Quick answer: Most countries require international students to have valid health insurance from day one. Costs range from €0 (covered by EHIC for EU students inside the EU) to €40–€120/month for non-EU students using public schemes (Germany, France, Netherlands) and USD 2,000–4,000/year for university-bundled plans in the US, UK and Canada.
European Union — public statutory schemes
Germany: students under 30 join statutory public insurance (TK, AOK, Barmer) at ~€125/month including long-term care. Mandatory before enrolment. France: étudiants étrangers join the public Sécu Étudiante automatically — basic cover free, optional top-up “mutuelle” €15–€40/month. Netherlands: students need Dutch basic insurance (Zorgverzekeringswet) only if working part-time; otherwise a private student plan ~€50/month. Italy and Spain: SSN/Sanidad enrolment around €150–€200/year flat fee.
UK — Immigration Health Surcharge
The IHS is paid up-front as part of the visa application: £776/year per student. Once paid, you get full NHS access at no further cost. Some universities offer optional private top-up for faster specialist access.
USA — university-bundled plans
F-1 students must hold compliant insurance. Most universities offer a default plan (USD 2,500–4,000/year). You can usually waive the university plan if your private insurance meets school requirements — read the policy minimums (lifetime maximum, repatriation, evacuation).
Canada and Australia
Canada: provincial plans cover Quebec (RAMQ), BC (MSP), Alberta and Manitoba; Ontario requires UHIP through universities (~CAD 750/year). Australia: Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for the entire visa duration — AUD 600–1,000/year for singles. Bupa, Medibank, Allianz and AHM are the main providers.
Asia
Japan: National Health Insurance (NHI) is mandatory; ~¥20,000/year for students. South Korea: National Health Insurance Service automatic for international students after 6 months — ~₩70,000/month. Singapore: institutions provide group health and personal accident cover bundled with fees.
What to check in any policy
Lifetime/annual maximum (avoid plans below USD 100,000), inpatient and outpatient cover, mental-health cover (essential), repatriation and emergency evacuation, pre-existing condition exclusions, dental and vision (often separate), waiting periods (some have 6-month wait for major procedures).
FAQ
Can my home-country insurance cover me abroad? Sometimes for short trips, rarely for full degree programmes. Most countries reject home-country travel insurance as proof of student-visa health cover.
Do EU students need insurance in another EU country? The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) covers necessary medical care during stays in EU/EEA countries. Long-term students may still need supplementary cover.
Related student health & visa guides
Continue exploring related guides on Studies Multiverse:
- Student visa guide by country 2026
- Cost of living for students
- Health insurance for students in Germany
- UK Immigration Health Surcharge (NHS)
- Australia OSHC requirements
- Canada UHIP and provincial plans
- Netherlands student insurance
- Japan National Health Insurance
Related guides on Studies Multiverse — free for international students.