All guides

Insurance for international students explained by country and by situation. Information only: no quotes, no sales.

Basics

• Insurance for students abroad: the main types of cover

  An overview of the kinds of insurance international students meet: public health schemes, student health plans, private international health cover and travel insurance.

• Travel insurance or international health insurance?

  The difference between travel insurance and international private medical insurance for students, and when each makes sense.

• How to read a student insurance policy

  The terms in a student insurance policy that matter most: deductibles, exclusions, pre-existing conditions, mental health, repatriation and claims.

• Do students need life insurance?

  When life insurance is and is not relevant for students, including students with dependants and loans that a family member has guaranteed.

Countries

• UK: the immigration health surcharge for students

  How the immigration health surcharge works for international students in the UK, what it costs and why private insurance does not replace it.

• Australia: Overseas Student Health Cover

  What Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is, why student visa holders need it for their whole stay, and what to check when choosing a policy.

• United States: university health plans and waivers

  How US universities require health insurance from international students, how automatic enrolment and waivers work, and what to compare.

• Canada: provincial health cover and university plans

  Health cover for international students in Canada depends on the province. How Ontario's UHIP works and how other provinces differ.

• Germany: statutory health insurance for students

  How student health insurance works in Germany: statutory cover until 30, the one-off option to go private, and what the visa and enrolment need.

• Japan: National Health Insurance for students

  How National Health Insurance works for international students in Japan: who must join, what it covers and how to sign up at the ward office.

• Netherlands: when students need Dutch health insurance

  Why international students in the Netherlands usually keep their own insurance, and why taking a job changes that.

Situations

• Short exchanges in Europe: Schengen insurance rules

  What insurance students need for a short-stay Schengen visa, a summer school or a semester exchange in Europe.

• Insuring a laptop and belongings as a student

  Options for covering a laptop, phone and belongings while studying abroad: contents insurance, gadget cover, travel insurance and what to check.