GermanyVisits and short stays

Germany visa for medical treatment

Schengen visa (type C) for medical treatment

In short

Patients travelling to Germany for planned treatment apply for a Schengen visa in the medical category, showing the clinic's confirmation, the expected cost and how it will be paid. Treatment expected to last longer than 90 days requires a national visa instead.

Apply on VIDEX – Schengen visa application form checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Fee
€90Adults EUR 90; children aged 6 to under 12 EUR 45; under 6 free. If an external service provider receives the application, it adds its own service fee.
Processing time
Usually 15 days after the mission receives the file, up to 45 days in individual cases; any waiting time for an appointment comes on top.
Work
No.
Family
An accompanying person applies for their own Schengen visa with reference to the patient's file.
Where to apply
The German embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence, or its external service provider, medical treatment category.

Who uses the medical category

The category is for planned treatment in a German hospital or practice: operations, examinations, rehabilitation or follow-up care. The clinic must have confirmed the appointment, and you must be able to cover the cost, either yourself, through an insurer or through a sponsor.

Medical documents

Besides the core file, bring the clinic's confirmation with the date and expected length of treatment, a cost estimate, proof of payment or of a deposit where the clinic requires one, and a medical report from your treating doctor explaining why treatment in Germany is needed.

Required documents

Identity

  • VIDEX application form, printed and signed, with the signed declaration under Section 54 of the Residence Act
  • Passport issued within the last 10 years (extended passports are not accepted), with two blank pages and valid at least three months beyond the planned departure; copies of Schengen, UK, US and Canada visas held in the last 10 years
  • One biometric photo, 35 × 45 mm, not older than six months
  • Civil status extract showing your family details, where the mission's checklist asks for it

Travel

  • Travel reservation and proof of accommodation outside hospital stays

Money

  • Bank statements and payslips for the last three months; pension statements for the last three months if retired
  • Cost estimate and proof that the costs are covered (payment, deposit, insurer or sponsor)

Insurance

  • Travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 cover for the whole Schengen area, paying providers directly, valid from one day before departure to one day after return

Other

  • Confirmation from the German clinic or doctor with date, type and expected duration of treatment
  • Medical report from your treating doctor

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Family

  • Minors: notarised travel consent of both parents or proof of sole custody

Urgent cases and long treatment

If treatment is medically urgent, say so and attach the medical evidence when you book the appointment. If the treatment plan is longer than 90 days, apply for a national (D) visa for medical treatment instead; the Schengen visa cannot be extended for this purpose beyond 90 days.

Accompanying persons

A relative accompanying the patient applies in the same category with their own core file and a reference to the patient's clinic confirmation. Apply together so the mission can assess both files at the same time.

How to apply, step by step

  1. Find the German embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence and book an appointment in the "Medical treatment" category as it instructs, either with the mission itself or with its external service provider. Choosing the wrong category can mean the file is rejected and any service fee is lost.
  2. Before the appointment, fill in the VIDEX application form online, print it and sign it together with the declaration under Section 54 of the Residence Act.
  3. Collect the documents on the official checklist for your purpose; bring originals and one set of copies.
  4. Attend in person (everyone aged 18 or over), give fingerprints and pay the EUR 90 visa fee plus any service fee, in the way the mission sets.
  5. The mission decides, usually within 15 days of receiving the file and in some cases up to 45 days. Your passport stays with the mission meanwhile.
  6. Collect the passport as the mission or its service provider instructs and check the dates, number of entries and permitted days on the visa sticker before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

Does the clinic have to be paid in advance?

Not always; you must show that the costs are covered. Many clinics require a deposit, and proof of it strengthens the file.

Can my visa be extended if treatment takes longer?

Only in exceptional cases and never beyond 90 days in 180 on a Schengen visa. Plan a national visa if the treatment is long.

Is travel insurance still needed?

Yes, travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 is required, even though it will not cover the planned treatment itself.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Germany

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Validity: The visa is usually issued for several months; the residence permit in Germany is normally granted for two years at a time, at least one year, and renewed while studies progress.
  • Language course visa Validity: For the length of the course.
  • Researcher visa Validity: At least one year, or the length of the research project if shorter.
  • Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Up to six months for the EU internship permit
  • Au pair visa Maximum stay: Six to twelve months

Work

  • Work visa Processing time: Appointment waiting times depend on the mission; after submission the Federal Employment Agency approval adds a few weeks. The accelerated skilled-worker procedure shortens this.
  • Skilled worker visa Validity: Up to four years, or the length of the employment contract plus three months if shorter.
  • EU Blue Card Validity: Up to four years, or the length of the contract plus three months.
  • Job seeker visa Maximum stay: Up to one year; a follow-up Opportunity Card of up to two years is possible for a qualified job that does not yet meet another permit.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Length of the transfer, at most three years (one year for trainees).
  • Working holiday visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months, once

Family

  • Family reunification visa Validity: Visa for entry; the residence permit is then issued in line with the sponsor's permit.
  • Spouse and partner visa Processing time: Same appointment system and waiting times as other family reunification visas at the mission responsible for you.

Residence

Faster processing

  • Fast-track and priority visa services Processing time: Recognition authority: decision within two months; Federal Employment Agency: one week; mission: appointment within three weeks and decision usually within three weeks of a complete application.

Protection

  • Asylum and international protection Processing time: Regular procedure: six months from the application; accelerated procedure: at most three months; border procedure: at most twelve weeks.

Germany visa guide