Health Insurance
To be enrolled at the University of Hamburg, you must have either statutory health insurance or an official exemption from it, obtained through a German Public Health Insurance provider. Without confirmation of your insurance status, we cannot complete your enrollment.
A German Public Health Insurance provider (e.g. AOK; Barmer GEK; TK; DAK) must verify your insurance status and inform the University. Once you receive your acceptance letter, please contact a provider and send them (1) proof of your current insurance and (2) a copy of your ID or passport. They will determine if your insurance qualifies for exemption. If it does, the provider will confirm your status to the University. For reference, the University's sender number is 16711009.
The following students are eligible for exemption from statutory health insurance:
- Students insured through a public provider in another European country with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
- Students with private health insurance that provides sufficient coverage for the entire study period (*note that any non-German public insurance must still be verified by a German Public Health Insurance provider).
- Students over the age of 30.
More information is provided here
If you do not qualify for an exemption, you may obtain insurance from any German health insurance provider. Germany offers two types of health insurance:
1) Statutory Health Insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung): Students pay a standard basic fee (about €120 if under 30), plus a small additional contribution based on the provider. This insurance allows you to visit doctors and hospitals freely, simply by showing your insurance card, as they will bill the provider directly. However, some treatments or medications may only be partially covered.
2) Private Health Insurance (Private Krankenversicherung): With private insurance, you may need to pay for services upfront and then submit bills to your insurance provider for reimbursement, or you may have them billed directly. Private insurance often includes additional benefits, such as private hospital rooms, depending on your plan. However, note that once you select private insurance, you cannot switch to statutory insurance later.
Make sure you have adequate health insurance coverage for your entire study period. You can arrange insurance either before arriving in Germany (via online application) or upon arrival. You may need to submit forms with a scanned signature and acceptance letter. Once confirmed, present your passport at one of your provider's local offices in Germany.
International students who will secure insurance only after arriving in Germany should notify us upon arrival. For those needing health insurance to apply for a visa, a temporary policy can cover the first three months. Once in Hamburg, they can arrange longer-term coverage.
Please note that travel health insurance is insufficient for studies in Germany. Do not rely on travel insurance for your entire stay.
Finally, due to German regulations, students must pay insurance contributions until the semester’s end (Winter Term: October 1–March 31; Summer Term: April 1–September 30). If you plan to leave before the semester ends, you must unenroll from the university and submit your unenrollment certificate to the insurance provider.
Guest students from Turkey:
You need the A/T 11 form (German-Turkish Social Security Agreement / Alman Sosyal Güvenlik Sözlesmesi) as a valid health insurance. If you are not entitled to this document, you need to get a German Student Health Insurance (ca. 110€ per month), either online, before your departure, or in person once you are in Hamburg. In case you prefer to do it when you are in Hamburg, please make sure to get a travel insurance before you come to Germany to cover the first days. Check the next point (Guest students from all other countries) for more information on German Student Health Insurance.