All students in Europe are required to have health insurance. EU, EEA, and Swiss students who hold a valid EHIC use it directly and don't need to register with the public health system of their new country of studies. EU students without an EHIC and all non-EU students must sign up for an insurance for the length of their stay.
Do international students in Europe need health insurance?
Yes, health insurance is mandatory for all students in Europe, whether local or international students. The right option usually depends on your nationality, your previous insurance, the length of your stay, and your residency status.
What health insurance applies to EU, EEA, and Swiss students?
If you're a student from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland and you hold a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or provisional certificate, you don't need to register with the public healthcare system of your new country. You can access healthcare in your new EU country of studies under the same conditions as people covered by the public health system. Your EHIC must remain valid at least until the end of the current academic year. If your EHIC doesn't cover your entire study period, you may need to take out supplemental private health insurance (such as our expat health insurance) to cover the remaining time.
If you're a European student but don't hold a valid EHIC, or if you hold an S1 portable document, you must register with the public health system of your new country of studies.
Can I take out expat health insurance for my student stay?
Yes. If you're not eligible for the public healthcare system of your new country of studies, you can take out expat health insurance with us.
Our expat health insurance plan is fully visa-compliant and can be used for up to 5 years from your arrival date.
It provides comprehensive coverage for hospital stays, doctor visits, and medical providers throughout the European Union and the Schengen Area.
You can sign up online before your departure or after arriving, and a visa letter is automatically generated for your visa application.
After 5 years, you'll need to transition to public health insurance, or a different insurance plan if you plan to continue living in that country.