Insurance
In Germany, there are two main types of insurance that are important for students: health insurance and liability insurance.
Health Insurance:
If you are a student under 30 years old and studying full-time in Germany, you are generally required to have health insurance. There are two options for health insurance in Germany: statutory health insurance (gesetzliche Krankenversicherung or GKV) and private health insurance (private Krankenversicherung or PKV).
- Statutory health insurance (GKV): Students under 30 years old can usually be covered by their parents' statutory health insurance until they turn 25, so long as they are European and are not employed or earn more than a specific amount of money. If you are not covered through your parents' insurance, you can also choose your own statutory health insurance provider. They generally offer better prices and are therefore more popular. The biggest insurance companies are TK, Barmer, AOK and DAK.
- Private health insurance (PKV): Private health insurance is an option for students who do not meet the requirements for statutory health insurance or prefer additional benefits. However, private health insurance is not accessible for everyone and it can be more expensive than statutory health insurance. If the PKV is accessible to you, it has to be clarified individually.
Liability Insurance:
In addition to health insurance, liability insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung) is also important for students in Germany. Liability insurance covers any damages you may accidentally cause to third parties. For example, if you accidentally damage someone's property or cause an injury to someone, liability insurance can help cover the costs. Liability insurance is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended to protect yourself from potentially high financial liabilities. It is also usually quite cheap, starting at only 3€ per month.
If you are 30 years or older and studying in Germany, the same options for health insurance apply. You can choose between statutory health insurance or private health insurance based on your preferences and individual circumstances. Liability insurance is also recommended regardless of your age.
It is important to do thorough research and compare different insurance providers to find the best coverage and rates for your needs. Additionally, it is recommended to consult with an insurance advisor to understand the specific requirements and options available to you.
www.dak.de
https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/themen/krankenversicherung/grundprinzipien/aufgaben-und-organisation-der-gkv