{
  "id": 10723928,
  "title": "Krankenversicherung: Privat oder Kasse: Welche Versicherung zum Studienstart?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/krankenversicherung-privat-oder-kasse-welche-versicherung-zum",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-29T15:16:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/krankenversicherung-privat-oder-kasse-welche-versicherung-zum-studienstart/100258398.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "When embarking on a university journey, one of the many decisions to be made is selecting the appropriate health insurance coverage. It's crucial not to overlook this choice, as it extends beyond mere paperwork. The Verbraucherzentrale Hamburg warns students about this matter. If you've previously been privately insured through your parents, you can continue this arrangement, but you'll need to opt-out of the statutory insurance obligation. If your parents are civil servants and you opt for private insurance, this decision will bind you to a private health insurer throughout your entire studies. This has financial implications. Initially, children of civil servants in the PKV typically receive 80% of coverage, meaning they only need to bear the remaining 20% of their medical costs personally. Consequently, the PKV premiums at the start of studies are relatively low. However, this family subsidy ends upon turning 25 years old, which also removes the Beihilfeanspruch (subsidy claim) of the PKV. Transitioning to the statutory health insurance system during studies is almost impossible, according to the Verbraucherzentrale. This is because a release from the statutory insurance obligation can only be revoked once the student's insurance obligation concludes - for example, upon starting a job with insurance responsibilities that triggers a new assessment of the insurance status. Therefore, students should ideally seek independent advice on the long-term consequences of both insurance paths before making a decision. If one parent is statutorily insured, students can remain cost-free members of the family insurance until their 25th birthday. Subsequently, they would pay approximately €140 to €150 per month for the statutory health insurance, including care insurance, depending on individual circumstances and the chosen Krankenkasse (health insurance company). This subsidized student health insurance (KVdS) remains valid until the age of 30. If one decides to continue studying, they can voluntarily opt for statutory insurance, but they should be prepared for higher contributions. The consumer advocates emphasize that the choice between statutory and private health insurance is not solely determined by the contribution at the beginning of studies. Students should investigate how financial strain might develop throughout their studies and afterwards, considering the possibility of extended study periods leading to financial pressure.",
  "summary": "Ist es sinnvoll, sich zum Studienstart von der gesetzlichen Versicherungspflicht befreien zu lassen? Studierende sollten vor der Entscheidung bedenken - günstige Beiträge zu Beginn sind nicht alles.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}