International Patients: Your Complete Guide to Treatment in Germany

At a Glance

We Have Done This Thousands of Times

Treating international patients is not a sideline for us — it is central to what we do. Klinik St. Georg has welcomed patients from more than 90 countries across six continents. Our systems, our staff, and our processes are designed for people who are far from home, often dealing with serious health conditions, and navigating an unfamiliar country.

This guide addresses the practical questions international patients ask most frequently. If something is not covered here, our international patient department is available to help with your specific situation.

Visa and Entry Requirements

EU/EEA Citizens

If you are a citizen of a European Union or European Economic Area country, you have the right to enter and stay in Germany without a visa. No special documentation beyond your national ID card or passport is required.

Visa-Free Countries (Up to 90 Days)

Citizens of the following countries (among others) can enter Germany for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa:

• North America: United States, Canada
• United Kingdom
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand
• Asia: Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia
• South America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay
• Other: Israel, United Arab Emirates, Mexico

The 90-day allowance is more than sufficient for even the most comprehensive treatment protocols. You enter as a tourist or for medical purposes — no special visa category is needed.

Important: Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen area. Ensure you have at least two blank pages for entry stamps.

Countries Requiring a Schengen Visa

If your country is not on the visa-free list, you will need a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) for medical treatment. Common countries requiring a Schengen visa include:

• India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka
• Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya
• Russia, Ukraine, Belarus
• China, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia
• Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Turkey

How to apply:

1. Contact us first. Before applying for your visa, complete the initial consultation process with our hospital. We need to confirm your treatment plan before issuing supporting documentation.

2. We provide a medical invitation letter. This official document from Klinik St. Georg confirms your treatment dates, the nature of the medical services, and the expected duration of your stay. This letter significantly strengthens your visa application.

3. Apply at the German Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. You will need:

   • Completed Schengen visa application form
   • Valid passport (minimum 3 months validity beyond planned stay)
   • Two recent passport-sized photographs
   • Medical invitation letter from our hospital
   • Proof of travel health insurance covering at least 30,000 EUR (required for Schengen visa)
   • Proof of sufficient financial means for the duration of your stay
   • Flight itinerary or reservation
   • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or hospital admission confirmation)

4. Processing time: Allow 4-8 weeks for visa processing. Some consulates offer expedited processing for medical cases, particularly with an official hospital invitation letter. Apply as early as possible.

5. Visa extension: If your treatment extends beyond your initial visa period, an extension can be applied for at the local Foreigners’ Authority (Auslanderbehorde) in Germany. This is uncommon but possible with proper medical documentation.

Practical tip: If you have been denied a Schengen visa in the past, inform us during your consultation. The medical invitation letter from a recognized German hospital carries significant weight in visa reconsideration.

Travel Insurance

Why It Matters

Germany has an excellent healthcare system, but treatment at Klinik St. Georg is provided on a private-pay basis. Travel insurance serves two distinct purposes:

1. Coverage for unexpected medical events unrelated to your planned treatment — an emergency, an accident, an acute illness during your stay
2. Medical evacuation coverage — in the unlikely event that you need to be transported to your home country for ongoing care

What to Look For

• Minimum coverage: 100,000 EUR for medical expenses (we recommend higher if available)
• Medical evacuation and repatriation: This is essential. A medical evacuation flight from Germany to the US, for example, can cost 50,000-150,000 EUR
• Pre-existing condition coverage: Some policies exclude pre-existing conditions. Since you are traveling specifically for medical treatment, verify that your policy covers complications related to your underlying condition, even if it does not cover the planned treatment itself
• Duration of coverage: Ensure the policy covers your entire stay, including any extensions

What Travel Insurance Typically Does NOT Cover

• The planned treatment at Klinik St. Georg (this is a self-pay arrangement between you and the hospital)
• Follow-up treatment in your home country related to the therapies received in Germany
• Cancellation of treatment due to change of mind

Schengen Visa Insurance Requirement

If you require a Schengen visa, you must present proof of travel health insurance with minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR as part of your visa application. This can be a standalone travel medical insurance policy. Several international insurers offer Schengen-compliant policies.

Recommended Providers

We do not endorse specific insurance companies, but patients have reported positive experiences with international medical travel insurance from providers such as Allianz Global Assistance, IMG (International Medical Group), GeoBlue, and Safety Wing. Your local insurance broker can also advise on policies appropriate for medical travel.

Language and Communication

At the Hospital

All medical consultations, treatment discussions, and informed consent conversations at Klinik St. Georg are conducted in English. The treating physicians, including myself, are fluent in English. Key nursing staff on the infectiology and apheresis wards also speak English.

Additionally, members of our team speak:

• Spanish
• French
• Russian
• German (of course)

Medical documentation — including your discharge summary, treatment report, and laboratory results — can be provided in English and German.

In Daily Life in Bavaria

Outside the hospital, English is widely understood in Munich and at the airport, but less reliably in smaller towns like Bad Aibling. Here are practical tips:

• Hotels and restaurants: Staff at most hotels speak basic to good English. Restaurant menus are sometimes German-only, but translation apps work well
• Trains and public transport: Ticket machines and the Deutsche Bahn (German Railways) app are available in English
• Pharmacies: Pharmacists in Germany are highly trained and most speak some English. If you need something specific, write it down in advance (generic medication names are typically understood)
• Emergencies: Calling 112 (the European emergency number) connects you to dispatchers who can usually communicate in English
• Translation apps: Google Translate with the German language pack downloaded for offline use is remarkably effective for day-to-day interactions

Practical tip: Learn five German words and you will be warmly received everywhere: “Danke” (thank you), “Bitte” (please/you’re welcome), “Entschuldigung” (excuse me), “Guten Tag” (good day), and “Sprechen Sie Englisch?” (Do you speak English?).

Getting There: Airport and Transfers

Munich Airport (MUC)

Munich Franz Josef Strauss Airport is Germany’s second-busiest airport with direct flights from most major international hubs:

• From the US: Direct flights from New York (JFK), Chicago (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Washington (IAD), Miami (MIA), and others via Lufthansa, United, and Delta
• From the UK: Direct flights from London Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, and others
• From the Middle East: Direct flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha via Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways
• From Asia: Direct flights from Tokyo, Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, and others

From the Airport to Bad Aibling

Option 1 — Private transfer (recommended for first visit): We can arrange a private car transfer directly from your arrival gate to the hospital or your hotel. The driver will meet you at arrivals with a name board. Journey time is approximately 75-90 minutes depending on traffic. Cost: approximately 120-180 EUR one way.

For patients arriving after long-haul flights, particularly those with significant fatigue or mobility challenges, this is the most comfortable option.

Option 2 — Train: Take the S-Bahn (suburban rail) line S1 or S8 from the airport to Munich Hauptbahnhof (central station). From there, take a regional train (Meridian or BRB service) toward Rosenheim, alighting at Bad Aibling station. Total journey time: approximately 90-120 minutes. Total cost: approximately 20-30 EUR.

The train is straightforward, but involves transferring with luggage at Munich’s main station, which can be challenging if you are fatigued or have heavy bags.

Option 3 — Rental car: If you plan to have independent mobility during your stay (useful between treatment sessions), car rental is available at Munich Airport from all major providers. The drive to Bad Aibling takes 60-90 minutes via the A8 and A93 motorways. Parking is available near the hospital.

Note: If you are jet-lagged, consider taking a transfer or train on arrival and renting a car later when you are rested.

Money and Payment

Currency

Germany uses the Euro (EUR). ATMs are widely available in Munich and Bad Aibling. Your bank card will work at most ATMs (check with your bank about international withdrawal fees).

Paying for Treatment

Treatment costs at Klinik St. Georg are handled directly between you and the hospital. We accept:

• Bank wire transfer (preferred for large amounts — most secure and lowest fees)
• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard)
• Cash (in euros, for smaller amounts)

A detailed cost estimate is provided after your initial consultation, before you commit to traveling. There are no hidden fees. The estimate includes all planned procedures, hospital accommodation, and physician fees. See our article on treatment costs for more information on what to expect financially.

Daily Living Costs

Bavaria is moderately priced by Western European standards. It is considerably less expensive than London, Paris, or Zurich.

Connectivity and Communication

• Mobile phone: German SIM cards can be purchased at Munich Airport or in electronics stores (Saturn, MediaMarkt). An EU data plan provides coverage across all EU countries. Alternatively, most international carriers offer travel data packages.
• Wi-Fi: The hospital provides free Wi-Fi. Hotels and cafes in Bad Aibling offer Wi-Fi as standard.
• Calling home: WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, and similar services work without issue over Wi-Fi or mobile data. The time difference between Germany and the US East Coast is +6 hours.

What International Patients Most Often Tell Us

After treating patients from more than 90 countries, certain themes emerge consistently:

“It was easier than I expected.” The logistics of international medical travel can seem daunting in advance. In practice, Germany is an efficient, well-organized country with excellent infrastructure. Most patients report that the practical side of the trip was straightforward.

“The hospital felt personal.” Klinik St. Georg is not a massive medical complex. It is a focused specialty hospital in a small town. The patient-to-staff ratio is high, and most patients feel genuinely cared for on an individual level.

“I wish I had come sooner.” This is perhaps the most common statement. Many patients spend years exploring options in their home country before deciding to travel for treatment. The regret is rarely about coming — it is about not coming earlier.

“Bad Aibling was surprisingly lovely.” Patients expecting an industrial medical district are pleasantly surprised by the quiet Bavarian setting — Alpine views, walking paths, thermal baths, and a charming town center. Recovery in this environment is genuinely restorative.

Clinical Perspective — Julian Douwes M.D. I grew up in this hospital. My father began treating international patients decades ago, and today our patient population is more global than ever. I want international patients to understand something: you are not an exception here. You are not an inconvenience. International patients are a central part of who we are and how we operate. Our systems exist to support you — from the initial telemedicine consultation to the discharge summary translated into English, from the airport transfer to the follow-up call six weeks after you return home. The distance you travel to reach us is a measure of your commitment to your health. We honor that commitment with the thoroughness and personal attention your care deserves.

Key Takeaways

• Most international patients do not need a visa for treatment stays of up to 90 days — US, Canadian, UK, Australian, and many other nationalities enter Germany visa-free
• If you need a Schengen visa, apply 6-8 weeks in advance — we provide an official medical invitation letter
• Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended for all international patients
• All medical care at Klinik St. Georg is conducted in English — no German language skills are required
• Fly to Munich Airport (MUC), then transfer 90 minutes to Bad Aibling by private car, train, or rental car
• The hospital provides a detailed cost estimate before you commit to traveling — there are no hidden fees
• Bad Aibling is a comfortable, affordable Bavarian town well-suited to recovery and extended medical stays

References

1. Legido-Quigley H, et al. “Assuring the Quality of Health Care in the European Union.” European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, WHO, 2008. ISBN: 978-92-890-4320-6.
2. Busse R, Blümel M. “Germany: Health System Review.” Health Systems in Transition, 2014;16(2):1-296. PMID: 25115137.
3. Lunt N, Carrera P. “Medical Tourism: Assessing the Evidence on Treatment Abroad.” Maturitas, 2010;66(1):27-32. PMID: 20185254.
4. European Commission. “Directive 2011/24/EU on the Application of Patients’ Rights in Cross-Border Healthcare.” Official Journal of the European Union, 2011;L88:45-65.
5. Schengen Visa Info. “Schengen Visa for Medical Treatment.” SchengenVisaInfo.com, 2024. https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/medical-treatment-visa/