Medical Assistance for Unregistered Refugees (Anonymous Treatment Certificate)

Medical Assistance for Unregistered Refugees in Germany: What is the “Anonymer Behandlungsschein”?

What is the Anonymer Behandlungsschein? It is an “anonymous treatment voucher” given to people living in Germany without legal residence or health insurance. It allows them to access medical care confidentially, without revealing their identity to the authorities.

It is particularly known in states such as:

Berlin
Hamburg
Bremen
Schleswig-Holstein

What kind of treatment can be obtained? Basic care includes:

Consultation with a general practitioner or specialist
Pregnancy monitoring and childbirth
Prescription of necessary medications
Examinations: blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound depending on the case
Emergencies: usually treated without the voucher

Often not included:

Expensive or long-term surgeries
Costly dental treatments
Complex psychiatric care
Long-term care

Some NGOs provide support in these areas depending on resources.

Who issues the voucher? Not health insurance, but:

Civil society organizations (e.g., Medibüro, Malteser Migranten Medizin)
Counseling centers for undocumented refugees
In some cities, municipalities secretly fund clinics that issue vouchers

Are authorities informed? No. The main purpose of the Behandlungsschein is to protect the privacy of refugees or undocumented migrants. Data is not shared with police or immigration offices.

Exception: In case of a public epidemic risk (e.g., serious infectious disease), health authorities may be informed – not the police.

How to obtain it?

Search “Medibüro” or “anonyme Behandlung Berlin” on Google
Contact the center (you don’t need to give your name)
You will receive an appointment and doctor’s address or the voucher directly

Is language support available? Yes, most centers provide interpreters (especially Arabic, Farsi, Turkish). Volunteer interpreters can be requested for complex cases.

Examples of known centers: