As one of the main business centres in Europe, Germany attracts millions of business travellers each year, as well as people taking in the main sights of Berlin, or heading to the annual beer festival in Munich. The UK stereotype of Germany is of an efficient country where everything runs perfectly, but unless you’ve been organised and brought your EHIC paperwork with you to Germany, you might find medical care expensive. Here’s what you need to know about getting care under EHIC if you fall in in Germany.
Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung – GKV
GKV is the German equivalent of the NHS, the state run healthcare system. You might see the three letter abbreviation on official paperwork or on signs for larger hospitals. Doctors will also advertise themselves as “Kassenzart” or “Alle Kassen”, which means that they are working under contract to the state healthcare provider. If you are directed to a doctor or hospital where you don’t see any of those signs, they are probably a private provider, and you’ll be expected to pay the full cost of your treatment unless you have alternative travel insurance. Show administration staff at the hospital your EHIC and passport, and tell them you want state treatment. Healthcare in Germany is some of the best in Europe, with highly qualified staff and well-equipped hospitals.
Charges for Healthcare
In most instances, healthcare in Germany will be free when you access it using your EHIC card. You won’t have to pay to see a GP, or be landed with a bill if you need to be seen in an emergency at hospital. The one major difference to the UK system is that there is a flat daily charge for patients over the age of 18 of 10 euros if you are admitted to hospital. This charge is capped at a maximum of 28 days in one year. If you are admitted to hospital for several weeks, it may be possible to claim back charges on your travel insurance, but this will depend on any excess on your policy. You will also be charged for prescription medicine, with costs ranging from 5 euros to 10 euros depending on the cost of the drugs. Costs incurred for overnight stays in hospital or for prescription medicines cannot be claimed back in the UK or in Germany.
Speaking German?
Learning English is compulsory at German schools and nearly all doctors should be able to speak English to a reasonable level. Older doctors, or doctors who were not educated in Germany might speak less English. A few words of German might make things easier in an emergency. One of the most useful phrases is “Sprechen sie Englisch?” or “Do you speak English?”. A doctor in German is “Artze”, and hospital is “krankenhausen”. The German equivalent of an A&E department is “Notaufnahme”. The number to call in an emergency is 112, which is the number for ambulance, fire or police. Most emergencies operators will speak English, or can transfer you to someone who can.