Which health insurance do I need to enrol at FAU: public or private?

You cannot enrol at FAU without sorting out health insurance first. This summary covers the rules FAU and the law describe; the decision for your case is made by a German statutory insurer (gesetzliche Krankenkasse).

The key rules

• Enrolment needs an electronic notice. FAU only enrols you once a German statutory insurer has sent the electronic insurance notice (M10) to the university. Paper letters and insurance cards are not accepted.
• Private insurers do not take part in this electronic procedure. Even with private insurance you need a statutory insurer to check your policy and send the notice of exemption.
• Students are compulsorily insured in statutory insurance up to the age of 30 (§ 5 (1) No. 9 SGB V). After 30, student insurance only continues if the type of education or family or personal reasons justify it.
• Exemption is possible (for example with private or recognised foreign insurance), but you must apply within three months after compulsory insurance begins, and the exemption cannot be revoked (§ 8 SGB V). It stays in place for your studies.

Steps

1. Before enrolment, contact a German statutory insurer of your choice.
2. If you come from a country without a social security agreement with Germany, the insurer first checks whether your home cover is recognised. If it is not, you need German statutory or private insurance.
3. If you choose statutory insurance, the insurer sends the M10 notice to FAU (takes a few working days).
4. If you want private insurance, have a statutory insurer check the policy before you sign it; some policies do not meet the requirements.
5. Enrol at FAU, then use your insurance proof for the residence permit.

What it costs (as of January 2026)

Statutory student insurance:

• Health insurance: €87.38 per month, plus the insurer's own additional contribution (Zusatzbeitrag), which differs between insurers.