card has asterisks (*) on it**, it means that you have not yet met some of the conditions and you will need to get a provisional certificate from ÖGK before traveling.
🩺 Sixth difference: The procedure for going to the doctor
In Germany
In Germany, you can usually go to any doctor in your area. But it is better to see your family doctor first. If you need a specialist, your family doctor will refer you.
In Austria
The same system is in Austria, but the concept of “Wahlarzt” is more common here. Many doctors are in private practice.
If you go to a doctor affiliated with the ÖGK (Kassenarzt), you only have to show your e-card and that’s it. If you go to a Wahlarzt, you have to pay the bill and then get some money back from the ÖGK.
🏥 Seventh difference: Hospitalization
In Germany
If you have to be hospitalized, the state insurance will cover the cost of your treatment. You only have to pay “subsistence costs”, i.e. some minor expenses such as food etc.
In Austria
The situation is similar in Austria. ÖGK covers the cost of treatment in public hospitals in the “general fee class”. If you stay overnight in hospital, you will have to pay some of the costs of meals yourself.
🦷 Eighth difference: Dental treatment
Dental treatment is a sensitive topic in both countries.
In Germany
The state insurance covers the cost of basic dental treatment, but if you need a crown or implant, you have to pay a considerable amount yourself.
In Austria
The situation is almost the same in Austria. ÖGK covers the cost of basic treatment, but for major treatment you are advised to take out additional insurance.
🧠 Ninth difference: Psychological treatment
This is an area that is less focused on in Pakistan, but it is very important in Europe.
In Germany
The state insurance provides some psychological treatment, but a doctor’s referral is required for this.
In Austria
ÖGK can reimburse some of the costs of psychological treatment under certain conditions, but this requires prior authorization.
💊 The tenth difference: Medicines and pharmacies
In Germany
Medicines are only available at pharmacies (Apotheke). If a doctor has written a prescription, you only have to pay a small amount (prescription charge). The rest of the cost is paid by insurance.
In Austria
The same system applies in Austria. In 2021, the prescription charge was 6.50 euros. If the actual price of the medicine is lower, you only pay the actual price.
📊 In-depth analysis: which country is better for you?
Now that we have looked at all the differences in detail, the question is which country is better for you?
You should choose Germany if:
• You are under 30 years old and want comprehensive state insurance at a low price
• You are interested in learning German
• You are interested in engineering or technology
You should choose Austria if:
• You are over 30 and want cheap private insurance
• You prefer a quiet and small country
• You are interested in music, arts or social sciences
👩🎓 Another real-life example
Sarah Khan was a bright student from Karachi. She applied for a master’s degree in both countries. She was accepted by both the Technical University in Germany and the University of Vienna in Austria. Sarah was 28 years old.
She asked me for advice. I told her that she would get cheaper insurance in Germany because she was under 30. But Sarah wanted to study arts and Vienna was better for that.
In the end, Sarah chose Vienna. Her monthly ÖGK there cost 65 euros, which was lower than in Germany. Sarah said that living in Vienna is also cheaper than Munich, and so is insurance.
These examples show how the right information can influence your decision.
📝 Conclusion
Austria and Germany are both wonderful countries, both have high standards of education, and both welcome Pakistani students. But the issue of insurance can make or break your experience.
Remember:
✔ Age is your biggest friend or foe
✔ If you are under 30, Germany may be cheaper
✔ If you are over 30, Austria may offer better private options
✔ Always check coverage, not just price
✔ Plan ahead, because insurance applications can take time
❓ FAQ Section
Can I study in Austria with public insurance in Germany?
No. Each country has its own insurance system. You have to take out the insurance of the country where you are studying.
Is private insurance mandatory for Pakistani students in Austria?
If you are under 30, you can take out the public ÖGK insurance. For students over 30, private insurance is a better option.
What is the minimum cost of student insurance in Germany and Austria?
Public insurance in Germany is around 120 euros per month. In Austria, public insurance is around 65 euros per month, while private insurance starts at 50 euros.
Can I use the same insurance in both countries?
If you have an EHIC card, you can temporarily receive treatment in another country, but for long-term studies, you will have to take out local insurance.
What is the best option for students over 30?
Private insurance such as Care Austria Education is the best option in Austria, which costs 56 euros per month.
Does the insurance also cover my family members?
The general student insurance is only for one person. If you are coming with your family, you will have to take out separate insurance for them.
What insurance is required for a visa?
For a visa, you need insurance that meets all the requirements of the German or Austrian embassy.
What happens if I get sick and I don’t have insurance?
Treatment without insurance in Europe is very expensive. A simple doctor’s visit can cost more than 100 euros and a hospital stay can cost thousands of euros.
📚 For more information
If you want to learn more about insurance, I would advise you to read the basic information about health insurance on Wikipedia. This will give you a basic understanding of the system.
Note: This article is intended to provide general information. Insurance rules may change over time. Be sure to get the latest information from the relevant university and insurance company before making any final decisions.