Emergency treatment for tourists in Germany without insurance
How are costs calculated? What are your rights? Who pays the bill?
A tourist who suffers a medical emergency while visiting Germany may be taken to hospital immediately, even if they have no valid German or international health insurance. This raises urgent questions: Who covers the treatment costs? How is the bill calculated? And can treatment be refused?
This article explains emergency treatment for uninsured tourists, how daily costs are calculated, and provides practical examples.
Will a tourist be treated without insurance?
Yes. Under § 323c StGB (German Criminal Code), providing help in emergencies is a legal duty. Therefore:
A hospital or doctor may not refuse a patient in an acute emergency.
Treatment comes first, payment is discussed later.
✔️ This includes accidents, severe acute pain, seizures, bleeding, or a sudden worsening of a chronic condition.
Who pays the costs?
If there is no health insurance of any kind:
The invoice is issued directly in the patient’s name.
Costs must be paid in cash or transferred later from outside Germany.
The German state does not cover these costs except in special cases (e.g., asylum or protection status).
How are daily treatment costs calculated?
Costs are commonly calculated using fixed billing systems such as:
DRG – Diagnosis Related Groups
or, in certain emergency/medical billing situations:
GOÄ – Gebührenordnung für Ärzte (doctors’ fee schedule for private patients)
What can the bill include?
| Item | Estimated cost (per day) |
|---|---|
| Bed in a standard room | €150–€300 |
| Medical/nursing care | €100–€250 |
| Tests/imaging | €50–€300 per test |
| Medication and therapy | €50–€200 depending on case |
| Surgery | €1,000 to €10,000+ |
Real-life example:
A tourist with appendicitis is treated urgently and stays 2 days in hospital:
| Item | Approx. amount |
|---|---|
| Admission and tests | €450 |
| Surgery | €2,500 |
| Two-day stay | €500 |
| Medication and follow-up | €200 |
| Total | ≈ €3,650 |
Can the price be negotiated?
Sometimes, yes. You may contact:
The hospital billing office (Abrechnungsstelle)
Request an installment plan (Ratenzahlung)
Request a partial reduction for humanitarian reasons, especially in charitable or church-run hospitals
Will you receive an official invoice?
Yes. Hospitals/clinics issue a detailed invoice (Rechnung) including:
Patient name and nationality
Date and place of treatment
Itemized cost details
Payment instructions (IBAN, due date)
How can you avoid these costs in advance?
The best protection is:
Buying travel health insurance (Incoming insurance) before arrival
Often costs only €1–€2 per day and covers emergencies
Many embassies require it for visas, but it may not be mandatory in some cases (visa-free entry)
What if the bill is not paid?
| Situation | Possible consequences |
|---|---|
| Non-payment after returning home | Case may be handed to an international debt collector |
| Deliberate non-payment | Possible negative record/financial consequences in Germany |
| Future visit to Germany | Settlement may be requested before a new entry |
Quick summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Treatment without insurance? | Yes, only for emergencies |
| Costs calculated directly? | Yes, under specific billing rules |
| Who pays? | The patient (or their representative) |
| Installments possible? | Sometimes, depending on the hospital |
| Insurance recommended in advance? | Strongly, to avoid high costs |
The site’s writers and editors aim to provide accurate information through extensive research and by consulting multiple sources. However, errors may occur or some information may be uncertain. Please treat the content as initial guidance and consult the competent authorities for confirmed information.
