When students and trainees may access PKV

Private health insurance is available to students and trainees under special conditions defined by the insurer. These are not the same conditions that apply to employees.

You may be eligible if all of the following apply:

You are aged 21 to 39
You are a student at a public or state-recognized university, or you are completing a compulsory practical placement (Pflichtpraktikum) as part of your degree — or you are a trainee (Azubi) in a recognized vocational program
You are not subject to compulsory statutory insurance (keine GKV-Pflicht)
Your income does not exceed the JAEG (Jahresarbeitsentgeltgrenze)

Proof of enrollment or training status is required.

When GKV obligation blocks private insurance

If you are subject to compulsory statutory insurance, you cannot opt into PKV through this route. Common scenarios where GKV obligation applies:

You are employed with earnings subject to social insurance contributions
You are a student who did not opt out of GKV within the initial exemption window
You are a trainee whose training contract triggers mandatory GKV enrollment

The distinction is critical: unlike employees, students and trainees cannot bypass GKV obligation by earning above the threshold. The normal JAEG logic for employees does not apply here.

Why this is not the same as employee PKV access

Employee PKV

Earn above the JAEG threshold → you can choose PKV. Employer pays ~50% of your premium. Full tariff with aging reserves. Designed as a long-term arrangement.

Student / Trainee PKV

Special-case access through exception conditions. No employer subsidy. No aging reserves during training. Designed as a transitional solution with a defined exit path.

The age window: 21 to 39

The special training-phase conditions are available to persons aged 21 to 39. During this window:

Premiums are adjusted at ages 26, 31, and 36 to match the new-entry premium for that age bracket
No aging reserves are accumulated — this is the trade-off for lower premiums during the training phase
On reaching age 40 (or on leaving studies/training), a transition to a regular tariff is required

Tariff structure and refund

Students and trainees can be insured via the established ARAG product range:

Each is available in a dedicated training-phase version. The coverage scope — outpatient, inpatient, dental — is identical to the regular tariff. The differences are structural: no aging reserves and a different refund model.

Refund for claim-free periods:

In student/trainee tariffs, the flat refund for claim-free periods is up to €450 per year (tariff-dependent). This differs from the regular tariff refund structure. The exact amount is subject to annual insurer decision and is not a fixed guarantee.

Frequently asked questions

Can students in Germany choose private insurance?

Yes — under specific conditions. Students aged 21–39, enrolled at a public or state-recognized university, who are not subject to compulsory statutory insurance and do not earn above the JAEG, can access PKV in a dedicated training-phase tariff. This is a special-case route, not the normal employee path.

What about trainees / Azubis?

Trainees (Azubis) in recognized vocational programs can also access PKV under the same conditions: aged 21–39, no GKV obligation, no income above the JAEG. The same tariff options and training-phase rules apply.

What happens if I become subject to statutory insurance?

If GKV obligation begins (e.g. through employment with mandatory social insurance), you can no longer remain in the student/trainee PKV tariff. You must transition to GKV. To preserve your favorable entry conditions for later, you can take out a small or large Anwartschaft on the corresponding regular tariff. Full transition guide →

Do these tariffs build aging reserves?

No. Student and trainee tariffs do not build aging reserves (Altersrückstellungen). This keeps premiums lower during the training phase but means that aging reserves only begin when you transition to the regular tariff. The earlier you transition, the more time your reserves have to accumulate.

Can I later switch into a normal tariff?

Yes. When the training phase ends and you qualify (e.g. income above JAEG, or self-employment), you can transition into the corresponding regular tariff — without a new health assessment. You can also optionally add daily sick pay insurance (Krankentagegeld) at that point. Full transition guide →

What happens if I earn above the threshold?

If your income exceeds the JAEG while still a student/trainee, the special training-phase conditions no longer apply. Depending on your situation, you may transition to the regular tariff (if eligible) or be required to move to GKV. This requires individual assessment.

Navigate

After graduation — transition, continuation, Anwartschaft →

← Back to Students & Trainees overview

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