Students also have to take out health insurance
German students, including MBA candidates, must have health insurance. Learn about mandatory coverage, family insurance, public vs. private options, and rules for international students.
Students also have to take out health insurance
In Germany, there are duties, regulations and laws that apply to everyone, regardless of gender, nationality or age. One of these duties is taking out health insurance, and it affects not only working people but also students. Below you will find detailed information about the existing health insurance obligation and the options for students.
Penalty for lack of protection threatens
The obligation to have health insurance has existed in the Federal Republic of Germany since April 2007. Almost two years after the introduction of compulsory statutory health insurance, the obligation to have private health insurance was also decided in January 2009. Since then, every citizen in Germany must have statutory or private insurance in case of illness.
A violation of the obligation can be expensive. If a citizen is found to be without protection, they will be asked to pay back contributions. These are levied retroactively from the time of the missing insurance. This can quickly result in a four-digit amount. If the uninsured period cannot be determined or is very long, the amount of the back payment is a maximum of 14 monthly contributions.
The obligation to have health insurance has led to a decrease in the number of people living in Germany without the required protection. When compulsory statutory health insurance was introduced, there were almost 200,000 people. Ten years later, the number was below 80,000.
Students also have to insure themselves
Anyone who is enrolled as a student at a university, college, or other educational institution in Germany must also take out health insurance. This also applies to an MBA as a distance learning course. Given their often limited financial means, students face the question of which health insurance to choose. After all, high costs can arise, which students with a low income can hardly afford.