Health Insurance
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For students
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Health insurance when enrolling in the university
In order to enroll in any German university, it is necessary to have health insurance. That is why you also need a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which certifies that you are insured in an EU member state.
In order to prove to your university that you are insured, it is necessary to send a copy of your ID card and EHIC by email to a health fund in Germany of your choice (e.g. AOK or TC). The email must state that you are a student from Bulgaria and want to prove to the university that you pay health insurance. If successful, the relevant health fund should contact you by email and confirm that it has sent your details to the university.
In principle, this procedure must be repeated each time a new EHIC is issued.
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Health insurance in Bulgaria
As a student in an EU member state such as Germany, you have the right to have the Bulgarian state pay your health insurance.
Each semester, upon receipt of Immatrikulationsbescheinigung or Studienbescheinigung (certificate that you are enrolled for the next semester), this document must be translated by a sworn translator and submitted to a branch of the NRA. After that, you don't need to do anything else.
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EHIC and the right to emergency care in Germany
During the preparation for departure to Germany, it is important to submit an application for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Thanks to this card, every Bulgarian paying their health insurance in Bulgaria can benefit from free emergency care in the territory of each of the countries- EU members. The extent of emergency care is explained in the link below.
In order to be entitled to an EHIC, it is necessary that the payment of your health insurance contributions has not been interrupted for a period greater than 3 months during the past 36 months.
You can do this in any of the branches of First Investment Bank listed in this link completely free of charge: https://www.nhif.bg/bg/people/ezok (the file with the table of branches is located at the end of the page)
The term for issuing this card is 15 working days.
The card must be renewed every year.
Keep in mind that if you do not work and your employer does not pay your health insurance in the period between finishing 12th grade and enrolling in university, your health insurance rights are interrupted and you need to pay your insurance for these 2-3 months yourself.
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Bulgarian doctors and dentists in Germany
On the following site you can find all Bulgarian doctors and dentists practicing in Germany in case you need or prefer to be treated by one:
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Working Student
When entering into an employment contract as a student, depending on the amount of payment you receive, you may be required to pay health insurance.
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Minijob
A "Minijob" usually refers to hourly employment where the monthly pay does not exceed the so-called "tax-free minimum" (Grundfreibetrag) for the current year. In these cases, you shouldn't have to pay health insurance to a German health insurance fund, and having European Health Insurance (EHIC) should be sufficient. However, it's essential to consult with your employer on this matter.
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Werkstudent
In the case of a "Werkstudent," it also involves hourly employment, often part-time. The compensation in this type of work often exceeds the tax-free minimum, and it is necessary to start health insurance with a German health insurance fund. All health insurance funds in Germany offer preferential conditions and lower fees for students. You can compare their offers and choose the most suitable one for you on the following website:
[Check24](https://www.check24.de/). (Please note that this website can be used to compare the prices of various products and services online.)