DAILY LIFE
Getting healthcare as a student
Before you need care, identify nearby facilities, save your insurer’s contact details and prepare your medical information. Ask about language support and appointment procedures in advance.
In this guide
Where to go for what
For urgent danger or a serious medical emergency, call 112. For non-emergency care, ask your university whether it has a health service and confirm its scope and hours. Your insurer or SGK can explain which providers and referral arrangements apply to your coverage. A pharmacist can advise on medicines within their professional role; do not use a general guide to diagnose symptoms or delay needed medical care.
How your insurance fits
Residence-file insurance evidence and the coverage you can actually use should both be checked. Depending on your circumstances, private insurance, SGK coverage or a recognised agreement may be relevant. SGK’s foreign-student notice sets a three-month application window from first school registration for this student GSS route. Ask SGK promptly about your eligibility, current contributions and activation; a university registration alone does not enrol everyone automatically. For a private policy, check exclusions, provider networks, co-payments and start/end dates.
Three things to sort in advance
None of these take long and all of them are much harder to do while unwell.
- Find out whether your campus has a health centre and what hours it keeps
- Read what your policy covers and which hospitals it works with
- Save your insurer’s number, the campus health centre and the emergency number in your phone
Bring a record of what you already take
Before travel, ask your treating clinician how to continue prescribed treatment and what records to bring. Keep the active ingredient, dose and relevant history available, and check medicine-import conditions separately. A local clinician should assess any replacement or change in treatment.
A FEW MORE ANSWERS
Frequently asked questions
Can I see a doctor who speaks English?
Ask the facility in advance about the language of the appointment and interpretation options, including any fee. Neither a private hospital nor a campus clinic guarantees a particular language.
What do I do in an emergency?
For a serious emergency, call 112 and follow the operator’s instructions. Give your location clearly. Keep your address and relevant medical information available offline.
Sources & references
Use the linked source for current requirements. The dates below record when each source was checked.
Plan your next step.
Bring your questions about programs, documents or settling in to a MEC Education advisor.