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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 available 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 infor- mation is available at aok.de/international students
Contents 04 Social security system 06 Health insurance for students 08 AOK services and benefits 10 Study and work 12 AOK – Always on call 13 Tips for your stay in Germany 14 Important advice and links 02 – 03 02 – 03
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 Health insurance comprises the following insurance schemes: Health insurance Health insurance in Germany is com- pulsory. This is a good thing because you are then covered in the event of illness. Solidarity is the principle Long-term care insurance behind the statutory health insurance Accident insurance scheme. Everyone is entitled to the same benefits no matter how high Unemployment insurance the health risk and how expensive the Pension scheme 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 automatically covered by long-term care insurance. This covers the risks of care needs, for example, following serious accidents or illness. 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 uni- versity. You pay nothing. Information on extended accident insurance can be obtained from your university’s foreign student office. »Health insurance in Germany is compulsory« 04 – 05
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. AOK health insurance Family insurance You receive optimal care when you Are you married and one or all of get ill as well as optimal support to your family members are also in prevent illness. The statutory health Germany with you? Family members insurance covers all medically neces- may be able to benefit from a family sary services in the event of accident insurance. This requires your family to or illness. be at your place of residence or stay When enrolled at a German university, you must present a certificate from your health insurance company at the beginning of the semester. We in Germany. Voluntary insurance will send you the certificate. The Are you over 30 years old? Then you health insurance is valid until you are can continue your health insurance 30 years old. You can then take out with AOK at a very reasonable rate. It voluntary insurance. requires you to have been insured for Your AOK advisor will inform you at least 24 months, or a 12-month which terms and conditions are best continuous period, in a German for you.
Added benefit: Count- ries 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 informa- tion is available from your university’s foreign student office. 06 – 07 health insurance scheme during the past five years. Up-to-date information on volun- tary insurance is available at aok.de/internationalstudents
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. Freedom of choice Free family insurance Choose from over 130,000 Family members living with you doctors and dentists. This inclu- during your stay in Germany des general practitioners and may be able to benefit from a specialists. family insurance. Inexpensive student rates Always on call For all statutory medical services. Medical advice over the phone 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 agree- ment exists with your country. 365 days a year from a team of expert doctors and specialists. + AOK Service
Advice and support In all social security matters. No supplementary agreements 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 inter- national students on studying and working in Germany. Free extras Such as yoga, fitness and nutrition courses. Latest information On our website on prevention, illness and social security at aok.de/internationalstudents AOK Benefits 08 – 09
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 schol- You therefore need to make a realistic arships or special funding schemes assessment of your financial options that you may be eligible for? The best before coming to Germany. Proof thing to do is to speak to the local of financing will be required. The association for student affairs (Studen- regulations in Germany are very strict tenwerk) at your university. Another and you may risk having to interrupt useful contact is the German Acade- your stay. mic Exchange Service (DAAD). They are familiar with all the contacts and conditions for scholarships and other Short-term employment forms of funding. If you are awarded a scholarship, you Together with the German National are generally permitted only a small Association for Student Affairs (Stu- amount of extra income. Opportuni- dentenwerke), the German employ- ties to earn extra money are therefore ment office (Agentur für Arbeit) limited. This also applies if you come operates an agency where you can from a non-European country. Oppor- inquire about short-term job vacancies. tunities for work are also then limited. 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 (Ausländer- behörden) in Germany. »Studying costs money. But we can advise you!« Work and social security AOK Student Service can advise you A part-time job can have financial about when to expect increased costs. implications on social security. This They can also provide advice on what applies to both German and foreign special discounts are available for students. students. 10 – 11
Always nearby. AOK health insurance: always on call AOK health insurance offers maximum benefits at a very attractive stu- dent 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 benefits. 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 infor- mation 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.
Not to be overlooked! Tips for your stay in Germany We have put together several tips for your stay in Germany. ü ü ü ü ü ü ü 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 asso- ciations. The university libraries are usually only reference libraries. This me- ans 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 (Stu- dierendensekretariat). 12 – 13
More knowledge is worthwhile. AOK You can find AOK on the internet, in every telephone book and on or The German Academic Exchange Service The German Academic Exchange Ser- near campuses. Detailed information vice (DAAD) provides information on on health and social security can be everything around studying: visas and found at: entry into the country, applications, www.aok.de/internationalstudents enrolment, language skills, scholar- ships and much more: www.daad.de Study in Germany www.study-in.de Association for Student Affairs The German National Association for Student Affairs (Studentenwerke) offers a wide range of advisory and other services related to studying and student life. www.studentenwerke.de AStA The General Student Committee (Allgemeine Studierendenausschuss) 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 represents students at universities. www.stifterverband.org They provide legal and social advice, www.stiftungen.org housing, employment services and www.stipendien-datenbank.de much more. www.mystipendium.de www.stipendienlotse.de www.daad.de
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. Stand Herausgeber Konzeption, Redaktion, Gestaltung und Produktion Fotos 93704 Juli 2020 AOK – Die Gesundheitskasse AOK-Verlag GmbH | Lilienthalstraße 1–3 | 53424 Remagen | aok-verlag.de AOK | AOK-Verlag GmbH | Getty Images Alle Rechte vorbehalten. Nachdruck sowie Verbreitung jeglicher Art, auch auszugsweise, nur nach vorheriger schriftlicher Genehmigung. 14 – 15