Setting Up Health Insurance in Germany
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany from day one. As a student under 30, you qualify for the subsidised student rate, see the current 2026 figure and insurer comparison below (this page previously quoted a 2024 figure that has since risen).
The 2026 student rate, and which insurer to pick
Roughly €148/month in 2026 — up from the €120/month figure this page previously stated, which was current for 2024. It’s calculated as a percentage of a fixed €855/month reference rate, not a flat number the law sets directly.
| Insurer | Full name | English support | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| TK | Techniker Krankenkasse | Full English website, app, and phone support | Most international students — the default recommendation in nearly every comparison guide checked |
| AOK | Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse | Some English materials, varies by regional AOK | Largest network of local branches if you want in-person support |
| Barmer | Barmer Ersatzkasse | English-language app and onboarding materials | A close second to TK for international-student-friendly digital service |
| DAK | Deutsche Angestellten-Krankenkasse | Growing English support, less mature than TK/Barmer | Students who already have a DAK-insured family member or employer link |
Aggregated from multiple independent 2026 comparison guides that converge on roughly €140-152/month (this session could not fetch an insurer's own tariff page to confirm the exact current figure) — confirm the exact monthly rate with your chosen insurer before budgeting around it. The rate is calculated as a percentage of a fixed €855/month reference amount, not set as a flat euro figure in the statute itself, which is why it moves when that reference rate does.