Cost Estimate (Kostenvoranschlag) Before Travel: How to Request and Understand the Items

Cost estimate (Kostenvoranschlag) before travelling to Germany for medical treatment
How do you request it – and how do you interpret its items to ensure transparent treatment?

Before a patient boards a plane to Germany for medical treatment, there is a key document that must usually be requested from the hospitals and is also important for the embassy: the cost estimate, known in German as the Kostenvoranschlag.

This document is not just a financial sheet; it functions as a first, non-binding preliminary agreement between the patient and the medical institution. It defines the scope of services, the estimated cost of treatment and the expected duration of stay. How do you obtain this estimate – and what should you look out for when reading it? This detailed guide walks you through the main points.

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What exactly is a Kostenvoranschlag?

A Kostenvoranschlag is an official document issued by a German hospital after it has reviewed the patient’s medical reports. It typically includes:

• a list of the expected medical services (examinations, procedures, inpatient stay),

• the estimated duration of treatment or hospitalisation,

• the total estimated amount (Bruttosumme),

• the bank account details for any advance payment,

• the terms and conditions for payment, postponement or cancellation.

This document is usually part of the medical visa application file and is attached to the hospital’s invitation letter.

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How do you request a cost estimate from a German hospital?

• Prepare a detailed medical report in English or German.

• Attach all relevant imaging results and test reports (X-ray, MRI, CT, lab results, etc.).

• Search for a specialised hospital for your condition (you can, for example, use portals like “Weisse Liste”).

• Send all documents by e-mail to the hospital’s International Patients or International Office department.

• State your request clearly, for example:

  “Ich bitte um einen Kostenvoranschlag für die geplante Behandlung.”
  (“I kindly request a cost estimate (Kostenvoranschlag) for the planned treatment.”)

In most cases, you will receive a reply with a written cost estimate within 3–7 working days.

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Which items in the estimate should you pay attention to?

Make sure that the final amount is clearly labelled as “Gesamtkosten” / “voraussichtliche Gesamtsumme” (total / estimated total costs).

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Do you have to pay before arrival?

In many cases, yes. A large number of hospitals require:

• a partial or full prepayment,

• usually made by bank transfer to the hospital’s account,

• the payment receipt is often required when you apply for the visa.

Some centres allow payment upon arrival, but this is relatively rare for international patients.

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What if the costs change after you arrive?

The Kostenvoranschlag is not a final invoice, but an initial estimate. Actual costs may increase or decrease if:

• unexpected complications arise,

• the treatment plan is modified or extended,

• the medical stay must be prolonged.

However, the patient has the right to request a detailed breakdown and official invoices for every service that has actually been provided and billed.

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Using the cost estimate at the embassy

When applying for a medical visa, this document must usually be submitted as a key attachment, in order to demonstrate:

• that the treatment arrangements are serious and concrete,

• that there are sufficient financial means or a bank guarantee to cover the costs,

• the expected duration of the stay in Germany.

If the Kostenvoranschlag is issued in German only, it is often advisable – and sometimes explicitly required by the embassy – to provide a translation into English, ideally by a sworn translator.

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Conclusion

The Kostenvoranschlag is a crucial document for planning medical treatment in Germany before travelling.
It gives you financial clarity, supports your visa application and offers a relatively precise overview of the medical and organisational framework of the planned treatment.

Do not sign or pay anything before you have carefully reviewed all items. If you are unsure, seek help from a sworn translator or a medical / legal advisor who is familiar with the German healthcare system.

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Our team of writers and editors strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of multiple sources. However, errors may occur, and some information may be incomplete or not yet definitively confirmed. Therefore, please regard the information in this article as an initial reference only and always consult the competent official bodies and specialist institutions for binding and up-to-date information.