Information for international students

In Germany, all students have to provide proof of health and long-term care insurance by certificate of a statutory health insurance company, in order to be matriculated.

A student can be insured as follows:

• under statutory health insurance
• under student health insurance
• under private health insurance (an exemption from student health insurance is necessary)

If you are from another EU country and studying in Germany, you don't have to take out health insurance, under the condition that you are already insured in your home country and you can provide a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you are insured through private family insurance an exemption has to be individually reviewed.

This also applies to you, if your home country has signed a Social Security Agreement concerning health insurance with Germany. To verify your insurance to us, you need a certificate of entitlement (EESSI or  A/T 11).

Your AOK student advisor will personally discuss the best option for your particular situation with you:

Just call 0049 9131 9242 10 128 *
Mon - Wed: 8am – 16.30pm
Thu: 8am – 17.30pm 
Fr: 8am – 15pm 

* The cost of a call from abroad via land line or mobile phone depends on the rates set by the respective foreign network operator.

Attention: The following rules only apply to Persons who have student health insurance with the AOK.

• All kinds of 'minor employment' up to an income threshold of 538 Euro/month are exempt from insurance in all lines of insurance.
• Short-term jobs up to a maximum of three months or 70 calendar days are exempt from insurance in all lines of insurance.
• During the semester, jobs that require you to work up to 20 hours a week are exempt from insurance under statutory health insurance, private health insurance and unemployment insurance.
• Regardless of how much money you earn and how many hours you work per week, as a student your job is exempt from insurance during semester breaks.

If you are insured with a different health care provider, please check which guidelines apply to you.

The AOK is a non profit oriented health insurance organisation. As one of the largest health insurance organisations in Germany we have the administrative and financial strength to provide excellent medical care at moderate rates. Our service is fast, competent and unbureaucratic. You can count on us in case of emergency. We offer you:

• Affordable premiums
• Our special "AOK Student-Service " - 70 times in Germany
• Free choice among over 130.000 doctors and dentists
• No advance payments thanks to your AOK card
• Individual advice and personal service provided by our student advisers
• Accessible office locations, directly on-site in many university and college towns
• Long opening hours and quick, unbureaucratic help when needed
• Nation-wide telephone hotline at the cost of a local call
• Advice and assistance in all matters relating to social security
• A comprehensive program to promote health and healthy living
• On-going support to help you overcome all hurdles relating to insurance during your studies
• We will arrange for you a smooth transfer from free family insurance to the Student Health Insurance scheme and, if required, subsequent Voluntary Student Insurance.

As its slogan “the health insurance provider” already suggests, the AOK provides 27 million people with health insurance and thus is one of the biggest health insurance companies in Germany. They pay out for treatment by doctors and dentists, medication, therapy (massages, physiotherapy, etc.), assistive equipment (wheelchairs, walking aids, etc.) and hospital treatment. You are also eligible to an allowance if you fall ill and are not able work. Please note that you are not eligible for this sickness allowance if you have student health insurance. Also, some of these services can include additional charges. This is the case for people insured with any insurance company.

Further information: With our benefits, we support the idea that illnesses can be prevented, or be detected and treated at an early stage.

Find out more about AOK's benefits and services here (The site is in German).