medtourism.guide

Travelling to Germany for treatment

How do I get there?

For Berlin use Berlin Brandenburg Airport. For Frankfurt and the Offenbach area, consult Frankfurt Airport.

For Munich use Munich Airport. Ask the hospital to confirm the city and treatment department; a university or hospital group may have several campuses.

For Hamburg use Hamburg Airport. For the Freiburg area, consider the route through EuroAirport Basel–Mulhouse–Freiburg, and confirm the onward journey with the clinic.

Do I need a visa?

For ordinary passports, the EU's entry guidance and UK government's Germany entry advice distinguish these groups:

Count previous visits to other Schengen countries in the allowance. For planned treatment, ask the consulate which medical-purpose documents it requires and whether a national visa or residence permission is needed if care extends beyond 90 days.

The EU Entry/Exit System became fully operational at external borders on 10 April 2026. It registers eligible non-EU short-stay travellers. ETIAS is still not operational on the check date; do not treat an announced future authorisation as a visa already required. Check the official page again before departure.

Consult the German Federal Foreign Office’s visa-exemption list for the destination’s framework. Medical-purpose checklists can depend on where you apply; confirm your own requirements with the consulate responsible for your residence.

The EU’s published implementation timetable expects ETIAS in the last quarter of 2026. This is an expected quarter, not a confirmed launch day; check for the official start announcement before a later trip.

Before departure, read Canada's travel advice for Germany, US travel advice for Germany, UK travel advice for Germany and the European Commission's gateway to EU national travel advice.

How do clinics usually take payment?

Charité's infectious-diseases information for international patients distinguishes outpatient invoicing from planned inpatient treatment. For inpatient care, it describes a cost estimate, advance payment and final reconciliation after discharge.

BCRT says it operates without cash and accepts debit and credit cards and mobile payments, excluding American Express and PayPal. Ask your own provider for the billing currency, payment deadline, tax treatment and the terms for any unused advance.

What language and documents do I need?

Charité provides English guidance for arranging care. Ask which records need translation and whether each participating department will issue separate reports or invoices.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises patients to bring relevant medical records, test results, prescriptions and a medication list, and to tell the receiving team about allergies. It also advises obtaining complete records before returning home and arranging any necessary English translation.

Ask for a medical or dental report, an itemised invoice, prescriptions and a follow-up contact. If an implant or other device is used, request its identifying details and the operative record so your clinician at home knows what was placed.

Who can I complain to?

The Federal Health Ministry's English complaints guidance explains hospital complaint-management services and the relevant state chamber of physicians. It also distinguishes professional complaints and suspected treatment errors. Ask the responsible state chamber or hospital which written form to use and whether English documents require translation; the national information page is not itself a universal complaint form.

How to check a doctor's licence in Germany: our guide.

How long do people stay?

ANOVA's own treatment information describes a two-day initial outpatient visit for the specific procedures discussed on that page, with later stages potentially separate. This is a provider's attendance schedule, not evidence of efficacy or a general recovery interval. Ask your treating hospital for the schedule relevant to its proposed care.

The CDC's medical-travel guidance says flying after surgery can increase clot risk and discusses delaying air travel 10–14 days after major surgery, especially chest procedures. This is general official guidance; ask the treating team and airline about your own return journey.

What should I know about the place?

The German National Tourist Board describes links between acute care and rehabilitation in established health destinations such as Bad Nauheim. Confirm whether a programme is hospital treatment, rehabilitation or a separate wellness service.

Checked on 24 October 2026.

Treatment in Germany