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For the self-employedPrivate or statutory when self-employedRequirements for the self-employedBest plans for the self-employedSwitching to private health insuranceIs private health insurance worth itCosts and protection
Costs for the self-employedDeductibleKrankentagegeldPremium relief planOld age for the self-employedWhich plan fits your self-employment?
Start the free analysis →Getting started
For civil servantsPrivate or statutoryRequirementsPublic sectorSwitching to private health insuranceBeihilfe
Beihilfe explainedRestkostentarifFreie HeilfürsorgeDienstherr (employer of civil servants)Beihilfe plans in the directoryDecision
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Start the family check →Health questions
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Start the anonymous check →Lower your premium
PolicyholdersPlan optimizationPlan change under § 204Right to change planDeducting premiums from taxPremium increase
Premium increasesPremium stabilityPremiums in old ageAgeing reservesSpecial right of cancellationBenefits and contract
BenefitsClaimCancelling your policyBack to statutory insuranceTerminated without noticeFor students, the choice of insurance sets the course for years. We show when private health insurance pays off and what the exemption means for your studies.
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A switch to private health insurance needs careful thought. The most important points before you decide.
A neutral comparison of the two insurance systems for students.
| Criterion | Statutory | Private |
|---|---|---|
| Premium | A fixed student contribution, or free family insurance up to age 25. | A low-cost student plan, calculated by age at entry and scope of benefits. |
| Family | Often covered free of charge through your parents up to age 25. | Your own contract, especially useful if your parents are privately insured. |
| Benefits | Care defined by law at a sufficient, appropriate and economical level. | A contract you can design individually, with guaranteed and often more extensive benefits. |
| Access | Often longer waiting times for appointments, and usually through the referral system. | Faster appointments and direct access to specialists. |
Real situations that show how individual the right solution is.
Switched to a low-cost student plan at the start of studies and secured strong benefits for a small premium.
Switched to a suitable private student plan instead of paying the compulsory student contribution.
Privately insured early and prepared the move into a doctors' plan after the final exams.
Thanks to low-cost student plans, private health insurance for students often costs between €150 and €250 per month. What matters are age at entry and scope of benefits. By comparison, the student contribution in statutory insurance is around €143 per month including long-term care insurance, or around €148 for childless students from age 23. The exact amount depends on the Zusatzbeitrag ZusatzbeitragThe additional contribution each statutory health insurance fund charges on top of the general rate. Its level differs from fund to fund.More about Zusatzbeitrag → of the statutory health insurance fund. For children of privately insured parents, private health insurance is often the choice with stronger benefits.
In statutory health insurance, students pay €87.38 for health insurance plus the Zusatzbeitrag of their fund. At 2.9%, this is €24.80. Long-term care insurance adds €30.78, or €35.91 for childless students from age 23. Together, this is around €143 per month, or around €148 without children, as long as free family insurance no longer applies. These values apply in 2026 and are expected to apply in 2027 as well. The planned long-term care reform would raise the rate for childless people to €38.48. In private health insurance, there are low-cost student plans from around €150. The exact premium depends on the scope of benefits you choose.
After your studies, the student plan ends and the premium rises to the normal level. This jump is planned for and should be taken into account when you start working. Over the years, you should expect rising premiums. This is why we look for a solid plan calculation.
Because you start early, ageing reserves are built up over many years. They cushion the premium in old age. The statutory surcharge of 10% ends from age 60. A premium relief plan lowers the premium in retirement even further.
During your studies, a suitable student plan keeps the premium low. Later, a deductible and an internal plan change under § 204 VVG lower the premium without changing insurer and without losing your ageing reserves.
| Parameter | Current status (statutory student insurance) | Target status (private student plan) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | around €143 | €180 | +€37 |
| Level of benefits | defined by law | much more extensive | better |
| Access to doctors | standard care | faster, free choice of doctor | better |
| Advantage from age at entry | none | lower premium for the future | long term |
Sample calculation based on average plans. For a premium that is only slightly higher, you get much better benefits. For children of privately insured parents, the comparison is even more clearly in favor of private health insurance.
Affordable plans for students who take out private insurance, rated on five key figures.
AM30A, S1A, Z8A
R-Exklusiv 1
KVS1A, EKV2A, PSVA
ME300S
Study Protect
AZ Comfort-U, AZ SP2
Our rating for each plan on a scale from 1 to 10. We deliberately show no monthly premiums, because the premium depends on age, health and scope of benefits.
Popular benefit modules you can choose in your private health insurance.
Private health insurance should cover at least 80% of high costs for dental treatment, crowns, implants and other dentures.
Often a cost driver: how important are these benefits to you? This is a personal decision.
Private health insurance should reimburse the important preventive checkups without restrictions.
Exam stress and big changes in life are part of studying. Outpatient psychotherapy should be covered without tight limits on sessions.
For semesters abroad and travel, treatment and the return transport to Germany should be included.
Private health insurance should pay for medically necessary aids such as hearing aids, bandages or orthopedic insoles.
Single or two-bed room and optional medical services, depending on the comfort you want in hospital.
We compare the entire market and find the plan with the best balance of benefits and stable premiums.
We show you what you should know before switching to private health insurance.
Yes. At the start of your studies, you can be exempted from compulsory student insurance and take out private insurance. This decision applies to your entire time as a student and cannot be reversed.
Above all for children of privately insured parents and for everyone who values strong benefits and free choice of doctor. A low age at entry also secures a low premium for the future.
After your final exams, the student plan ends. As an employee above the income threshold or as a self-employed person, you continue your private insurance. We plan this transition with you in good time.
Get all your questions answered, free of charge and without obligation.
Personal advice from our specialists. Response time: under 24 hours.
From the age of 55, admission to private health insurance is often possible only with restrictions. A late switch can also mean higher premiums.
It matters to us that a switch pays off for you in the long run. That is why we do not recommend a consultation when your answers already show that the conditions are rather unfavorable.
Not sure, or want to correct your answers? Feel free to contact us. We will help you assess your situation.
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