Private Health Insurancefor students in Germany from around EUR 70
Student plans in plain English, with the right laws, deadlines and 2026 premiums. The comparison is free and non-binding.
Last updated: May 22, 2026. meinetarife24 Editorial Team. Premiums shown are example figures from public insurer calculators and vary with age, plan and deductible.
Key takeaways
- PKV student plans in 2026 start at around EUR 70 per month, depending on insurer, plan and deductible.
- Public student health insurance (KVdS) costs around EUR 120 per month (source: GKV-Spitzenverband 2026).
- BAfoeG recipients get a EUR 137 (under 30) or EUR 205 (from 30) monthly health insurance allowance (Section 13a BAfoeG).
- You can only switch to PKV within three months of becoming insurance-liable (Section 8 paragraph 2 SGB V); the choice is binding for your studies.
- Returning to public GKV is effectively impossible from age 55 (Section 6 paragraph 3a SGB V).
Private health insurance (PKV) for students in Germany typically costs between EUR 70 and EUR 110 per month in 2026. The exact premium depends on your age, the plan you pick and the deductible you accept. The public student insurance (KVdS), by contrast, costs around EUR 120 per month including long-term care. If you want to switch to PKV, you have to decide within the first three months after enrolling. The choice is binding for the rest of your studies.
What PKV looks like for students
Not everything is included by default. The points below depend on the plan you choose.
Student rates up to age 30
Many German private health insurers offer dedicated student plans starting at around EUR 70 per month. The actual premium depends on the plan, deductible and health questions.
Source: public insurer tariff calculators, May 2026
Shorter waiting times
Private patients often get specialist appointments faster in practice. There is no legal guarantee on waiting times and the effect varies by region.
Practical experience, depends on insurer
Cover for studies abroad
Student plans often include travel or international health cover for exchange semesters, internships and private trips. Scope and duration depend on the plan terms.
Coverage depends on policy conditions
PKV student plan comparison
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Established PKV providers with a student plan
These insurers offer dedicated student plans. The starting premiums shown are example figures and depend on age, plan tier and deductible.
HUK-COBURG
Established insurer with a dedicated student plan
Example figure, depends on plan and deductible
Allianz
Major German PKV provider with a student plan
Example figure, depends on plan and deductible
Debeka
Mutual insurer popular with German students
Example figure, depends on plan and deductible
PKV vs. public student insurance
What sets the two systems apart and where public insurance has the edge
| Feature | Public KVdS | Private PKV |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium 2026 | around EUR 120 incl. long-term care | from around EUR 70 |
| How the premium is set | fixed student rate (KVdS) | depends on age, plan and deductible |
| Specialist waiting time | often several weeks | usually a few days |
| Dental treatment | standard care | up to 100% depending on plan |
| Private hospital room | only with surcharge | included depending on plan |
| Coverage abroad | EU limited | often worldwide |
| Family coverage | spouse and children for free | each family member needs own policy |
| Return to public GKV | - | restricted, effectively closed from age 55 (SGB V Section 6 para 3a) |
Sources: GKV-Spitzenverband (2026), public insurer calculators, gesetze-im-internet.de.
What does PKV cost for students in 2026?
Example premiums by age group, depending on plan and deductible
Up to 24
Young and healthy: lowest entry premiums
25 to 29
Family coverage ends, student plan still possible
30 to 34
Student rate ends, switch to regular PKV plan
35 and above
Premium based on age and health questions
BAfoeG and health insurance
Students who receive BAfoeG get a flat allowance for health and long-term care insurance on top of the basic rate. This is set out in Section 13a BAfoeG. Since the winter semester 2024/25 the following figures apply:
Under 30
EUR 137
per month as a health insurance allowance
From age 30
EUR 205
per month (KVdS exempt or PKV)
Source: BMBF, Section 13a BAfoeG. The figures remain unchanged in 2026.
PKV for students over 30
Student public health insurance ends at age 30 by default (Section 5 paragraph 1 no. 9 SGB V). Exceptions apply for second vocational training, caring duties or illness. After your 30th birthday you usually become a voluntary member of GKV with a noticeably higher premium.
Moving into PKV is still possible past 30. The student rate disappears though, so you end up in a standard PKV plan. Be aware: returning to GKV is effectively impossible from age 55 under Section 6 paragraph 3a SGB V. This decision is therefore a long-term one.
Important: Once you exempt yourself as a student and join PKV, you cannot freely return to free family coverage. The decision lasts for the rest of your studies and can shape your whole working life.
Working students and the employer contribution
Working students (Werkstudenten) hold a part-time job of up to 20 hours per week during the semester. If you are in PKV, you are entitled to an employer contribution under Section 257 SGB V. The contribution amounts to half of the general GKV rate of 14.6%, capped at half of your actual PKV premium.
As long as you stay within the 20-hour limit during term, your student status for health insurance purposes is preserved. During semester breaks you may work more without losing this status.
International students: what you need to know
International students enrolled at a state-recognised German university fall under Section 5 paragraph 1 no. 9 SGB V, unless they have a benefit entitlement under a bilateral social security agreement. EU students using a valid EHIC are treated differently from students arriving from non-EU countries.
Non-EU students typically take out a temporary private policy on arrival to register at the immigration office, then choose between public student insurance (KVdS) or a full PKV plan. Important: the three-month exemption window in Section 8 paragraph 2 SGB V starts when your insurance liability begins.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. For complex cases, talk to your university International Office or a Verbraucherzentrale advisor.
What students often choose PKV for
The most common arguments, seen soberly
Shorter waiting times
Specialist appointments often come faster. There is no legal guarantee, so practice on the ground matters most.
Optional extras per plan
Chief physician, private room or stronger dental cover are possible, but only if your plan includes them.
Cover for studies abroad
Internships, exchange semesters and trips are covered worldwide depending on the plan. Check duration and limits carefully.
Frequently asked questions about student PKV
The key answers on premiums, deadlines and switching
1When does private health insurance pay off for students in Germany?
Private health insurance (PKV) can be worth it if you are young, healthy and plan to study long term. After turning 25, when free family coverage ends, the student PKV rate is often cheaper than the public student insurance (KVdS). One important point: the decision is binding for your entire studies. You cannot switch back to public health insurance during your studies on a whim.
2How much does student public health insurance cost in 2026?
The student public health insurance (KVdS) costs around EUR 120 per month in 2026, including long-term care insurance. Source: GKV-Spitzenverband, social insurance figures 2026. The rate is the same all over Germany, regardless of the field of study. Students receiving BAfoeG get a flat allowance toward this premium.
3How much is the BAfoeG health insurance allowance in 2026?
Under Section 13a BAfoeG, students under 30 receive EUR 137 per month as a health and long-term care insurance allowance. From age 30, the allowance is EUR 205 per month. These rates apply since winter semester 2024/25 and remain in force in 2026. Source: BMBF and the BAfoeG.
4How do I switch from GKV to PKV correctly?
You must apply to be exempted from compulsory GKV within three months of becoming insurance-liable. This is Section 8 paragraph 2 SGB V. Step 1: compare and pick a PKV plan. Step 2: submit the application with health questions. Step 3: file an exemption application at any public health insurer. Step 4: send the certificate to your university. The exemption is binding for your entire degree.
5What happens to my PKV after graduation?
After graduation, your situation depends on your career. As an employee earning up to EUR 77,400 gross per year in 2026 (BMAS social insurance figures), you go back to mandatory public health insurance. Above that threshold you can stay in PKV and receive an employer contribution under Section 257 SGB V. Self-employed graduates and civil servants normally remain in PKV.
6PKV for students over 30: what should I know?
Student public health insurance (KVdS) ends at age 30, unless special grounds apply, such as second vocational training or care duties (Section 5 paragraph 1 no. 9 SGB V). After that you usually become a voluntary member of GKV with a higher premium. Switching to PKV is still possible past 30 and sometimes even cheaper. Important: returning to GKV is effectively closed from age 55 (Section 6 paragraph 3a SGB V).
7I am an international student. Can I take out PKV?
Yes, international students can choose PKV if they are enrolled at a state-recognised university and have no entitlement to benefits under a bilateral social security agreement. This covers both EU students without an EHIC entitlement and students from non-EU countries. The student rate runs until your 30th birthday (Section 5 paragraph 1 no. 9 SGB V).
8Pre-existing conditions: can I still join PKV?
PKV requires a health declaration. You must disclose pre-existing conditions truthfully, otherwise the insurer can later reduce benefits (Section 19 VVG). For young, healthy students, acceptance is usually straightforward. Chronic conditions can lead to risk surcharges or exclusions. Comparing several insurers makes sense.
9Working student: do I get an employer contribution under PKV?
As a working student with private health insurance, you receive an employer contribution under Section 257 SGB V if your premium is above the threshold. The contribution is half of the general GKV rate (14.6%), capped at half of your actual PKV premium. Discuss this with your employer up front.
10How safe is my PKV policy if the insurer goes bankrupt?
All private health insurers in Germany are supervised by BaFin (Section 294 VAG). In case of insolvency, the statutory guarantee fund Medicator AG steps in (Section 221 ff. VAG). Premiums and benefits continue without interruption through a designated takeover insurer.
Sources and legal references
- Section 5 para 1 no. 9 SGB V (student insurance obligation)
- Section 8 para 2 SGB V (exemption from public insurance)
- Section 13a BAfoeG (health insurance allowance)
- BMAS social insurance figures 2026
- Verbraucherzentrale: Switching from PKV to GKV
Data and legal references as of: May 22, 2026 · meinetarife24 Editorial Team. We update this page regularly. The premiums and statutory references shown do not replace individual advice. For specific plan questions, contact a Verbraucherzentrale advisor or an independent insurance broker.
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