Medical Tourism Insurance Coverage: Policy or Bank Deposit?

Insurance Coverage for Medical Tourism in Germany
Is an insurance policy enough, or is a bank deposit required as well?

When planning a medical trip to Germany, many patients assume that having an international health insurance policy is enough to secure entry and obtain a visa.
But the reality is more precise: health insurance is not a substitute for full financial proof for the planned treatment—it is only one part of the requirements.
So what types of insurance are accepted? How does this relate to proving financial capability? And can you rely on insurance alone? Here is the complete answer.

What is the difference between health insurance and financial guarantee?

In other words, even if you have comprehensive health insurance, you still must prove your ability to pay for the planned treatment.

Health insurance required for a medical visa
A medical visa (Medical Visa, §14 AufenthV) typically requires:

• A health insurance policy covering at least €30,000

• Valid in all Schengen countries for the full duration of stay

• Including:

  • Emergency medical expenses

  • Repatriation in case of death

  • Hospital admission

  • Ambulance/transport costs

Most embassies request a policy issued in English or German (or translated), preferably from a well-known international insurer.

Can you rely on health insurance only?
Answer: No.
Even excellent travel/health insurance policies usually do not cover:

• Scheduled surgeries

• Treatments such as cancer, cardiac, neurological care, etc.

• Long hospital stays

• Extensive diagnostic tests

• High-cost medications

That is why embassies often require a bank deposit or proof of advance payment based on the hospital’s cost estimate (Kostenvoranschlag).

Are there exceptions if the policy has “high coverage”?
Even if a policy covers €100,000, the German embassy generally will not waive financial proof except in very rare cases, such as:

• Official funding from a government body

• A legally valid financial sponsorship from Germany (Verpflichtungserklärung)

• Treatment programs funded by companies or international organizations

These exceptions do not apply to most individual cases.

Accepted forms of financial guarantee in addition to insurance

• Receipt for a full or partial transfer of treatment costs to the hospital account

• An official bank guarantee letter

• An official sponsorship by a resident in Germany

• A frozen/blocked deposit in a dedicated account in the patient’s name

A personal bank statement alone is generally not accepted unless supported by an actual payment or guarantee.

Conclusion
A health insurance policy is necessary, but it is not sufficient by itself.
It is only one part of the application and must be complemented by proof that the patient can cover the core treatment costs. Therefore, it is always recommended to:

• Buy reliable international insurance with at least €30,000 coverage.

• Request a detailed cost estimate from the German hospital.

• Transfer the amount (fully or partially) or provide a legally recognized financial guarantee.

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ـ* The website’s writers and editors strive to provide accurate information through extensive research and multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some information may be unconfirmed. Please treat this content as an initial reference and always consult the relevant authorities for verified information.