You need to take out health insurance before you start your studies - other insurances can offer additional protection.
Health insurance
Students must take out health insurance in order to enrol at a university in Germany. Most students choose student health insurance with a statutory health insurance provider.
Exceptions:
- Students over 30 years of age
- Students from the 14th semester onwards
- Doctoral students
- Students who work more than 20 hours per week
- Students with entitlement to family insurance (up to 25 years of age)
Students from the EU/EEA
Students from the EU/EEA or countries with a social security agreement (e.g. Turkey, Serbia) do not have to take out German health insurance if they can prove that they are insured in their home country. To do this, they need either a certificate from their home health insurance fund or the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Privately insured students
Students who come from a non-EU/EEA country and are privately insured can use their home insurance if they present a confirmation from their insurance company. They must ensure that their insurance will also cover all costs in Germany. Travel insurance is not sufficient.
Working during your studies
Students who work or earn money in Germany (e.g. internship or thesis) must also have health insurance, even if they have home insurance. In this case, proof must be provided that the insurance covers all necessary medical services in Germany.
Special cases
From the age of 30 or after the 14th semester, students can only choose private health insurance or voluntary statutory insurance. The rates of private insurance vary greatly.
Important note:
Private travel or emergency insurance is not valid health insurance for studying in Germany.
Accident insurance
As a student, you are legally insured against accidents within the university and on the way between the university and your home. In addition, you are covered by accident insurance through the Studierendenwerk Ulm in your free time and during internships/exam preparation activities for your studies outside the university, including abroad, if these accidents result in disability or death. Further information here.
As a rule, you are also covered by accident insurance through your employer for all jobs during your studies, during semester breaks or during an internship. You do not pay contributions, your employer does.
Liability insurance
In addition to health insurance, we strongly recommend that you take out liability insurance. For example, it pays compensation for an accident caused by you through negligence on your bicycle or in part for the loss of your apartment key.
