Health Insurance
As soon as you have received your confirmation letter confirming your place of study from the host university, it is time to organize your health insurance.
In order not to lose your student status at the HdM during your stay abroad, you generally have to stay enrolled with a Germany health insurance for the whole time while you are abroad.
Regardless of whether you spend your semester abroad in Europe or at a non-European university, you are responsible for ensuring adequate health insurance coverage.
In other European countries, those who are leagally insured with German health insurance can receive medical benefits across Europe, with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The card is valid in all countries of the EU and some other European countries. If you are legally insured in Germany, you do not need to apply for the European Health Insurance Card - it is automatically printed on the back of the insurance card.
Important: The European Health Insurance Card does not guarantee free treatment. Since the health systems vary greatly from one country to another, it is possible that services that you do not have to pay for in Germany are subject to a charge in other countries. Inform yourself also at your own health insurance company about ways of covering gaps in premiums.
In non-European countries, you usually need to take care of adequate additional health insurance coverage, that are required by the host institution and/or country. In many cases, you must take out a private health insurance for the entire duration of your stay. There are many providers in Germany.
Please note:
Some American universities require obtaining American health insurance, which is arranged upon arrival. If American health insurance is not require, only health insurance with specific standards will be accepted. The insurance must be approved in the US ("A-rated") and issue a corresponding insurance certificate, written in English. Please inquire with your host institution further, about which insurance is require for your study abroad.
At Australian universities, it is usually mandatory for the partner university to complete the Australian Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of your stay abroad, which provides basic insurance cover. Inform yourself about possible supply gaps. Depending on your own state of health, it may be advisable to take out additional private insurance coverage in Germany. Inform yourself also at your own health insurance company about ways of covering gaps in premiums.
Some countries require a physical exam or general health check under certain conditions for obtaining a visa or enrolling. This is common at some US (partner) universities and at other non-partner universities, mainly in Asia and Africa. For Australia, this is usually only obtained if a stay of more than 12 months is planned. Information about this is provided by the respective host university.