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Your guide to Germany. Healthy studying in Germany Your plan to study in Germany is now in place. We‘re glad to hear it. We want you to feel at ease here and to successfully complete your studies. A lot needs to be considered before you start, including the issue of health and insurances. This is a topic which AOK specialises in. We provide you and all our customers with comprehensive services, support and advice so you get the best possible solutions to meet your health needs. We have an extensive network of branch offices throughout Germany and are also available around the clock by phone and online. Detailed and up-to-date information on health and insurances is avai- lable at aok.de/internationalstudents. This brief brochure gives you an overview. Let‘s start. AOK Student Service AOK Student Service Do you have queries or need information? Then contact your local AOK Student Service. We will assist you. Detailed information is available at aok.de/internationalstudents. 2
Contents Social security system Health insurance for students AOK services and benefits Study and work 4 6 8 10 AOK – Always on call 12 Tips for your stay in Germany 13 Important advice and links 14 3
Good to be a part of. Studying and the social security system The German health care system may be slightly different from what you know from home. It is part of a comprehensive social security system to protect against risks to your livelihood whether you are working or studying. The German social security system comprises the following insurance schemes: • Health insurance • Long-term care insurance • Accident insurance • Unemployment insurance • Pension scheme Health insurance Health insurance in Germany is compulsory. This is a good thing because you are then covered in the event of illness. Solidarity is the principle behind the statutory health insurance scheme. Everyone is entitled to the same benefits no matter how high the health risk and how expensive the treatment. Students with little or no income have access to every service at a very reasonable student rate. Long-term care insurance Anyone in a statutory health insurance scheme is also automa- tically covered by long-term care insurance. This covers the risks of care needs, for example, following serious accidents or illness. 4
Pension and unemployment insurance Students are generally not required to pay contributions for these two insurance schemes. Accident insurance As a student you are insured against accidents at the university and on the journey between the university and your home. Fees are paid by the university. You pay nothing. Information on extended accident insurance can be obtained from your university’s foreign student office. Health insurance in Germany is compulsory! 5
Good for your health. Health insurance during your studies If you are studying in Germany, health insurance is required when you enrol. AOK health insurance offers maximum benefits at a very attractive student rate. advisor will inform you which terms and conditions are best for you. Family insurance Are you married and one or all of your family members are also in Germany with you? Family members may be able to benefit from family insurance. This requires your family to be at your place of residence or stay in Germany. AOK health insurance You receive optimal care when you get ill as well as optimal support to prevent illness. The statutory health insurance covers all medically necessary services in the event of accident or illness. When enrolled at a German university, you must present a certificate from your health insu- rance company at the beginning of the semester. We will send you the certificate. The health insurance is valid until you are 30 years old. You can then take out voluntary insurance. Your AOK 6
Voluntary insurance Are you over 30 years old? Then you can continue your health insurance with AOK at a very reasonable rate. It requires you to have been insured for at least 24 months, or a 12-month continuous period, in a German health insu- rance scheme during the past five years. Up-to-date information on voluntary insurance is available at aok.de/internatio- nalstudents Added benefit: Countries with social security agreements Social security agreements exist with some countries, including EU member states. Your health insur- ance coverage at home may, therefore, also be recognised in Germany. You will then receive an international insurance card, which is accepted by doctors and hospitals in Germany. All you need to do is provide us with proof of your health insurance. We do the rest. More information is available from your university’s foreign student office. 7
Why choose AOK? AOK health insurance: tailored to your needs If you are studying in Germany, health insurance is required when you enrol. AOK not only provides you with comprehensive protection in the event of illness, but also with extensive services and many extras. AOK Service • Freedom of choice | Choose from over 130,000 doctors and dentists. This includes general practitioners and specialists. • Inexpensive student rates | For all statutory medical services. • No advance payments | Simply show your AOK card to your doctor. The doctor will then send the invoice directly to us. • Recognition of your home country’s health insurance | When a social security agreement exists with your country. • Free family insurance | Family members living with you during your stay in Germany may be able to benefit from family insurance. • Always on call | Medical advice over the phone, 365 days a year, from a team of expert doctors and specialists. 8
AOK Benefits • No supplementary agreements • Advice and support | In all social security matters. • Help with chronic diseases | Special benefits and care services for chronic diseases. • Access to comprehensive medical care | In hospitals and clinics. A small personal contribution is required for treatment costs during the first 28 days of a year. • Free webinars | Including a webinar for international students on studying and working in Germany. • Latest information | On our website on prevention, illness and social security at aok.de/internationalstudents • Free extras | Such as yoga, fitness and nutrition courses. 9
Financing your studies. Study and work Studying costs money. Working while studying is therefore necessary for many. Stipends and part-time jobs are in great demand. Stipends and scholarships Do you want to know about scholarships or special funding schemes that you may be eligible for? The best thing to do is to speak to the local association for student affairs (Studentenwerk) at your university. Another useful contact is the German Academic 10
Exchange Service (DAAD). They are familiar with all the contacts and conditions for scholarships and other forms of funding. If you are awarded a scholarship, you are generally only permitted a small amount of extra income. Opportunities to earn extra money are therefore limited. This also applies if you come from a non- European country. Opportunities for work are also then limited. You therefore need to make a realistic assessment of your financial options before coming to Germany. Proof of financing will be required. The regulations in Germany are very strict and you may risk having to interrupt your stay. Short-term employment Together with the German National Association for Student Affairs (Studentenwerke), the German employment office (Agentur für Arbeit) operates an agency where you can inquire about short-term job vacancies. You need your certificate of enrolment, identity card and two passport photos. You should clarify in advance whether you can work while studying. It also depends on your country of origin. If you are from the EU or certain other European countries, there are no restrictions. Otherwise, you should enquire at the German Embassy or the foreign nationals’ offices (Ausländerbehörden) in Germany. Work and social security A part-time job can have financial implications on social security. This applies to both German and foreign students. AOK Student Service can advise you about when to expect increased costs. They can also provide advice on what special discounts are available for students. Studying costs money. But we can advise you! 11
Always nearby. AOK health insurance: always on call AOK health insurance offers maximum benefits at a very attractive student rate. AOK is one of the largest health insurance companies in Germany. During your stay in Germany, you’ll have access to all our services and bene- fits. This gives you optimal insurance cover in the event of illness. To get quick answers to queries and solutions to your needs, you can contact us in many ways. • Over 27 million members • Local services in your area • Contact by any channel: in person, phone, email • Personal advice and services on request, also at your home • AOK Student Service with a wide range of personal advisory services • Multilingual free service hotline for quick answers to your queries We work closely with universities. Our AOK Student Service with your own personal AOK advisor is located on or near your university campus. The quick route to information and to us! How does the German healthcare system work? What do I need for health insurance? What do I do in the event of illness? Our portal at aok.de/ internationalstudents gives answers to these and many other questions. It’s also the fastest route to our products, services and information. 12
Not to be overlooked! Tips for your stay in Germany We have put together several tips for your stay in Germany. Check which certificates are required by the study and examination regulations. Have you decided on specific lectures, seminars and courses? Apply for optional subjects at the student registry office (Studie- rendensekretariat). Information on courses, meet-ups, content and working groups is available on the internal online platforms of universities as well as on the notice boards of your institute or seminar. These also provide official information about the institute and the student associations. The university libraries are usually only reference libraries. This means that you can use the books and media on the premises rather than borrow them. All universities offer free German language courses that you can take alongside your studies to improve your language skills. Use the academic advisors (Fachstudienberater), who can give you valuable advice on your course. Remember to pay the semester fee in time for the semester start and to submit the documents to the student registry office (Studierendensekretariat). 13
More knowledge is worthwhile. AOK You can find AOK on the internet, in every telephone book and on or near campuses. Detailed information on health and social security can be found at: www.aok.de/internationalstu- dents Study in Germany www.study-in.de Association for Student Affairs The German National Associa- tion for Student Affairs (Studen- tenwerke) offers a wide range of advisory and other services related to studying and student life. www.studentenwerke.de AStA The General Student Committee (Allgemeine Studierendenaus- schuss) represents students at universities. They provide legal and social advice, housing, employment services and much more. The German Academic Exchange Service The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) provides infor- mation on everything around studying: visas and entry into the country, applications, enrolment, language skills, scholarships and much more: www.daad.de Admission restrictions Visit the university websites at: www.hochschulstart.de Recognition of university degrees www.anabin.de Information on courses www.hochschulkompass.de Scholarships • www.e-fellows.net/Studium/ Stipendien • www.stifterverband.org • www.stiftungen.org • www.stipendien-datenbank.de • www.mystipendium.de • www.stipendienlotse.de • www.daad.de 14
Your AOK has further health-related offers ready for you. Detailed information can be found at aok.de/internationalstudents or at your local AOK. Impressum Art.-Nr. 9370424 Stand September 2023 Herausgeber AOK. Die Gesundheitskasse. Konzeption, Redaktion und Gestaltung AOK-Verlag GmbH Lilienthalstraße 1–3 53424 Remagen aok-verlag.de Fotos AOK, AOK-Verlag GmbH, Getty Images Alle Rechte vorbehalten. Nachdruck sowie Verbrei- tung jeglicher Art, auch auszugsweise, nur nach vorheriger schriftlicher Genehmigung. 15