- Most non-EU foreigners need a visa to enter Germany for medical treatment. They require a German medical visa, which is also valid for other Schengen countries.
- Germany offers 2 types of medical visas, providing flexibility to suit different needs. The Schengen visa type C is for short-term stays of up to 90 days, while the Schengen visa type D is for longer stays.
- Under certain conditions, C visas for medical treatment in Germany can be extended.
- The requirements for granting a German medical visa include a medical certificate, a confirmation from the treating physicians or clinics, proof of financing of the treatment and the entire stay, and Schengen travel health insurance.
- Under certain circumstances, it is also possible to issue a visa for medical treatment to accompanying individuals.
Medical treatment visa for Germany and the Schengen area
Most foreign visitors who come to Germany for medical treatment require a visa for this purpose and, for stays of more than 90 days, also a German residence permit. The German missions abroad report that they issue around 250,000 visas for medical treatment in Germany each year.
Visa requirements in Germany
The Schengen Agreement also regulates the visa requirements for Germany. On this basis, the world’s largest visa-free travel area was created. Border controls in the entire Schengen area normally only occur at external borders. Schengen visas are valid for the country that issued them and travel throughout the whole Schengen area.
The following groups of people do not require a visa for Germany and the Schengen area:
- Citizens of the EU, Schengen states, and third-country nationals who hold a residence permit for one of these countries
- Citizens of about 60 countries who, under visa liberalization agreements, can enter the Schengen area and stay there for a maximum of 90 days without a visa
The Schengen states are members of the European Union except for Ireland and Cyprus and the non-EU countries Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.
German medical treatment visa – also for outpatient treatment and prevention
A Schengen medical visa for Germany can be issued for inpatient hospital stays, outpatient medical consultations, and preventive measures. The decisive factor for approving such a visa is that the treatment in Germany is medically necessary, and the medical facility in Germany must confirm this.
An application for a German medical visa is possible in the following cases:
- Inpatient treatment: hospital stays, operations, rehabilitation measures
- Outpatient consultations: specialist consultations, specialized diagnostics, second opinions, specific medical treatment that does not require hospitalization
- Preventive measures: medically recommended checkups, special medical checkups, and preventive cures provided a doctor has confirmed their medical necessity.
The German embassies do not issue medical visas for wellness cures or stays for general recreation, even if the stay is booked at a specialized facility. For these purposes, you need a Schengen visa for a tourist stay.
German medical treatment visa — in 2 variants
The type of Schengen visa you require for medical treatment in Germany depends on the expected duration of treatment. In general, 2 types of visa can be applied for in the Schengen area:
Schengen visa type C
C visas are visitor visas for short-term stays. This visa type allows you to stay in Germany and the other Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days.
Suppose you can foresee before applying for the visa that your medical consultations or hospital treatment will not take up more time. In that case, you should apply for a C visa for medical treatment in Germany.
With this visa, you can travel freely within the entire Schengen area during its 90-day validity period. However, if you are planning medical treatment in several Schengen states, you should check with the embassies of these countries in advance whether a further medical visa is required.
Schengen visa type C cannot normally be extended —; however, exceptions are made for medical visas. Suppose you can prove that further treatment in Germany is necessary after the 90-day visa validity has expired. In that case, the visa can be converted into a national D visa so that you can obtain a German residence permit for the duration of the treatment.
Schengen visa type D (national visa)
You will need a national medical visa for treatment that is expected to last longer than 90 days. After entering Germany, you must apply for a temporary residence permit, which the German immigration authorities issue. It expires when your treatment in Germany is completed.
Visitors from 14 countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Israel, can also enter Germany without a visa for extended stays. However, for stays of more than 90 days, they also require a German residence permit.
Application Process for a German medical treatment visa
You apply for a German medical treatment visa at the German embassy or consulate in your country of residence. German embassies cooperate with external visa centers in some countries to receive and examine visa applications. Information can be found on the website of the responsible German embassy.
A German medical visa can also be issued for family members or other accompanying individuals. The prerequisite for this is a medical certificate from Germany stating that the person concerned must be accompanied for medical or care reasons, for example, in the case of minors, elderly, or seriously ill patients. In addition, the family or supervisory relationship must be proven by suitable documents. Like all other visa applicants, accompanying people must also have proof of financing for their stay in Germany and travel health insurance for Germany and the Schengen area. If there is no explicit medical or supervisory need for the accompaniment, accompanying people can alternatively apply for a Schengen tourist visa (C visa).
You will need a personal appointment for the visa application, which you can usually schedule online on the embassy’s website. At this appointment, you will submit your visa documents and complete a visa interview in which you explain your reasons for applying for the visa.
Documents for a German medical visa
The following documents are generally required for a German medical visa application; however, the embassies are entitled to request further documents. You must submit the required documents in the original and with 2 photocopies.
- Fully printed and signed application form
- 2 biometric passport photos (not older than 6 months and by the photo requirements of the German embassy)
- Valid passport (not older than 10 years, still valid 3 months after the planned end of your stay in Germany, at least 2 free pages for the visa sticker)
- European travel health insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000
- Flight reservations for the outward and return journey
- Proof of accommodation for the entire duration of your stay (confirmation from the hospital where you are receiving treatment, hotel bookings, letter of invitation from a host in Germany, or a rental contract)
- Proof of marital status (marriage certificate, birth certificates of children)
- For employees, pupils, and students: Leave letter from the employer or educational institution
- Proof of financing of your stay and medical treatment in the form of proof of income and property (e.g., salary certificates or pension statements from the last 3 months, bank statement, proof of income from self-employment), if applicable, a declaration of commitment from a German sponsor
- For a visa application for minors: birth certificate, notarized declaration of consent from both parents, if the child is to travel with a third person or from the non-traveling parent
- Proof of the necessity of medical treatment in Germany
- Proof of payment of the visa fee
Documents and agreements for medical treatment
To obtain a German medical visa, it is crucial that you can prove beyond doubt that you require medical treatment in Germany. The following documents are relevant for this:
- A medical certificate from a German doctor or clinic stating that the treatment is medically necessary and can be carried out in Germany.
- Appointments with this doctor or hospital, if possible, already including a treatment plan
- Correspondence between the treating physician in the home country and the admitting physician in Germany
- Proof of advance payments and other financial agreements with the German physician or hospital
- Declaration of commitment by the visa applicant to also cover unforeseen treatment costs
- If applicable, proof of accommodation at the treating clinic
Processing times for medical visa and visa fees
You can apply for a German medical visa 6 months before your planned entry to Germany.
The processing time for a C visa is typically 14 days, but you should plan with a time buffer to cover any delays.
However, it can take several months before a national visa is issued since the issuance of D visas is also coordinated with the immigration office in Germany.
The visa fees for a C visa are €90 for adults and minors aged 12 and over. A reduced fee of €45 applies for children between the ages of 6 and 12, while children under 6 receive the visa free of charge.
A national visa costs €75 for adults and €37.50 for minors.
Conclusion
Obtaining a German medical treatment visa requires thorough preparation and adherence to specific application requirements. While the process may seem complex, the possibility of receiving high-quality medical care in Germany makes it worthwhile. Applicants must provide all necessary documents, including proof of medical necessity and financial coverage. Additionally, understanding the distinction between a short-term Schengen visa and a national visa for longer treatments is crucial. Those planning extended stays should be aware of residence permit regulations. If an application is rejected, there are legal remedies available. Foreign patients can confidently access Germany’s renowned healthcare system by carefully following the process and meeting the required criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions — FAQ
Great Britain is not a member of the Schengen area or the EU; however, British citizens can enter other Schengen countries visa-free. If your medical treatment in Germany will not take longer than 3 months, you do not need a visa or a German residence permit. If the treatment takes longer, you will need to apply for a temporary residence permit at the German immigration office.
In principle, yes. The medical necessity of the treatment is not the only criterion for granting a visa, nor is it the main one. The German embassy will also thoroughly check applications for a medical treatment visa. In addition to secured financing of the medical treatment and the stay in Germany, an essential criterion for the decision is, for example, a verifiable willingness for the applicant to return. Financial aspects also play a central role here.
If your German medical treatment visa application has been rejected, the German Embassy or Consulate will let you know the reasons in writing. You can appeal the negative visa decision within 4 weeks if you can provide additional evidence that refutes the reasons for the rejection. Alternatively, you can request a court decision on your visa application – this option is available immediately after receiving the rejection letter or after an unsuccessful appeal. The embassy will also inform you of these legal steps in its rejection letter.
