Health insurance

Academic staff are legally insured as employees of the University of Cologne.
Doctoral candidates who receive a scholarship and do not pursue any other employment must take out statutory or private insurance themselves in the status of so-called 'voluntarily insured persons'. Doctoral candidates do not belong to the group of students as defined by the German Social Security Code and are therefore not entitled to favourable special rates. It is best to compare the offers of different health insurance companies, as the contributions for voluntarily insured persons vary considerably.

 

Doctoral candidates from abroad

Below you will find general information. If you have any further questions, please contact the International Office. Please note that you must provide proof of comprehensive health insurance cover when you enter Germany. This also applies to family members who wish to travel to Germany with you. Travel health insurance is not sufficient as it does not cover the duration of your stay and only covers specific health risks when travelling.
If you have health insurance in your home country, please find out before you travel whether your health insurance is recognised in Germany. Germany has a social security agreement with EU countries and some other countries. The current list of countries can be found on the website of the German Health Insurance Liaison Office (only available in German).

If your health insurance cover in Germany is sufficient, you will receive a certificate of insurance (called Form S1 in the European Union) from the health insurance in your own country to confirm this.
If your health insurance is not recognized in Germany, you must enquire about valid insurance options in good time. Please note that you should already have valid insurance when you apply for a visa.

Scholarship holders of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) can take out DAAD group insurance if they wish. For all other international doctoral candidates, the framework contract of the Studierendenwerk  (Student Union) with private insurance providers offers a favourable option for insurance. Information on this framework agreement can be found on the website of the Studierendenwerk.
For advice on health and social insurance for international doctoral students, please contact the International Office.

The information provided by EURES (website of the European Commission) might also be helpful.