Paying a Deposit (Vorauszahlung) via the Hospital Trust Account in Germany
An official guarantee for your treatment – and a key step before obtaining your visa
When you apply for medical treatment in Germany, most hospitals require an advance payment (Vorauszahlung) from international patients before confirming appointments or issuing official support documents for the visa.
This amount is not transferred directly to the doctor, but paid into what is known as the hospital’s “trust account” (Treuhandkonto / Patientenverwaltungskonto). What exactly is this account – and why is it considered a safe and official procedure?
It is a special bank account managed by the hospital’s international patients’ department or patient administration, where patient payments are deposited before treatment begins.
In practice, it works similarly to a legal escrow or trust account and is intended to:
hold the funds without spending them immediately
document the patient’s seriousness and financial commitment
cover initial costs, such as diagnostics or inpatient admission
provide proof of financial capability for the embassy when applying for a medical visa
The amount depends on the cost estimate (Kostenvoranschlag) issued by the hospital and is usually requested as follows:
| Type of treatment | Typical amount requested as Vorauszahlung |
|---|---|
| Check-up and diagnostics only | €1,000 – €3,000 |
| Surgical procedures with hospital stay | €10,000 – €25,000 |
| Tumour therapy or complex diseases | €20,000 – €50,000 or more |
In some cases, the hospital may require 100% of the estimated costs to be paid before any medical procedures start.
Once the bank transfer has reached the official hospital account:
The hospital issues a confirmation of payment (Zahlungsbestätigung)
This document is used as a key attachment for the medical visa application at the embassy.
The treatment dates and hospital stay are confirmed
The responsible department or doctor reserves dedicated time slots for the planned treatment.
The money remains safely held in trust
It is only used once the patient arrives and treatment actually begins.
Yes – provided you follow some basic precautions:
Make sure the bank account is in the official name of the hospital, for example:
“Universitätsklinikum XY” or similar.
Never transfer money to a private bank account or to an unofficial intermediary.
Ask the hospital for an original, stamped confirmation showing:
IBAN and BIC
The full official name of the hospital
The requested deposit amount
Your case details (file or patient number)
If the trip has to be cancelled due to serious reasons or the visa is refused, usually:
A small administrative fee is withheld (typically €100–€300).
The remaining amount is refunded within about 4–6 weeks.
You must submit a formal refund request, including the reason (e.g. visa refused) and your full bank details.
Verwendungszweck / Purpose of payment:
Name des Patienten: Ahmed Ali – Patienten-Nr. 584737 – Vorauszahlung Behandlung, Kardiologie – Uniklinik Frankfurt
Always use exactly the same name as in your passport when making the transfer.
Keep the bank transfer receipt carefully – it is often required by the embassy when applying for the visa.
Do not delay the payment: some cost estimates are only valid for three months and expire afterwards.
Paying a deposit via the hospital trust account is a necessary and safe step to secure medical treatment in Germany.
It provides you with the official documents required by the embassy and gives the hospital assurance that the costs of your treatment are covered once you arrive.
The editorial team of this website strives to provide accurate information based on thorough research and multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors may occur or some information may be incomplete or not yet fully verified. Please treat this article as an initial point of reference only and always consult the relevant authorities, hospitals and consulates for binding and up-to-date information.
