Is the insurance for Master's students different from that for Bachelor's students?

No, master's students also benefit from the GKV student tariff like bachelor's students — the same rules apply. Only the age limit (over 30) can lead to a switch to different insurance tariffs.

#Master's Student Insurance Rules

#Things That Are The Same

• Under 30 years old: Student tariff (~131 €/month) — Same as for bachelor's
• Over 30 years old: Mandatory PKV (private) (~230-280 €/month)
• Pflegeversicherung included
• Choice of insurance company is the same (TK, AOK, Barmer etc.)

#Things That Can Be Different

• High probability of being over 30 years old — master's is usually started between 23-32 years old
• Impact of work income on Werkstudent tariff — master's students work more often (Werkstudent + 1,000+ €/month)
• Family insurance (Familienversicherung) — same rules apply for the spouse/children of a master's student

#Master's Student Over 30 Years Old

#Scenarios

#Scenario 1: Starting a Master's at 30+ Years Old

• Student tariff ended — PKV (private insurance) or Freiwillige GKV
• Monthly premium: 180-280 €

#Scenario 2: Bachelor's Finished at 28, Master's at 30

• During bachelor's, on student tariff
• At the start of master's, 29 years old → still on student tariff
• After 30th birthday, switch to PKV

#Scenario 3: Starting Work After Master's Before Age 30

• Bachelor's + Master's completed, after graduation you became a full-time employee, not a Werkstudent
• Automatic switch to employee insurance

#Advantages for Master's Students

#Werkstudent Status More Effective

• Master's students can work up to 20 hours a week as a Werkstudent
• During this period, exemption from employee insurance applies (only pension contributions are deducted)
• Bachelor's students also benefit from the same right, but master's students generally expect higher salaries

#Monthly Family Budget

• Master's students may have a spouse / children
• Can insure family for free with Familienversicherung (condition: income below 535 €)

#Insurance Strategy for Master's

#If You Are Under 30:

• TK Studierende or AOK Bayern/Berlin Studierende — student tariff (~131 €/month)
• Use a bonus program (1 check-up per year → 15%+ additional contribution for future crowns/bridges)

#If You Are Over 30:

Choose Freiwillige GKV:

• Reversible (if you return to Turkey, GKV can be opened again upon returning to Germany)
• Family insurance can be used
• Cheaper than PKV (~160-200 €/month)

Be careful with PKV:

• Returning to GKV is impossible until over 55 years old
• If you return to Turkey, PKV application can be opened again upon returning to Germany, GKV is no longer possible
• If you plan to work in Germany after your master's, PKV is expensive in the long term

#Insurance Transition After Master's

#Graduated + Found a Job (Full-Time)

• Student insurance → employee insurance automatic transition
• 14.6% GKV from salary (half paid by employer → 7.3% net deduction)
• You can continue with the same insurance company

#Graduated + Still Looking for a Job (Job Search Visa)

• You can stay in Germany for 18 months
• Insurance is mandatory: Student tariff ends
• Freiwillige GKV or short-term visa insurance (Hanse Merkur)
• ~160-180 €/month

#Graduated + Starting PhD

• PhD student status → GKV student tariff continues (under 30 years old)
• PhD over 30 years old → Freiwillige GKV or PKV

#Frequently Asked Questions During Master's

#"My master's extended by 1.5 years, will my insurance change?"

• Even if the master's duration extends, insurance continues as long as your student registration is active
• After the 14th semester (max 7 years of study), the insurance company may inquire

#"Master's + Werkstudent in parallel — who pays for insurance?"

• You pay (GKV student tariff 131 €/month)
• Your employer does not contribute to insurance (for Werkstudent)

Related: Werkstudent insurance | Over 30 years old.