GERMANY · CHAPTER 14
Health insurance,bank and phone.
Students under 30 generally join statutory health insurance at the student rate. A German bank account is needed for rent and the blocked-account payouts.
Published by Althéa Consulting · Adviser: Harshita Kohli
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Essentials
- Statutory insurance (student rate) or eligible private plan
- Family doctor (Hausarzt)
- Current account with IBAN
- Prepaid SIM or contract
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Health insurance choice
Students under 30 in a degree programme usually join public health insurance (such as TK, AOK, Barmer or DAK) at a student rate of about €140 a month. Some students over 30 or in preparatory courses take private insurance. Your university needs proof of insurance to enrol you.
WHERE TO GO NEXT
Keep going: the pages that help next.
Each card says what you will find there. Looking for something else? See every page on the site.
GERMANY GUIDE
First weeks in Germany
Anmeldung, enrolment, health insurance, bank account, tax ID, residence permit and the broadcasting fee after arriving in Germany.
GERMANY GUIDE
Safety, wellbeing & emergencies
112 and 110, the 116 117 doctor line, free counselling, the Embassy of India in Berlin, blocked-account and housing scams, and discrimination help.
GERMANY GUIDE
Part-time work
International students in Germany can work 140 full or 280 half days a year, or up to 20 hours a week. Student jobs, Werkstudent roles and rules.
FROM INDIA
Sending money abroad
Pay foreign university fees from India: LRS limit of USD 250,000, TCS from April 2026 (nil on loans, 2% above ₹10 lakh), Form A2, forex cards and TCS refunds.
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FRANCE
Study in France
The full France guide: degrees, fees, Campus France, visa, housing and work, chapter by chapter.
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