How to apply for Germany Schengen visa for medical treatment

With its myriad of tourist attractions, efficient economy, and unique cultural offerings, Germany is one of the most visited countries in the world. In addition to being a global leader in tourism, Germany also has what is perhaps the most advanced and specialized medical system in Europe. Unsurprisingly, of the 26-states in the Schengen area, Germany remains a top destination for medical tourism. If you are considering traveling to Europe for medical reasons, you may decide to receive treatment in Germany. However, if you are from a country without visa-free access to the Schengen area, you will likely have to obtain some kind of Germany visa in order to enter and see a doctor in the country. Most people looking into the possibility of obtaining a Germany visa for medical treatment quickly discover that a Schengen medical visa to Germany is the best option for them. Today’s blog will teach you how to apply for a Schengen Germany visa for the purpose of medical treatment. Read on to learn about Germany medical treatment visa application requirements, how to access the Schengen German visa application, and Germany health treatment visa fees for Schengen visa holders. 

Schengen Visa

• If you are from one of the many countries that does not have visa free access to the Schengen area, you will likely need a visa in order to enter the zone.  
• A Schengen visa will allow you to spend up to 90 days in the Schengen area; a 26-country block of European states, including Germany. 
• There are many different types of Schengen visas; a medical Schengen visa is one of these types. The type of Schengen visa you apply for is determined by your purpose for travel. Therefore, you should apply for a Schengen medical visa if you are primarily traveling to the Schengen area for medical reasons. 
• The Schengen visa application process is the same for all Schengen visa applicants. Medical treatment applicants will apply for their visa through the embassy, consulate, or visa application center affiliated with the Schengen country they are trying to visit. (If they plan on visiting multiple countries, they will apply through the country where they look forward to spending the most time on their trip). 

Medical Schengen Visa

• If you are travelling to the Schengen area for the purpose of seeking medical treatment, and Germany is where you intend to receive care, you should apply for a medical Schengen visa from Germany. 
• You will submit your application through the Germany Embassy, Consulate, or visa application center closest to you (ideally in your country of residence).   
• Please note that the Schengen visa application process is the same for all applicants regardless of what country they are applying to or from, or what type of Schengen visa they are applying for. Therefore, if you are applying for a Schengen medical visa to Germany, you will follow the same process and procedures as all Schengen visa applicants, with the only difference being the kind of documents you submit. 
• Medical Schengen visa applicants must submit certain supplemental documents that relate specifically to their medical Schengen visa. For example, if you are applying for a Schengen visa for medical purposes, you will naturally submit different documents than someone who is applying for a tourist Schengen visa. 
• Please note that the cost of a medical Schengen visa is the same as it is for all Schengen visa types: €80 EUR for the majority of applicants. 
• To make sure your application is processed in time, please apply for your Schengen Germany health treatment visa at least 15 days prior to your intended departure (and no earlier than three months before). 
• Finally, anyone seeking a Germany visa for the purpose of medical treatment must submit their biometric information (fingerprints and photos) at their Schengen visa appointment.  

How to apply

• 1. Find out where to apply
  • Locate the Germany Embassy, Consulate, or visa application center nearest to you that is handling Schengen visa applications. This is where you will ultimately submit your Schengen medical German visa application to. 
  • You can locate the German embassy nearest to you via this link.
  • Even if you end up submitting your application online, you will almost certainly have to appear in-person at your application destination at the end of the application process. Once you know where you are applying, you can find out if you need to schedule a Schengen visa appointment in order to drop off your application, whether you need to sit for an interview, where to pay your Schengen Germany health treatment visa fees, and other critical info. 
• 2. Gather your documents 
  • In order to obtain a Schengen German medical treatment visa, you will have to submit a number of supplemental documents that relate specifically to your purpose for travel. 
  • Germany medical treatment visa application requirements include the following supplemental documents, which you will submit depending on whether you are applying as the patient or the patient’s escort.
  • If you are the patient, you must present:
    • Signed letter from the hospital/clinic in Germany (or German attending physician), which will both confirm the validity of your upcoming treatment and how you intend to remit payment for it. 
    • Recent medical report (not always mandatory but occasionally requested).  
  • If you are the escort:
    • Cover letter (detailing who you are and your relationship to the patient). 
    • Letter of appointment, with your full name, which provides an overview of the patient’s intended treatment. 
    • Detailed information about how you intend to afford all of the related costs in Germany that are associated with your position as an escort. This should include where you are staying, the sources of funds you have available to you, etc. 
  • In addition to supplemental material related to your visa for medical purposes, all Schengen visa applicants must submit a number of required documents, including the following:
    • Passport
    • Passport photos (2)
    • Proof of travel insurance
    • Proof of accommodation
    • Proof of finances
  • For a full list of required documents, click here.
  • Please note that some of the required and supplemental documents take time to acquire, so make sure you have everything ready to submit in time for your visa appointment.
• 3. Fill out your application 
  • In addition to the rest of their application materials, Germany health treatment visa seekers must also fill out and submit the basic Schengen visa application.
  • Germany prefers that all Schengen visa applicants access the Schengen visa application online, through this link.
  • Applicants should fill out the form online. When filling out this form, be sure to select “medical reasons” as main purpose for your journey.  
  • After you have filled out the form, print it out, sign it, and submit it at the physical location of wherever you are applying (where it will be electronically scanned).
  • Alternatively, depending on where you are applying, you may be able to submit the German version of the universal Schengen visa form, here.
• 4. Submit your complete application 
  • In order to officially submit your application, you will likely have to attend a Schengen visa appointment at the Germen Embassy or Consulate (or visa application center affiliated with your local Germany mission), in order to have your biometric information collected and attend a short interview. 
  • You will likely have to schedule a visa appointment in order to formally submit your visa. Some German Embassy/Consulates will allow you to schedule a visa appointment online, through their official website. If you are applying through a visa application center affiliated with a German mission, you will also be able to make an appointment online. Alternatively, you may have to contact the embassy/consulate directly in order to make an appointment. 
  • If you are able to apply online through the provided link, you will likely be able to pay for your visa online, in advance of your appointment. Alternatively, you may have to pay your visa fees in person, at your Schengen visa appointment. 
  • Please note that if you have previously submitted a Schengen visa application, and you did so recently enough that your biometric information is already in the system (i.e. within the past 5 years) you will not need to have it collected and you may avoid having to sit for an interview. 
  • However, even if your biometric information is already in the system, you will almost certainly have to show up in person in order to formally submit your application. Please note that Germany reserves the right to ask any applicant to attend an in-person interview-regardless of how many Schengen visas they have previously obtained. 
• 5. Await your decision 
  • Most Schengen visa applications take around two weeks (15 days) to process, although some can take up to 30 days, or even 60. 
  • If you are rejected for your Schengen Germany visa for medical treatment, you have the right to appeal. For more info on how to appeal a rejected Schengen Germany visa, click here.