A health insurance is a must-have for international students in Darmstadt, Germany. If you have secured admission at a university/ college in Darmstadt, then it’s time to apply for a health insurance. A health insurance in Germany can cost between EUR 130 and EUR 150/ month. While most of the students are eligible to get public health insurance, those who are above 30 years and are pursuing language courses, Ph.D. courses, or preparatory courses must apply for a private health insurance. Keep reading to learn all about health insurance for students in Darmstadt, Germany.
Do international students need health insurance?
Yes, all international students need health insurance in Germany. Whether you need it privately or publicly, you need to have it to avoid any kind of hassles late. If you do not have health insurance, then you might not be provided with a German student visa. Students who are more than 30 years of age can go with private insurance during your term. If you are less than 30 years old and a student, then you can go with public health insurance.
How can students get health insurance?
Students in Germany can get health insurance in two ways:
- Public health insurance: Most students who are under the age of 30 and are pursuing a regular degree program can enroll in the public health insurance system. When you apply for the insurance, you need to select from different statutory health insurance providers in the city. You just need to provide them with the required documents and you can get the insurance.
- Private health insurance: There are few students who are not eligible for public health insurance. Such people are eligible for private health insurance. Students who are over 30 years of age, pursuing a non-regular degree program, or are Ph.D students, guest scientists, or researchers can apply for this insurance. Before you get admission to the university, you need to have health insurance. This is one of the first steps which you need to keep in mind.
Is health insurance free for the students?
In Darmstadt, the health insurance is not free for the students. However, it is heavily subsidized, thus making it easy for the students to afford it easily. There are many health insurance available. Look into what suits your pocket the best and go for it.
How much does public health insurance cost when in Germany?
Public health insurance costs around €130 to €150 per month. Earlier the tariffs were different. The cost of public health insurance will depend on various factors like the age of the person, whether you have kids, or the provider. However, most of the providers have the same cost for the insurance.
The public health insurance policies generally come at a discounted price for the students. The prices which you see are some of the bests in the city. Students pay around 70% of the general contribution rate. Here is the list of some of the best health insurance providers in Germany:
- BKK firmus
- Hkk Krankenkasse
- Techniker Krankenkasse
- HEK (Hanseatische Krankenkasse)
- BKK ProVita
- Continentale BKK
- KKH Kaufmannische Krankenkasse
Who is eligible for private health insurance in Germany?
Some choose public healthcare insurance and some go with private insurance. The eligibility for the insurance is completely dependent on the employment status as well as salary. For instance, if you earn less than €66,600 a year, then you might go with public healthcare. You can apply for private healthcare if you fall into the below groups:
- Some who are getting more than €66,600 a year
- Self-employed
- Students who are more than 30 years of age
- Students who have enrolled themselves in preparatory courses or language courses
- Guest scientists, Ph.D. students, scholarship holders
Wrapping Up
If you are a student going to Darmstadt, then you need to do a few things like looking for health insurance, booking student accommodation in Darmstadt, searching for roommates, exploring the neighborhood, and so on. So, if you are excited about your journey abroad, then it is best to start preparing as early as possible. You can easily book everything beforehand and if you need any help, you can connect with a consultant. Ensure that you stay in touch with your university and get all the information needed. Be proactive to have an amazing time in the new place.
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