Health care costs for year abroad

[Poppy606]

Has anyone had a child do a year abroad in Germany recently. I know normal travel insurance wouldn’t cover normal healthcare. Does anyone know of you have to pay or can you be covered by the uk government. Very confused!!

DD was in France from September to June and got a GHIC before she went. Tbh, I can't remember whether she took out additional insurance.

For Germany, it says:
Studying in GermanyYou should apply for a Student to get medically necessary, state-provided healthcare for the duration of your study period in Germany, whether this is for part or all of your course. This means that you’ll get necessary healthcare services on the same basis as an German citizen either for free or at a reduced cost.If you already hold a valid Student EHIC you can use this until the card expires.Read more about eligibility and how to applywww.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/If you have a job while studying, you need to join a German health insurer (statutory or private). This includes if you’re doing a paid placement or internship. For students, this costs around 100 euros a month.

www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-germany#studying-in-germany

My memory is that her GHIC came through only just in time, but a lot quicker than she was expecting (rather like her visa...).

When I went on my year abroad it was a condition of the course that I had comprehensive insurance. We weren’t allowed to go unless the university had seen the policy and they were really hot on it. There used to be specialised products for year abroad travel. I remember paying about £350 back in the day so suspect it would be a lot more now.

There were quite a few of my friends who were robbed (across lots of different counties) and one that managed to get himself shot (South America not Germany!)

Yes, my DS is there ... assuming he does a 20 hour internship, which most of them do, they can pay a lower rate of health insurance ... but it's still quite expensive. I'm not being very specific which isn't helpful but this is as you say above. Do check, but I don't think current EHIC cards are valid for this ... only the ones which were issued before we unfortunately left the EU. With the end of Erasmus, everything has got loads worse but I'm sure he'll have a great time.

My DS spent a year before Uni working with a charity in Paris in 202/21. In addition to EHIC he took out a policy with True Traveller - we did quite a lot of research and it seems the best fir for his needs. It cost £380 for 12 months. He never claimed so I can't comment how good they are if you claim. Covered possessions, emergency repatriation, adventurous sports etc.