Medical Treatment and Health Insurance for Non-EU Citizens
For vacations and business trips: Medical treatment as a private patient with guest insurance
Healthcare in Germany is characterized by an extensive network of general practitioners and specialists. These doctors are self-employed and run their own practices (niedergelassener Arzt). Patients choose their doctors. For emergencies, there are hospital emergency rooms. However, “normal” illnesses are not treated there.
Click here to search for doctors in your area.
Those who do not have statutory health insurance are treated as “private patients” (Privatpatient). They initially pay for the treatment themselves and are then reimbursed by their private health insurance provider. Visitors from non-EU countries are treated as “private patients” in Germany. This means that the doctor issues an invoice which patients initially pay themselves and later settle with their insurance company. The status as a private patient has the advantage that doctors are paid more for treating them compared to statutorily insured patients and therefore usually prioritize private patients when giving appointments.
Health insurance is mandatory in Germany – even for short stays. Those who do not already have insurance that is recognized in Germany can take out insurance for short stays at low cost.
Before leaving home, travelers can check whether their health insurance is recognized in Germany and covers treatment costs in Germany. It is quite easy to take out a German guest insurance policy. Guest insurance covers treatment costs for acute illnesses in Germany and costs very little. You can calculate the cost of guest insurance and apply via the link below.
Take out guest insurance directly
Here you can calculate the cost of travel protection for foreign guests and take out travel insurance directly. The conclusion takes place online at HanseMerkur Krankenversichrung. You will receive a corresponding confirmation immediately.