Health Insurance

Official Definition

Health insurance for the start of the stay. Students under 30 at a state or state-recognised university join statutory insurance when they enrol, so incoming or travel health insurance for the first three months is enough for the visa; students aged 30 or over, and students at a Studienkolleg or language course, need private insurance for the whole visa that is not limited to emergencies.

What Consular Officers Look For

Students up to the age of 30 at a state or state-recognised university are covered by statutory health insurance once they enrol. For the visa they need insurance until that cover begins: incoming or travel health insurance valid for the first three months in Germany is enough.

Students aged 30 and over are generally no longer eligible for statutory insurance and need private insurance, as do students at a Studienkolleg or language course and applicants looking for a university place. Private insurance must last the whole visa, cover outpatient and inpatient treatment and must not be limited to emergencies; travel health insurance is, as a rule, not enough for them.

See the shared guide to health insurance for how to read a certificate.

Evidence Strength

Common Refusal / Processing Triggers

Tips for Strengthening Your Evidence

Relevant Document Types

Typical uploads: an incoming or travel health insurance certificate showing the insured person, dates and cover, or a private health insurance policy covering outpatient and inpatient treatment.