Public health insurance or private insurance?
Students at German universities must take out a contract with a public health insurance fund (gesetzliche Krankenkasse), writes Deutsche Welle. Under German law, they are then entitled to a reduced insurance rate that applies for the entire duration of their studies. The only condition is that studying must be their main occupation. They are allowed to work no more than 20 hours per week, and if they work more, only on days free from classes.
Those who have studied for more than 14 semesters without changing their major, or who have turned 30, lose their entitlement to the reduced rate – exceptions are made in rare cases, such as pregnancy or long-term illness. If the degree has not yet been completed, the student pays a reduced "transitional" rate for six months – around 150 euros per month. After that, they can remain insured with the public health insurance fund, but the monthly contribution rises to 180-190 euros. Once employed, a different payment scheme applies, where the contribution depends on salary and the employer covers part of the costs.
A student can also opt out of compulsory public health insurance and turn to a private insurance company (private Krankenversicherung). This must be done within the first three months after enrolling at the university. To do so, they need to obtain a certificate of exemption from compulsory insurance from one of the public health insurance funds and present it at the university's registrar's office. But before taking this step, it is worth thinking twice. Returning to the public health insurance fund will be impossible until after graduation and finding a job.
"With private insurance, everything is much more complicated. And the rates are not lower. For those over 30 who are just starting their studies, it might be cheaper, but you need to know exactly which tariff to choose and what is covered by it," explains Philipp Opfermann from the Consumer Protection Association of North Rhine-Westphalia. He advises other students to take out insurance with a public health insurance fund: "The quality of services is roughly the same, the amount of the contribution is also similar, and with public health insurance you have full insurance coverage."
Private insurance is a different matter. There are various financing options. The larger the share of costs that the insured person pays themselves, the lower the monthly contribution. The list of services under private insurance depends on individual wishes and the terms of the contract. The cost of private insurance is influenced not only by the range of services but also by the age and health status of the patient. Therefore, before taking out a policy, the contract should be read carefully. It is also important to note that privately insured individuals will have to deal with doctors themselves and send invoices for medical services to the insurance company.
Clients of public health insurance funds do not need to worry about this – their invoices are handled by the doctors and insurers themselves. Insurance rates in public health insurance funds do not depend on the health status of patients. The range of services varies somewhat, which affects the amount of monthly contributions, but not significantly. Student rates are also more or less fixed. But even here, it is worth comparing. For example, at the largest public health insurance fund, Techniker Krankenkasse, students over 23 without children pay 106 euros per month. At AOK, it is 108.77 euros, at DAK, almost 112 euros. Students under 23 can save a few euros per month because they are not charged for nursing care insurance (Pflegeversicherung). Policies can be taken out online on the websites of most public health insurance funds.
When private insurance is suitable
There are cases where a student is not allowed to take out a contract with a public health insurance fund and must take out a private policy. As explained by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), this applies to those who plan to attend a pre-study college, language preparatory courses, or a summer university in Germany.
For language course participants, the DAAD has concluded a special agreement with the private insurance company UNION Versicherungsdienst and recommends taking out the Vela Basis or Vela optimal tariff, with monthly contributions ranging from 34 to 78 euros depending on services.
There are also a number of other private companies that offer foreign students the opportunity to purchase student insurance before arriving in Germany. As a rule, they also offer services for setting up a blocked account.
Additional insurance
In addition to compulsory health insurance, a student in Germany can, if they wish, take out liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung). Experts believe that this insurance should not be neglected, especially since it costs 20-30 euros per year. If a student unintentionally causes damage, for example, spills wine on an expensive carpet at a party, accidentally scratches someone's car while cycling, or breaks an expensive device in a university laboratory, this type of insurance will compensate the injured party for the loss. "Without insurance, you can't get out of it. Saying 'I'm a student and you can't get anything from me' doesn't work. Even if you can't pay today, you'll have to pay in 10 years," emphasizes Philipp Opfermann. Some universities, for example in Freiburg, themselves insure their students against accidents, bicycle theft, or theft of clothing from the cloakroom. The cost of such insurance is included in the mandatory semester fees.
Students planning an internship or several months of study outside Germany are advised to take out travel insurance (Auslandsreiseversicherung). And those who intend to stay in Germany after university should consider taking out occupational disability insurance (Berufsunfähigkeitsversicherung) while still studying.
"Students are often offered favorable rates due to their young age and good health. Later, it will be more difficult to get them," notes an expert from the Consumer Protection Association. Advice on insurance issues can be obtained not only there, but also at the university's international office, student support society, or directly at one of the health insurance funds or private insurance companies.