Sick abroad? Statutory health insurance only covers the most necessary in Europe. Return transport and private treatments are often left out. This article shows what travelers have to pay attention to – and why additional protection makes sense.
Basic protection on the EHIC – but only within Europe
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) applies to the entire EU and in Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Great Britain, as Stiftung Warentest explains. According to Web.de, however, only medically necessary and non -sliding treatments are reimbursed – i.e. no planned visits to the doctor or a longer -known complaints.
Private doctors should be avoided as far as possible, since statutory health insurance companies usually only take on their services – and at most in the amount of the cash register rates that are common in Germany. The EHIC is not enough to travel to Turkey, Tunisia or Bosnia-Herzegovina. In these cases, according to the Stiftung Warentest, a foreign health insurance certificate must be applied for in advance from the health insurance company.
The statutory cash register does not do that
Return transport to Germany is generally not taken over by statutory health insurance, not even for serious illnesses or accidents, as Stiftung Warentest emphasizes.
According to Web.de, it can also happen that patients have to in advance – especially in countries outside the EU in which the EHIC is not recognized. In order to get the costs reimbursed later, the documents should be completely and if possible in German or English.
Why additional insurance makes sense
Foreign health insurance covers services that the statutory health insurance fund does not cover – including return transports, private treatments and often also own shares. According to Stiftung Warentest, there are very good tariffs for less than eight euros per year.
Caution should be exercised for insurance packages via credit cards: these often only apply to a limited extent, often only when booking via the card – and not always for all family members. Therefore, Stiftung Warentest recommends that the important international protection be completed separately.
Tips for emergency and preparation
According to Web.de, travelers should check the validity of their EHIC before departure, request an abroad if necessary and have important emergency numbers at hand – for example from health insurance, supplementary insurance and family doctor.
If there is an illness on vacation, it is important to consult contract doctors, to present the EHIC right at the start and carefully keep all receipts and treatment evidence.
As Stiftung Warentest explains, video consultation hours with German doctors can also be a sensible alternative in the event of less acute complaints – including digital sick leave and recipe.
Editor finance.net