Statutory and private health insurance during studies

Definitions

Statutory health insurance is governed by public law and administered by statutory health insurance funds.

Private health insurance and incoming insurance are private-law contracts; benefits, exclusions and billing follow the contract and its insurance terms.

Administrative differences

In the statutory system, the insurance status is generally transmitted electronically to the university and treatment is largely billed directly between provider and health insurance fund.

Private contracts often use an invoice-and-reimbursement process. The university and the competent statutory fund determine which status evidence is required for enrolment.

Who decides the status

The applicable insurance status follows from statutory rules and the assessment of the competent health insurance fund. The university decides on enrolment and the authorities decide on visa and residence matters.

This website does not rank the systems or make a suitability recommendation.

Questions about this page

Which system is better for students?

This page does not make that assessment. It only explains terms and administrative routes.

Can I freely choose my insurance status?

The status is subject to statutory rules and is assessed by the competent health insurance fund.

Where to verify this authoritatively

Official explanations are available from the Federal Ministry of Health and Make it in Germany. Binding case-specific information is provided by the competent health insurance fund, university and authorities.