German Insurance Vocabulary for Students and Newcomers: 20 Words for Forms and Appointments
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These 20 German words cover most of the insurance paperwork a student or newcomer meets: choosing cover, proving it, explaining your status, and handling money and claims. Learn each noun with its article (der, die, das), because German forms and phone calls assume you know it. The example sentences use A2 to B1 German, so you can reuse them almost word for word.
At a glance
- What this covers: 20 words in four groups, each with an example sentence.
- Level: A2 to B1.
- Two confusions explained: Krankenkasse vs Krankenversicherung, and Beitrag vs Gebühr.
- Includes: a five-question self-test with answers.
Table of Contents
1. Choosing and proving your insurance
die Krankenversicherung (health insurance). Für das Visum brauche ich eine Krankenversicherung. I need health insurance for the visa.
die Krankenkasse (public sickness fund). Die Krankenkasse schickt mir die Bestätigung per E-Mail. The sickness fund sends me the confirmation by email. Feather says there are around 100 of them.
gesetzlich (public, by law). Ich bin gesetzlich versichert. I have public insurance.
privat (private). Meine Schwester ist privat versichert. My sister has private insurance.
der Antrag (application). Ich habe den Antrag online ausgefüllt. I filled out the application online.
der Versicherungsnachweis (proof of insurance). Bitte bringen Sie den Versicherungsnachweis zum Termin mit. Please bring the proof of insurance to the appointment.
die Überweisung (referral to a specialist, or a bank transfer). Feather says that with expat insurance you can book a specialist directly without a referral. Mit der Expat-Versicherung brauche ich keine Überweisung. With expat insurance I don't need a referral.
2. University, visa and work status
die Immatrikulationsbescheinigung (confirmation of enrolment). Die Immatrikulationsbescheinigung finde ich im Online-Portal der Uni. I find the confirmation of enrolment in the university's online portal.
die Meldung (notification, report). Feather says your insurer sends the "M10 Meldung" to your university automatically. Die Krankenkasse schickt die Meldung an die Uni. The sickness fund sends the notification to the university.
die Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit). Für die Aufenthaltserlaubnis brauche ich einen Versicherungsnachweis. For the residence permit I need proof of insurance.
die Chancenkarte (opportunity card, a job-seeking visa). Mit der Chancenkarte kann man in Deutschland eine Arbeit suchen. With the opportunity card you can look for work in Germany.
der Werkstudent (working student). Als Werkstudent zahle ich einen festen Beitrag. As a working student I pay a fixed contribution. Feather describes this fixed monthly contribution for working students on student public insurance.
der Minijob (mini job). Mit einem Minijob bleibe ich bei der Expat-Versicherung. With a mini job I stay on expat insurance. Feather lists a mini job as allowed on expat insurance, with a 2026 threshold of €603 gross per month.
freiwillig versichert (voluntarily insured). Freiberufler sind oft freiwillig versichert. Freelancers are often voluntarily insured.
3. Money, claims and cancelling
der Beitrag (regular contribution or premium). Der Beitrag wird jeden Monat abgebucht. The contribution is debited every month.
die Rechnung (invoice). Ich lade die Rechnung in meinem Online-Konto hoch. I upload the invoice in my online account.
die Erstattung (reimbursement). Die Erstattung geht auf mein Konto, nicht an die Ärztin. The reimbursement goes to my account, not to the doctor. That matches how Feather describes expat claims.
die Wartezeit (waiting period). Es gibt eine Wartezeit von 31 Tagen. There is a waiting period of 31 days. Feather says this is the standard waiting period on expat insurance.
der Versicherungsbeginn (start of cover). Der Versicherungsbeginn ist der 1. Oktober. Cover starts on 1 October.
die Kündigung (cancellation). Die Kündigung ist jederzeit möglich. Cancelling is possible at any time. Feather says you can cancel expat insurance anytime.
4. Two pairs learners confuse
What is the difference between Krankenkasse and Krankenversicherung?
Krankenversicherung is the general word for health insurance. Krankenkasse is specifically a public insurance organisation, one of the sickness funds. So "Ich habe eine Krankenversicherung" is correct for any type of cover, while "Ich bin bei einer Krankenkasse" points to public insurance.
What is the difference between Beitrag and Gebühr?
Beitrag is a regular contribution, such as a monthly insurance premium. Gebühr is a fee for a service, such as an administration charge. If something is charged every month as part of your cover, the word you want is Beitrag.
5. How to learn them fast
- Learn the article with the noun. Write "die Rechnung", never just "Rechnung".
- Say the example sentence aloud, then change one word. Replace "Rechnung" with "Immatrikulationsbescheinigung" and read it again.
- Match words to real situations. Before an appointment, pick the four words you are most likely to need and rehearse one sentence for each.
6. Self-test
- Which word means "waiting period"?
- Complete the sentence: Die ____ geht auf mein Konto. (reimbursement)
- Which word means a public insurance organisation: Krankenkasse or Krankenversicherung?
- How do you say "I am voluntarily insured"?
- Which document confirms that you are enrolled at university?
Answers
- die Wartezeit
- Erstattung
- Krankenkasse
- Ich bin freiwillig versichert.
- die Immatrikulationsbescheinigung
7. Keep practising
Take our practice tests to check your level, then work through the B1 practice tests for the reading and listening you will meet in real paperwork. Our PDF Library has vocabulary resources you can study offline. To see how the insurance options themselves work, read our guide to student public, expat and private health insurance, and check Feather's health insurance comparison for current details.
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