By law, students studying in a state-recognized college or university in Germany must receive their health insurance to qualify their enrollment.
Choosing health insurance
There are two kinds of health insurance, compulsory/public and private. Until you are 30 years old or until your 14th term of study you must have compulsory health insurance. Private health insurance is allowed only in exceptional cases. (Please note: once you take out private health insurance you cannot revert to public health insurance!)
In most cases, the public health insurance is the more reasonably priced version, unless you are covered by your parents' private health insurance.
Recognition of foreign health insurance
With some countries, such as members of the European Union and the European Economic Area, Germany has a social security agreement. As long as you have public health insurance at home you can get this insurance coverage approved by a public health insurance company in Germany. However, make sure you clarify which documents you will need to take with you! For students this is usually a European health insurance card (EHIC).
Your insurance company will usually issue the EHIC free of charge.
It is possible that your insurance will not cover all costs in Germany. Before you enter the country make sure you know exactly what services you are entitled to in Germany. If you do not have health insurance at home, you still have to insure yourself in Germany - just like all other students.
Sometimes private health insurance from other countries may also be recognized in Germany. You should clarify the exact details with your insurance.