Private medical insurance

Private health insurance provides access to medical treatment, typically without long waiting times and independent of NHS practices. It covers the costs of private doctors and additional medical services that go beyond statutory insurance cover. This gives policyholders greater flexibility in choosing appointments, more comprehensive care and the freedom to choose their own medical treatment.

As private practitioners set their own fees, it is difficult to give a general estimate of the costs. Generally speaking, the cost of a visit to a general practitioner ranges from 80 to 120 euros, whilst an appointment with a specialist (such as an orthopaedic surgeon, dermatologist or cardiologist) costs between 150 and 200 euros. (As of May 2024) If you see a private doctor without private health insurance, you will initially have to cover the full cost of treatment yourself. Once you have paid, you can submit a claim for reimbursement to your statutory health insurance provider. Usually, around 10–20% of the invoice amount is reimbursed.

If you also have private health insurance, this will generally cover the difference, meaning you can be reimbursed for up to 100% of the costs.

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