“Better safe than sorry.” Many Germans seem fond of this old saying.
An important aspect of studying in Germany is finding suitable Insurance to cover all unexpected risks. In Germany, you can get coverage for nearly everything. Your priority when coming to Germany should be Health Insurance, it is mandatory, and there are a few more insurances that are good to have:
🔒 Mandatory
This is your top priority when moving to Germany. Every resident, including students, must have health insurance—either public or private. Without it, you cannot enroll at a university or even get a residence permit.
2. Liability Insurance / 3rd Party Insurance (Haftpflichtversicherung)
🧯 Highly Recommended
Under German Civil Law (BGB), anyone can be held financially responsible without limit if they accidentally harm another person or damage someone else’s property.
Examples:
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Accidentally breaking a friend’s TV.
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Knocking over a vase in a store.
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Causing injury while biking or skiing.
🔹 Cost: €30 – €120 per year (depends on whether you’re single, in a couple, or family)
🔹 Coverage Amount: Usually from €5 million up to €50 million
Most Germans consider this a must-have, especially for students and families.
3. Household Insurance (Hausratversicherung)
🏠 Recommended for tenants and homeowners
This insurance covers the loss or damage of personal belongings due to:
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Fire
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Water damage (e.g., from leaking pipes)
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Storm & hail
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Theft (including burglary and some types of simple or trick theft)
It can even cover items during travel in some cases.
🔹 Cost & coverage depend on your postal code and apartment size
🔹 Optional: Valuable items like gold or jewelry can be insured separately with prior valuation
4. Legal Insurance (Rechtsschutzversicherung)
⚖️ Good to have, especially for working professionals
Legal issues are on the rise due to increasing complexity in work, rent, and online activities. Legal insurance helps cover the costs if:
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You are sued or need to sue
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You face issues with your landlord, employer, or in traffic
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You unknowingly commit copyright violations (e.g., online streaming)
Coverage Areas:
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Personal Law
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Labor Law
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Traffic Law
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Tenancy Law
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Extended Legal Support
🔹 Cost: €280/year (standard), €380/year (premium) approx
🔹 Coverage: Usually unlimited
🔹 Note: Cheaper if you’re a single, employed person and not self-employed
✅ Summary
| Insurance Type | Mandatory | Annual Cost Range approx | Key Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Insurance | Yes | Varies (public/private) | Covers medical expenses |
| Liability Insurance | No | €30 – €120 | Covers damages to others/property |
| Household Insurance | No | Varies | Protects personal belongings |
| Legal Insurance | No | €280 – €380 | Covers legal fees and lawsuits |
These are general guidelines, and coverage should be tailored to your personal needs. It’s always a good idea to compare providers before signing up. When in doubt, consult with a trusted insurance advisor or your university’s international office.