International students must have health insurance in 2026. Many top-tier scholarships now know that the “cost of living” includes staying healthy. You don’t have to worry about medical debt while you’re in school because these programs take care of the insurance premiums, copayments, or extra charges directly.
1. Scholarships from DAAD (Germany)
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is one of the best places to get health insurance for 2026/2027.
- The Benefit: DAAD usually gives scholars a separate health, accident, and personal liability insurance plan.
- Coverage: This isn’t just a “contribution”; the DAAD usually handles the insurance directly, making sure you meet the strict German legal requirements for student health coverage.
- Intake Status for 2027: The deadlines for many DAAD programmes, such as EPOS, are between August and October 2026.
2. The Fulbright Programme for Foreign Students in the US
The Fulbright Program gives its scholars a special health benefit plan to help them deal with the complicated US healthcare system.
- The good thing is that the Accident and Sickness Programme for Exchanges (ASPE) covers all Fulbright scholars.
- Coverage: ASPE pays for most accidents and illnesses that come up out of the blue. It doesn’t cover routine “wellness” checks like annual physicals, but it does cover hospital stays, ER visits, and prescriptions with low co-pays (usually around $25).
- 2027 Intake Status: Depending on the commission in your home country, applications will be open from April to June 2026.
3. Scholarships for Australia Awards
For all student visas, Australia requires “Overseas Student Health Cover” (OSHC), and this scholarship takes care of that.
- The positive news is that the Australian government will pay for your full OSHC while you are on scholarship.
- Coverage: The scholarship pays for the medical and hospital care you might need while you’re in Australia, as well as some prescription drugs and ambulance services.
- Note for Families: If you’re moving with family, you might need to upgrade to a “Family OSHC”. Your university’s scholarship officer can usually help you with this process.
- 2027 Intake Status: The deadline for applications for the 2027 cycle is April 30, 2026.
4. Chevening Scholarships in the UK
Chevening pays for its scholars’ “Immigration Health Surcharge” (IHS), which is required to use the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).
- The good thing is that Chevening pays the Immigration Health Surcharge as part of the cost of your visa application.
- Coverage: After you pay, you can use the National Health Service (NHS) just like any other UK resident. This includes free doctor visits and hospital stays, but you may still have to pay small fixed costs for prescriptions, dental care, and eye care.
- Intake Status for 2027: Applications usually open in August 2026.
5. Stipendium Hungaricum (Hungary)
Hungary’s top scholarship for 2026 has a two-part approach to health security.
- The benefit is that scholars get both National Health Insurance and a separate private medical insurance policy.
- The national insurance (TAJ card) lets you use the public health system, and the private policy (worth up to HUF 65,000 a year) lets you use English-speaking clinics and other private care options.
- The application portal opens in November 2026 for the 2027 intake.
6. Japan’s MEXT Scholarship
The Japanese government makes sure that its scholars are fully a part of the country’s health system.
- The good thing is that MEXT pays for your tuition and living expenses, and it also helps you sign up for the National Health Insurance (NHI) system.
- Coverage: The scholarship typically covers 70% of the medical costs that the NHI pays. Many host universities also have “Mutual Aid” funds that pay for the other 30% for MEXT scholars, so healthcare is almost free.
- Intake Status for 2027: Applications through the Embassy track will be accepted starting in April 2026.
7. GSK Scholarships for Future Health Leaders in the UK
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) provides these awards to African students with money from GSK.
- The scholarship is designed to be “all-inclusive” for health leaders, offering a generous stipend of £22,000.
- Coverage: The scholarship fully covers the UK Immigration Health Surcharge and the required medical checks for the visa.
- 2026 Status: The last day to apply for the 2026 intake is March 4, 2026.
A summary of health benefits by region
- Europe (Germany/Hungary): Full insurance cards are given for both public and private systems.
- In the UK, you have to pay the IHS Surcharge to access the National Health Service (NHS).
- There is a unique “Accident and Sickness” (ASPE) policy for emergencies in the US.
- Australia and Japan: The sponsor has to pay for national insurance for everyone.
Final Thoughts
Always check the “Benefits” tab when you apply for scholarships in 2026 to see if “Health Insurance” is listed. The best programmes are DAAD and Stipendium Hungaricum because they give you a physical insurance card when you arrive. Your “Health Scholarship” is basically your visa for the US and the UK. You pay for it when you apply, so your coverage is already active when you get there.
