Health Insurance

General information about health insurance

All students at a German university/institute of higher education are obliged to hold statutory health and nursing care insurance (Section 5 [1] no. 9 of the German social security code, SGB V). German health insurance is also necessary in order to obtain a residence permit. If the German embassy in your home country requires health insurance for Germany, please only arrange travel insurance for the first one to three months of your stay (depending on your arrival and enrolment dates). You can then arrange German health insurance when you are in Germany and so will not have to pay twice. Citizens of EU member states or other countries with which Germany has appropriate social security agreements do not need to take out any additional health insurance in Germany. Valid (electronic) proof of existing insurance must be provided to the university at enrolment. If you hold a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can go directly to the doctor. Doctors' offices are familiar with the procedure. Simply complete a form there: declaration of the German insurance company to whom the medical services are chargeable. Students from countries which have social security agreements with Germany are able to obtain a certificate of medical treatment from a German statutory health insurance provider prior to visiting the doctor. Holders of an EHIC and students from countries with these agreements will, however, only be entitled to obtain emergency treatment. Screening check-ups are not covered by the EU health insurance card or social security agreements. If you wish to take up employment or begin an internship while studying, you must inform the insurance company in your home country. The insurance coverage at home ends at that moment. In these cases, a health insurance must be concluded with a German insurance company. 

Please note: The existing paper-based proof of insurance has been replaced at Otto von Guericke University by a paperless, automatic student reporting process. Therefore, from 1 January 2022 it will no longer be possible to register on paper. You can find more information here.

For students

All students studying at a university/institute of higher education in Germany are obliged to hold statutory health and nursing care insurance (Section 5 [1] no. 9 of the German social security code, SGB V). For this reason, every foreign student must also become a member of a public (statutory) health insurance fund or a substitute fund or obtain private insurance. Health insurance is mandatory for students up until 30 years of age. The member contribution to statutory health insurance funds (including nursing care insurance) currently amounts to around 120 EUR/month for students under 30 years old. Advantages of statutory health insurance:

  • Visit the doctor without any red tape by presenting a health insurance card
  • Affordable rate
  • Any pre-existing conditions are not relevant
  • All statutory and substitute health insurance funds have more or less identical rates, although individual services differ
  • Family members without their own income can be co-insured at no additional cost

When you turn 30 years of age, you can take out voluntary insurance with a statutory health insurance fund. Currently, the contribution for voluntary health insurance is approx.200 EUR/month. It is possible to compare rates and services here.

If you choose to obtain private health insurance at the start of your studies, you need to apply to be released from the obligation to obtain insurance from the public (statutory) fund. This does not apply to private travel insurance. This waiver from obtaining health insurance will be valid for the full duration of your studies.

Some private insurance companies offer student rates. It is possible to compare rates and services here.

Please note: At the time of enrolment, we need the electronic notification of your insurer proving your health insurance status. Please contact your health insurance company in this regard and provide them with our reference number H0001216 for the automatic exchange of data during the student enrollment process. Your health insurance issuer will then send the necessary notification to OVGU. You can find more information here.

For participants in German language and preparatory college classes

For the duration of courses to prepare for studies, participants in German language courses and preparatory college classes are not obliged to hold statutory health and nursing care insurance for students (Section 5 [1] no. 9 of the German social security code, SGB V). Nevertheless, it is a requirement to take out health insurance and provide proof at registration and to the immigration authorities. These students can take out voluntary insurance with a statutory health insurance or substitute fund if they can prove preceding insurance periods. The monthly contribution fees are currently approx. 200 EUR. It is also possible to obtain private health insurance. You can compare the services and rates of some insurance companies here. Disadvantages of private health insurance:

  • A prior examination of your state of health may be required
  • Pre-existing conditions may not be covered
  • Some insurance companies require you to pay for treatment in advance and then claim back the costs
  • Scope of services under primary health care
  • Increases in premiums
  • No co-insurance for dependants
  • Waiting periods (e.g. for pregnancies)

If students opt for a low-cost private (travel) insurance policy, they should make sure that the private health insurance provider confirms in writing that they are entitled to use primary health care services to which those insured by the statutory health system are entitled (in accordance with Section 11 [1-3] of the German social security code, SGB V). Otherwise, problems may arise with the Foreigners' Authority in Magdeburg. Please have the insurance provider fill in this form as proof. You can find out from the Foreigners' Authority or the International Office which private health insurance providers have already confirmed this to the Foreigners' Authority in Magdeburg. Note that low-cost (travel) insurance policies can only be taken out for a maximum of five years.

At the time of enrolment, we need the electronic notification of your insurer proving your health insurance status. Please contact your health insurance company in this regard and provide them with our reference number H0001216 for the automatic exchange of data during the student enrollment process. Your health insurance issuer will then send the necessary notification to OVGU.

When students start their studies, they must switch to statutory health insurance.

For PhD students

PhD students (without a separate employment contract) are not obliged to hold statutory health and nursing care insurance for students (Section 5 [1] no. 9 of the German social security code, SGB V). Nevertheless, it is a requirement to take out health insurance and provide proof at registration and to the immigration office. PhD students can take out voluntary insurance with a statutory health insurance or substitute fund if they can prove preceding insurance periods. The monthly contribution fees are currently approx. 200 EUR. Advantages of statutory health insurance:

  • Visit the doctor without any red tape by presenting a health insurance card
  • Affordable rate
  • Any pre-existing conditions are not relevant
  • All statutory and substitute health insurance funds have more or less identical rates although individual services differ
  • Family members without their own income can be co-insured at no additional cost

It is possible to compare statutory German health insurance funds on this consumer website.

You can also obtain private health insurance. Compare some providers here. Disadvantages of private health insurance:

  • A prior examination of your state of health may be required
  • Pre-existing conditions may not be covered
  • Some insurance companies require you to pay for treatment in advance and then claim back the costs
  • Scope of services under primary health care
  • Increases in premiums
  • No co-insurance for dependants
  • Waiting periods (e.g. for pregnancies)

Taking out a low-cost private (travel) insurance policy is not advised because exclusions and waiting times (e.g. in the case of pregnancy) have led to difficult situations in the past.
If PhD students do however opt for this solution, they should make sure that the private health insurance provider confirms in writing that they are entitled to use primary health care services to which those insured by the statutory health system are entitled in accordance with Section 11 [1-3] of the German social security code, SGB V. Otherwise, problems may arise with the Foreigners' Authority in Magdeburg. Please have the insurance provider fill in this form as proof. Students can find out from the Foreigners' Authority or the International Office which private health insurance providers have already confirmed this to the Foreigners' Authority in Magdeburg. Please carefully check the scope of services covered by private health insurance. Note that low-cost (travel) insurance policies can only be taken out for a maximum of five years.

Last Modification: 08.03.2024 - Contact Person: Webmaster