Travel vaccinations in Germany: costs and health insurance reimbursement

For private holidays, travel vaccines are not a standard benefit of German statutory health insurance. This is set out in Section 20i(1) of the German Social Code, Book V (SGB V). Many statutory insurers do, however, reimburse them voluntarily as an extra benefit under Section 20i(2) SGB V, and each insurer sets its own conditions. Exceptions apply to stays abroad for work or training and to travel-related polio vaccination. Routine vaccinations under the STIKO schedule are generally covered anyway.

What the law says

In principle, people with German statutory health insurance are entitled to vaccinations under Section 20i(1) SGB V. For vaccinations needed because of a higher health risk abroad, however, this entitlement only applies in two cases:

• the stay abroad is for work or for training, or
• there is a particular public health interest in preventing a disease from being brought into Germany.

The details are laid down by the Federal Joint Committee (G-BA) in its Protective Vaccination Directive, based on STIKO recommendations. For all other travel vaccines, Section 20i(2) SGB V allows insurers to include further vaccinations in their statutes. Many statutory insurers do exactly that, as a voluntary extra benefit.

Who pays for what: an overview

The STIKO highlights one special case: vaccinations needed to meet entry requirements can go beyond its recommendations. In that case, clarify cover with your insurer before you travel. This mainly concerns yellow fever vaccination.

Extra benefits: what to ask your insurer

Because every insurer designs its extra benefits differently, a quick call or a look at your insurer’s list of benefits before your first appointment is worthwhile. These questions help:

1. Which travel vaccines are reimbursed, and only if the STIKO recommends them for your destination?
2. Is the full amount refunded or only a share, and is there an annual cap?
3. Are both the vaccine and the doctor’s fee eligible?
4. Which receipts do you need, and by when must you submit them?
5. Does the benefit cover all family members insured with you?

Keep a written record of the answers or ask for confirmation by email. This makes the claim easier later.

How reimbursement usually works

For a private trip, the practice treats the travel vaccination as a private service. The process often looks like this:

1. Consultation and vaccination plan: the travel health consultation establishes which vaccines make sense.
2. The vaccine: depending on the practice, you receive a private prescription, collect and pay for the vaccine at a pharmacy, or the practice provides it.
3. Vaccination and invoice: the doctor’s service is billed privately under the German Scale of Medical Fees (GOÄ).
4. Claim: you send the invoice, the pharmacy receipt and, if required, a copy of your vaccination record to your insurer.

Keep all receipts until your claim has been settled. If your vaccinations are spread over several weeks, collect the paperwork in one place.

What the costs are made up of

We deliberately do not quote prices, as they depend on the vaccine, the practice and the scope. Costs can include:

• the travel health consultation
• the doctor’s fee for each vaccination appointment
• the vaccine itself
• for yellow fever, the entry in the international certificate of vaccination
• in individual cases, a blood test, for example to check whether you are already immune, which the STIKO considers possible before hepatitis A vaccination

Because some vaccines require several appointments, ask about the total cost of full protection. For planning tips, see when to get travel vaccinations.

Tips for keeping costs under control

• Check your record: vaccinations you already have do not need repeating. Missing routine vaccinations are generally covered, see routine vaccinations for adults.
• Vaccinate selectively: not every vaccine is needed for every trip. A good travel health consultation weighs up what really makes sense for your route.
• Plan early: planning ahead lets you combine appointments and clarify reimbursement beforehand.
• Compare practices: you can find a travel medicine practice or yellow fever centre near you in our directory of travel clinics.

Our travel vaccine check shows which vaccines may be relevant for your destination in the first place.