Can I work while studying in Germany and keep my student health insurance?
Yes, students in Germany can work while studying and remain on student health insurance, as long as their studies are their primary occupation and paid employment stays secondary. Under these conditions, students are responsible for their own health insurance contributions, as the employer does not contribute.
What types of employment let me keep my student health insurance?
Students can work in any of the following arrangements and remain exempt from full social security contributions:
Mini-job: You may earn up to €603 per month, regardless of how many hours you work.
Short-term employment: The position must be limited from the start to a maximum of 3 months or 70 working days.
Working student contract: You may work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the semester. You are allowed to exceed 20 hours per week during semester breaks, up to a combined total of 26 weeks per year.
Paid internship during studies: The insurance rules depend on whether the internship is mandatory or non-mandatory. Mandatory internships are always exempt from social contributions regardless of salary or working hours, so you can keep your student health insurance. Non-mandatory paid internships follow working student rules, meaning you can work up to 20 hours per week and retain your student insurance regardless of earnings. If you work more than 20 hours per week in a non-mandatory paid internship, you are considered a regular employee and must enroll in public health insurance as an employee.
What happens if I work more than 20 hours per week on a regular employment contract?
If none of the qualifying contract types apply and you work more than 20 hours per week on a regular employment contract, you must be insured through your employer rather than as a student. Student health insurance no longer applies in this case.
Are there special rules for international students on a residence permit?
Yes, students in Germany on a residence permit are generally allowed to work part-time (up to 20 hours per week) during the semester, and full-time (up to 40 hours per week) during semester breaks. Over the course of a year, this corresponds to a maximum of 120 full days or 240 half days of work without requiring approval from the German Employment Agency. These work hour rules align with standard student visa restrictions.
I'm an EU/EEA student currently on my home country's insurance. Do I need to switch when I start working?
Yes. Students from EU/EEA countries or countries that have a social security agreement with Germany who are currently covered by their home country's insurance must switch to German health insurance once they begin any of the qualifying types of employment.
Students under 30 can enroll in student public health insurance, and students over 30 can enroll in expat health insurance. An exception applies to students insured in Denmark, Luxembourg, or Austria: due to additional bilateral agreements, those students may remain on their home country's insurance even when working in Germany.