Unplanned treatment in Germany

Unplanned treatment during a temporary stay in Germany can take place for instance if

- You are temporarily in Germany as a tourist, student or seconded employee, or because of other employment, and need to seek medical treatment because of acute symptoms,

- You have had an accident and are taken to a hospital in Germany as an emergency case,

- You suffer from a chronic disease or are pregnant and need medical treatment, including medicines, during a temporary stay in Germany.

All of these cases have in common that they are unforeseen or that the treatment cannot be carried out prior to your stay in Germany or postponed until after your stay for material or medical reasons.This is particularly the case in the event of emergencies or acute pain. The actual reason for your stay may never be the medical treatment per se. It is only then that it is regarded as unplanned and can be charged via the European Health Insurance Card. Treatment is also unplanned if you are pregnant and only wish to give birth in Germany because you can take advantage of family assistance or that of the child’s father before, during and after the birth. In this case, the main purpose of entering Germany is to return to your family, and not simply giving birth per se.

EU law provides for different legal entitlements and procedures with regard to unplanned treatment than to cases of planned treatment in Germany. We have put together some information in the document and link box below regarding the preconditions under which your health insurer will contribute to the treatment costs incurred in Germany.