How we earn our money
We finance our services on how-to-germany.com through affiliate programs.
When a user orders a financial product through our site and their application is approved, we may receive a commission from some providers. It’s important to note that this does not in any way influence our independent ratings and recommendations.
All the products we present on how-to-germany.com are selected for their quality, range of services, and excellent value for money.
German Dental Insurance for Students
- Statutory health insurance (GKV) is mandatory for most students under the age of 30 and includes basic dental care, such as check-ups and standard fillings.
- Advanced treatments, such as ceramic crowns, implants, or professional teeth cleanings, are only partially reimbursed — or not reimbursed at all.
- Private supplementary dental insurance helps reduce out-of-pocket expenses and can cover up to 100% of major treatments.
- Premiums for student-friendly plans start at around €10–15 per month, with optional add-ons like orthodontics.
- Digital insurers like ottonova, Getsafe, and Feather offer easy signup, bilingual service, and transparent contracts tailored for international students.
Understanding student health insurance in Germany
Health insurance is mandatory for all German residents and, therefore, also for international students. Whether you’re from the EU, a non-EU country, coming for a temporary study visit, or completing your entire degree in Germany — you will need a German health insurance.
Most students are insured through statutory health insurance (GKV). Still, some are eligible for private health insurance (PKV).
Understanding how the German health care system works — and what dental care is included — is essential for making the right choice for your student health insurance.
Germany’s healthcare system: Statutory vs. private insurance
Germany’s healthcare system is based on two main pillars:
- Statutory health insurance covers approximately 88% of the population, which is the majority of German residents. The contribution to public health insurance is typically 14.6% of gross income; however, special and particularly favorable contribution rates apply to students. Additional contributions of 2.5% on average are paid to the 94 statutory health insurance funds. Spouses and children up to the age of 25 with a low or no income can be insured free of charge under family insurance.
- Private health insurance is based on individual contracts between the policyholder and the insurance company. The benefits depend on the selected tariff. Premiums are risk-based, depending on age, health, and the scope of services. Every insured person, including spouses and children, requires a separate policy.
Access to private health insurance in Germany is strictly regulated. Only individuals who are not required to have statutory health insurance can take out private insurance. This includes employees with a gross salary above the compulsory insurance threshold, currently set at a minimum of €73,800, as well as civil servants, freelancers, self-employed individuals, and students under specific conditions.
Health insurance in Germany for students
Germany requires every student to have valid health insurance — either under statutory insurance or with a private insurance provider.
Students from EU countries with public health insurance in their home country can, at least initially, use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access healthcare services in other EU countries. However, if you are in paid student employment or completing an internship as part of your studies, you will need German health insurance.
Statutory student health insurance (GKV)
Most students under the age of 30 or within the first 14 semesters of their studies are eligible for reduced-rate public health insurance.
Regardless of the public health insurance fund you choose, the contribution for statutory student health insurance is €87.38 per month (2025). Including contributions to nursing care insurance and any additional contributions required by your health insurance fund, students in the GKV pay between €130.56 and €144.24 per month.
Students in private health insurance
During the first 3 months after enrollment, students can decide between GKV and PKV. However, this decision is binding for the entire duration of the studies. Once you opt for private insurance, you cannot return to public student insurance.
Once you turn 30 or exceed the 14th semester, public student insurance ends. You would have to switch to voluntary public insurance, which is significantly more expensive — currently starting at around €205 per month. Many students in this situation switch to private providers, which offer significantly lower rates and more flexible insurance benefits.
Students who must take out private health insurance
Some groups of international students are not eligible for public student insurance and must take out a private plan from the beginning:
- Language school participants
- Participants in pre-study internships and preparatory courses (preparatory college, “Studienkolleg”) before regular university admission
- Students in non-state-accredited degree programs
- Students aged 30 or older at the start of their studies
- PhD students and guest researchers not employed by a university
These students can choose between full private health insurance or special expat/student packages offered by digital providers such as ottonova, Feather, and Getsafe.
Dental coverage in public and private student insurance
Both statutory (GKV) and private (PKV) health insurance plans include basic dental coverage — but the scope of coverage differs. GKV covers only standard, medically necessary treatments. PKV may reimburse a wider range of services, depending on your plan. That’s why many students with public insurance choose a private supplementary dental insurance to avoid high out-of-pocket costs for quality care and good dental health.
Understanding how additional dental insurance works in Germany — especially the difference between public and private coverage — helps you choose the right plan and avoid unexpected dental costs.
Public health insurance coverage for dental treatments
Dental treatment and dental care in Germany can be expensive — especially for students on a tight budget. Knowing what your public student insurance covers helps avoid unexpected costs.
Dental coverage of statutory student health insurance in Germany
Statutory health insurance (GKV) covers only essential and cost-effective dental treatments — those deemed “medically necessary” under standard care guidelines. The focus is on low-cost solutions, which include preventive check-ups, basic fillings (composite for front teeth and amalgam for molars), and standard dentures, such as simple metal-based crowns or bridges.
Reimbursement is limited to the most economical form of treatment. If you choose higher-quality materials or more advanced methods, you’ll need to cover the additional cost yourself — unless you have supplementary dental insurance.
For dental prostheses, public insurance typically reimburses 60% of the standard treatment cost, making it the most cost-effective solution. This rate can increase through the bonus system if you maintain regular check-ups.
Suppose you attend yearly dental check-ups and record them in your bonus booklet, your subsidy rate for dentures increases. Initially, your statutory health insurance provider will pay the standard share of 60%; after 5 years, the share increases to 70%. After 10 years, the reimbursement rate increases to 75%. This reward system supports patients who maintain consistent dental care. However, new arrivals and international students usually can’t benefit immediately — they must first build up a continuous check-up history over several years.
GKV covers orthodontics only for children and teens under 18, and only in severe cases of misaligned teeth. Orthodontic coverage for adults is extremely limited and applies only in rare situations involving severe jaw malformations that require surgical correction.
Treatments not covered by public insurance
Any procedure considered non-essential, cosmetic, or outside the cost-efficient standard is excluded from GKV coverage. This includes:
- Professional cleanings without medical necessity (i.e., periodontal therapy) and adult fluoride treatments
- Premium materials like ceramic crowns and inlays, or gold fillings
- Orthodontics for adults (except in rare, medically extreme cases)
- Cosmetic corrections, such as teeth whitening or aesthetic orthodontics
- Root canal treatment if the affected tooth is not considered “worth saving”
- Modern procedures like microscopic root canal therapy or digital jaw analysis (unless explicitly medically necessary)
Such treatments require out-of-pocket payments — unless you hold private supplementary insurance that covers them.
Why supplementary dental insurance makes sense for students
While public health insurance provides a basic safety net for dental care, it often leaves students with significant out-of-pocket expenses for preventive care and modern treatment options. Supplementary dental insurance closes these gaps — typically at a low monthly cost — and provides peace of mind for those living on a tight budget.
Filling the gap: Preventive dental care, high-quality materials
Students frequently postpone dental treatments due to high costs — especially when it comes to professional cleanings, high-quality fillings, or ceramic crowns. These are either not covered or only partially reimbursed by statutory health insurance. Supplementary dental plans help by covering both preventive care and premium materials, giving students access to treatments that would otherwise be unaffordable.
Dental treatment costs with and without supplementary insurance
The table illustrates how quickly supplementary insurance can pay off — it shows typical treatment costs and the share that you have to pay yourself with GKV and with supplemental dental insurance.
| Treatment | Treatment Costs | GKV only | With Supplemental Dental Insurance (80–100%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional cleaning | €80–€120 | €80–€120 | €0–€40 |
| Composite filling (molar) | €80–€100 | €30–€50 | €0–€20 |
| Ceramic crown | €1,000–€1,500 | €800–€1,200 | €200–€500 |
| Dental implant | €2,000–€3,000 | €1,500–€2,500 | €300–€600 |
| Ceramic bridge | €1,500–€2,500 | €1,000–€2,000 | €300–€600 |
| Root canal treatment | €600–€1,000 | €600–€1,000 | €100–€300 (full coverage possible) |
Why private and supplementary dental insurance can be a smart choice for international students
Public health insurance (GKV) only covers basic dental care, and out-of-pocket costs for modern treatments can be high. A supplementary private dental insurance helps close this gap — with better materials, broader coverage, and higher reimbursement rates.
Basic tariffs for a supplemental dental plan start at around €10 per month. For plans with more comprehensive dental coverage, you may pay between €15 and €25 per month. The added benefits almost always outweigh the cost.
Better coverage, better care
Supplementary dental insurance typically includes:
- Coverage of preventative treatments like professional dental cleanings
- Coverage for high-quality materials such as ceramic crowns or gold inlays
- Access to advanced treatments like laser-supported root canal therapy
- Higher reimbursement levels — up to 100% of actual costs, not just GKV reference rates
- Partial or full coverage for services excluded by GKV: implants, professional dental cleanings, cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening
This makes it easier to receive high-quality dental care without high financial stress — especially for students living abroad and unfamiliar with the German healthcare system.
Check first: Not all plans are the same
Even among private insurers, dental coverage can vary widely. It’s important to read the fine print and understand getting the dental services you want:
- Which treatments are reimbursed — and how much?
- If requested: Are orthodontic or cosmetic treatments included?
- Which waiting periods and scaling rules apply?
- Does the insurer offer multilingual customer service and digital claims submission options?
How to find the best dental insurance for international students
- Choose a provider with English or multilingual support
Companies like ottonova, Getsafe, and Feather specialize in international clients. - Check if the plan covers common student treatments
Look for coverage of cleanings, fillings, crowns, and implants. Orthodontic treatments can also be useful for adults for medical or aesthetic reasons, but are not offered by all private insurers. - Look for reimbursement rates of at least 80%
Some tariffs even cover 100% of actual dentist bills. - Avoid long waiting periods if you need treatment soon
Many modern insurers offer no-wait options. - Check excluded treatments
Supplemental dental plans often exclude pre-existing conditions or specific procedures such as cosmetic treatment or aligners. Orthodontics can also be beneficial for adults for medical or aesthetic reasons; however, not all private insurers offer it or may only make it available up to a certain age.
Most dental insurance providers in Germany apply scaling rules. This means that your reimbursement limit increases gradually over the first few years of your policy. For example, you may be reimbursed up to €300 in the 1st year, €600 in the 2nd, and so on, until full coverage is reached — with most providers after 4 insurance years.
Unlike traditional insurers, modern digital providers like ottonova, Feather, and Getsafe generally do not require waiting periods. This means your coverage starts immediately, making them especially attractive for international students who need quick access to dental care.
Conclusion
Supplementary dental insurance in Germany can be a smart choice for international students who rely on statutory health insurance. It helps close the gap between what public insurance provides and the actual cost of modern dental care. With affordable monthly premiums, higher reimbursement rates, and access to high-quality treatments, these plans offer real value, financial relief, and peace of mind during your studies.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
No. You can and should only take out supplementary dental insurance if you are insured under the statutory health insurance system. Depending on the tariff, this allows you to claim all the dental benefits that you would also receive with comprehensive private insurance.
Supplementary dental plans for students start at around €10 per month for basic protection, with more comprehensive coverage available for €15–€25 per month. Many providers offer flexible contract terms, making it easy for students to cancel or switch plans as their needs or budgets change. This flexibility is especially beneficial for international students or those planning to stay in Germany for only a few semesters.
Yes — for most students in Germany, especially internationals, dental insurance is worth it. Statutory health insurance only covers basic treatments, and even common procedures, such as professional cleanings, ceramic crowns, or implants, often result in high out-of-pocket costs. A supplementary dental plan helps reduce these expenses, provides access to better treatment options, and supports improved oral health. For a monthly premium starting at around €10, the savings and comfort it usually offers far outweigh the cost.
Taking out a supplementary dental insurance policy is quick and fully digital. Most providers — especially digital insurers like ottonova, Feather, and Getsafe — allow you to sign up online in just a few minutes. You’ll be asked to answer simple questions about your general health and any pre-existing dental conditions.
Depending on your chosen plan, some providers offer financial support through advance payments, so you don’t have to pay the full amount upfront at the dentist. Once your policy is active, you’ll benefit from full dental coverage for treatments included in your plan, without paperwork or waiting weeks for approval.