This information is for orientation only. GKV premiums and coverage change with age and status. Emergency: 112; non-urgent doctor: 116 117.

Health coverage roadmap

Choose GKV → Enrol → Certificate for university/visa → Gesundheitskarte → Hausarzt

Student checklist — health

  • Before enrolment: join Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV) — TK, AOK, Barmer, etc.
  • Certificate — Mitgliedsbescheinigung for uni and Ausländerbehörde.
  • EU: EHIC useful for short trips, not enough for study > a few months.
  • Gesundheitskarte — Electronic card after enrolment.
  • Hausarzt: find a doctor with open slots (Aufnahmestopp common).

GKV vs PKV

TypeWhoNote
GKV (statutory)Nearly all studentsFixed student rate until 30
PKV (private)Rarely studentsHard to return to GKV — avoid without advice
Travel insuranceShort pre-arrivalDoes not replace GKV for long visa

Student GKV enrolment

  1. Choose Kasse — Compare digital services (TK app, AOK students).
  2. Apply online — With Zulassung and passport.
  3. Receive certificate — Send to university and immigration office.
  4. Premium — Around €120/month (age/tariff 2026 — verify).
  5. Gesundheitskarte — For visits and pharmacy.

Doctor and specialists

  • Hausarzt — GP; many practices are closed to new patients — call several.
  • Überweisung — For specialists, often required for full reimbursement.
  • Doctolib / Jameda — Online booking.
  • Notaufnahne — Real emergencies only; otherwise 116 117.

Pharmacy and mental health

  • Apotheke — Many medicines on prescription; limited OTC vs some home countries.
  • Psychotherapy: long public waiting lists; university counselling.

Useful numbers

NumberService
112Emergency
116 117Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst
110Police

Common mistakes

  • Relying only on EHIC for the whole degree.
  • Not sending GKV certificate to the university — enrolment blocked.
  • Joining PKV without understanding future constraints.
  • Ignoring Zuzahlung (co-payments) on some services.
Invalid insurance

Without GKV certificate the university may block enrolment.

Quick reference

Dual system: most students under 30 use GKV. GP (Hausarzt) refers to specialists. ER for emergencies; clinics for non-urgent care.

  • GKV mandatory in most student cases
  • EHIC only for short EU stays: not a substitute once resident
  • Therapy waiting lists; English available in big cities
  • Medicines often prescription with co-pay

How healthcare works

How it works in practice

Good for students

Show insurance card (eGK) at the doctor. If card not active yet, temporary confirmation from your insurer.

Emergencies

  • 112 medical/fire
  • 116 117 on-call doctor
  • ER (Notaufnahme) for true emergencies

Mandatory insurance

Student GKV

National rule

Same coverage level across insurers; difference is digital service. Do not stay months on travel insurance once enrolled.

Mental health

Psychological support

Moderate

University psychosocial counselling often free in German/English. Public therapy: long waits; private option with limited reimbursement.

Student support

Campus

  • International office for permits and insurance
  • AStA for daily issues
  • Affordable university sports
Deep dive (optional)

Go deeper

Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.

Statutory vs private health insurance

GKV

Most employees and many students up to an age limit join a statutory health fund; each fund sets an additional contribution rate on top of the base rate.

PKV

Private insurance is only available if you meet legal eligibility rules—compare premiums and long-term implications carefully.

Access to care

GP & specialists

Your Hausarzt usually coordinates care; many specialist visits require a referral.

Pharmacy co-pays

Prescription medicines often require a small co-payment unless exempt.

Emergency & out-of-hours

112 & 116117

112 for emergencies; 116117 for non-life-threatening care when your GP practice is closed (fee may apply).

EHIC

Temporary EU visitors may use EHIC; residents need German insurance.

Mental health

Routine mental-health treatment is often arranged via GP referral; for acute crises call 112 or a recognised helpline such as Telefonseelsorge.

Note

This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.

Trusted sources we used for this content

Public sources such as Eurostat, EU institutions, the Federal Government, Make it in Germany, BAMF, the Federal Foreign Office, BZSt, BMF / ELSTER, the Federal Ministry of Health, DAAD, and German federal laws online. Figures change—not legal or tax advice.