Temporary home-care services in hotel rooms
A flexible bridge between hospitalisation and comfortable accommodation for international patients in Germany
In recent years, Germany has seen significant growth in healthcare services tailored to international patients, especially for those who prefer to stay outside the hospital after surgery or during longer treatment phases.
One increasingly popular and innovative solution is temporary home-care in hotel rooms, which combines hotel comfort with professional nursing and medical support.
What are hotel-based Home-Care services?
This concept refers to short-term nursing and medical care provided inside hotel rooms – either in specially equipped medical rooms or via regular visits by professional nursing staff.
It is often used in situations such as:
after minor or medium-complexity surgeries
during the early phase of rehabilitation
for elderly patients who need care but prefer privacy
for families accompanying a patient who need flexible, temporary solutions
Key advantages for international patients
Comfort and privacy
Staying in a private hotel suite, away from the typical hospital environment, can significantly reduce psychological stress – especially for patients from cultures that value family privacy and calm surroundings.
Specialised care on demand
Services may include, for example:
wound and dressing changes
monitoring of vital signs
administration of medication
post-operative care
support for respiratory problems or chronic wounds
Care can be scheduled as hourly care, day care, or tailored to individual needs.
Integration with the German medical system
Home-care in hotels is usually organised in close coordination with the hospital or the treating physician, to ensure continuity of:
treatment plans
medication management
and medical follow-up
Does health insurance cover this type of care?
In most cases, these services are not covered by statutory health insurance (GKV), as they are treated as comfort services (Komfortleistungen).
However, in some cases:
private health insurers (PKV), or
international medical or incoming insurances
may reimburse part of the costs, provided there is a documented medical justification from the hospital.
Patients are strongly advised to clarify in advance with the hospital and request a written note stating:
why out-of-hospital care is medically advisable
which services are required
and for how long the care is expected to be needed
How are booking and arrangements handled?
Organisation is usually coordinated through:
the hospital’s International Office / International Patient Department
specialised home-care and nursing providers such as Johanniter, Malteser, Caritas
or medical travel agencies that offer complete packages including:
hotel booking
language and support services
nursing care
direct communication with the treating physician
Examples of hotels offering Home-Care support
Some hotels located near major university hospitals – for example in Berlin, Heidelberg, Munich or Frankfurt – provide medically prepared rooms, including:
electric medical beds
bathrooms equipped for seniors and persons with reduced mobility
portable oxygen devices
nursing services scheduled daily or by the hour, or on request
Potential challenges
Higher overall costs, as hotel accommodation and nursing services are billed separately
Need for advance planning, since not all specialities and services are available in every city
Medical prerequisites, as up-to-date medical reports are often required before care is accepted
Conclusion
Temporary home-care in hotel rooms is a smart, flexible model that responds to the needs of international patients in Germany – especially in the post-operative phase or for those who wish to avoid staying in a hospital environment.
It combines:
medical quality
professional care
and hotel-level comfort
To make the most of this option, early planning and close coordination with the hospital, care provider and – where possible – the insurance company are essential.
The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors or incomplete information may occur, or certain details may not yet be finally confirmed. The content of this article should therefore be regarded as an initial guide only. For binding and officially reliable information, please always contact the relevant authorities, insurers and professional institutions.
