TK · Techniker Krankenkasse
German public health insurance
For studying and working in Germany
6 months of complimentary incoming travel insurance · University M10 notification · Support in English throughout your application
- Typical student monthly contribution €141.16
- University enrolment M10
- Application support English
€141.16/month applies to eligible compulsory student members under 23 without children, among other conditions, and includes health and long-term care insurance. Students aged 23 or over without children normally pay €146.29/month. STU Insurance provides application assistance in English.
TK contributions explained
Students pay the applicable student rate. Employee contributions are based on gross salary. Health and long-term care insurance are shown separately.
| Your circumstances | Health insurance | Long-term care insurance | Monthly total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 23, without children | €110.38 | €30.78 | €141.16 |
| Age 23 or over, without children | €110.38 | €35.91 | €146.29 |
| With 1 child | €110.38 | €30.78 | €141.16 |
| With 2 children under 25 | €110.38 | €28.64 | €139.02 |
Health insurance includes TK’s supplementary contribution. Further eligible children may reduce long-term care contributions, and other arrangements such as family insurance may apply. €141.16 is not a universal minimum. Your TK contribution notice determines the actual amount.
Extensions may be available in special circumstances, subject to TK’s assessment. Enrolment alone does not qualify language students, preparatory students or most doctoral researchers studying after graduation for the rates above.
Employee contributions: based on salary
8.645%Standard employee share for health insurance
In 2026, TK’s total health insurance contribution rate is 17.29%, comprising the 14.6% general rate and a 2.69% supplementary contribution. Employee and employer normally each pay half.
Long-term care insurance is calculated separately and depends on age, children and the federal state where you work. Assessable income is subject to a statutory ceiling. Special employment situations follow their respective rules.
Who can apply for TK?
Check your insurance status first, then prepare your application documents.
University and exchange students
Bachelor’s, master’s and eligible exchange students at public or state-recognised universities in Germany. Age, existing insurance and employment affect the membership arrangement.
Read about university M10 notificationsEmployees and vocational trainees
Employees and vocational trainees (Azubi) in Germany qualify according to employment and income. Doctoral researchers and other researchers with employment contracts should also assess their position as employees first.
Apply and check your statusDoctoral researchers and other study stages
Doctoral researchers, scholarship holders and students over 30 need an individual assessment. Language courses and Studienkolleg preparatory courses do not normally qualify for compulsory student insurance.
Ask our English support team firstExplain your current insurance status when applying. Confirm whether you can join and when membership would start. Eligible family members may qualify for free family insurance, subject to TK’s assessment.
From everyday appointments to hospital care
TK is a German statutory health insurer. At providers accepting public insurance, statutory benefits are normally billed using your health insurance card.
| Benefit | Cover summary |
|---|---|
| GP and specialist care | Eligible consultations, examinations and medically necessary treatment. When booking, check that the practice accepts statutory health insurance patients. |
| Hospital treatment | Medically necessary inpatient treatment and standard hospital services. Adults generally pay €10 per day, for up to 28 days per calendar year. Eligible patients may be exempt. |
| Prescription medicines | Eligible prescribed medicines are covered under statutory rules. Adults normally pay 10% of the price, with a minimum of €5 and maximum of €10, never more than the medicine’s price. Exemptions may apply. |
| Dental care and preventive check-ups | Statutory dental treatment and preventive check-ups meeting age and frequency conditions. Dentures, optional materials and additional services may involve personal costs. |
| Pregnancy and family | Pregnancy check-ups, childbirth and related medical services under statutory rules. Family insurance eligibility is assessed separately. |
| Manage insurance online | Use the TK app or Meine TK to submit documents, obtain certificates, contact TK and manage selected insurance matters. |
Confirm costs in advance for private treatment, optional extras and services beyond statutory standards. Statutory co-payments and privately paid extras follow different rules.
Make use of your member benefits
Join the relevant programme, meet its conditions and submit evidence to receive the applicable subsidy or reward.
Health courses
€150/ course maximum subsidy
Recognised courses are normally reimbursed at 80%, up to €150 per course, for a maximum of two courses per calendar year. Certification and attendance or completion conditions apply. TK’s own courses may have separate full reimbursement arrangements.
Professional dental cleaning
€40/ year maximum subsidy
Members aged 18 or over can apply once per calendar year for up to €40 towards professional dental cleaning at a dental practice. Submit the invoice through the TK app.
Health bonus programme
€10/ eligible activity as a cash bonus
Join the TK-Bonusprogramm and complete recognised activities. Choose €10 in cash per eligible activity or €20 as a TK-Gesundheitsdividende credit towards eligible health expenses and purchases. The health credit is not a cash payment. Your total depends on the activities completed and the programme rules.
University enrolment requires an electronic M10 notification
M10 is sent directly to your university by a statutory health insurer. STU helps coordinate the application and notification request.
STU can help organise your university and application details. TK assesses your insurance status and sends the official notification.
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Check the university details
Have the exact name of your university ready.
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Apply for TK student insurance through STU
Complete the TK membership application online.
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Request the electronic notification
STU helps coordinate the digital process; TK sends the insurance status notification to your university.
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Confirm receipt with your university
Check your enrolment system. If a deadline is approaching, ask both the university and TK whether additional information is needed.
Submit your application and we will help with the next steps
Complete the TK membership application online without an application fee or bank details at this initial stage. We help you through the process, from application to completing your membership details and receiving your insurance card.
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Confirm your membership status
Explain whether you are a student, employee or doctoral researcher and describe your current insurance.
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Complete the application
Submit your basic details and provide university or employer documents as requested.
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Arrange the required confirmations
Check your insurance start date. Students should arrange M10 according to their university’s requirements.
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After receiving your visa
Provide your German postal address and payment details to complete the membership process and receive your TK health insurance card.
What else would you like to know?
Student contributions, doctoral status, M10 and cover on arrival.
Contact our teamDo €141.16 and €146.29 include long-term care insurance?
Yes. In 2026, student health insurance costs €110.38/month. Long-term care normally costs €30.78 for members under 23 without children, or €35.91 from age 23 without children. Contributions for parents and other circumstances follow the applicable rules.
Can doctoral researchers pay student rates?
Doctoral enrolment alone normally does not qualify for compulsory student insurance rates. Doctoral studies begun after graduation generally fall outside KVdS. Employed researchers are assessed according to their employment; scholarship-funded researchers should check eligibility for arrangements such as voluntary membership.
Can language students or Studienkolleg students apply?
These stages do not normally qualify for compulsory student health insurance. Eligibility for TK under another status must be assessed individually. If you do not qualify, arrange cover suitable for your current stage and check your options again when starting a university degree.
Does my insurance end immediately when I turn 30?
Student rates normally continue until the end of the semester in which you turn 30, with possible extensions in special circumstances. You then need an eligible membership arrangement confirmed by TK. Contributions are recalculated; the student rate does not automatically continue.
Can I arrange M10 before my insurance card arrives?
M10 is transmitted electronically and does not depend on receiving a physical insurance card. Your insurance status must first be confirmed and accurate university details supplied. Contact TK or request it through your member account.
Do I still need M10 if I already have private insurance?
Universities normally still require an electronic insurance status notification from a statutory health insurer. Submit your private insurance confirmation so the statutory insurer can assess whether an exemption or other status confirmation is needed. Arranging M10 does not itself mean you have joined TK.
Is STU support a TK hotline?
The email contact on this page belongs to STU Insurance, which provides application information and assistance in English. You can also use the Insurance support chat button on this website for general questions. TK makes membership assessments, issues contribution notices and determines medical benefits and official insurance decisions.
Preparing to study or work in Germany?
Complete the TK membership application online and ask about our complimentary 6-month incoming travel insurance offer.
Online support in English
Use the Insurance support chat button on this website for general questions.
Email our team
[email protected]
Health insurer: Techniker Krankenkasse (TK). This page is provided by STU Insurance for product information and application assistance in English.
Eligibility, the start of membership, contributions and benefits are governed by current statutory rules and TK’s confirmation. Product information and rates checked: 5 October 2026.