Reimbursement of the costs of medical treatment for the consequences of injury in the event of residence or habitual abode abroad

Injured parties who are resident or ordinarily resident abroad can, under certain conditions, receive reimbursement of the costs of necessary medical treatment for recognized consequences of injury.

If you live abroad and required medical treatment there due to recognized consequences of injury, you can receive reimbursement of costs under certain conditions.

The benefits will only be provided if these needs cannot be covered by existing statutory or private insurance or state benefits.

For example, if your health insurance abroad only covers part of the costs of medical treatment, you may be able to have another part of the costs reimbursed.

Please note that your social security provider will decide whether and to what extent you will receive support.

The responsible office in the state of Hesse is the Hessian Office for Care and Social Affairs (HAVS) Fulda.

You can find it under the following link:

If necessary, you must provide evidence:

• Proof of the costs of medical treatment for recognized consequences of injury
• Proof that the needs are not covered by existing statutory or private insurance or state benefits
• If applicable, proof of other costs incurred in connection with the medical treatment

• You have your place of residence or habitual abode abroad.
• You have one or more recognized consequences of injury.
• You require medical treatment and have covered the costs yourself.
• Your needs are not covered by existing statutory or private insurance or state benefits.

Appeal: An appeal can be lodged against a decision within one month of its notification. Further information on the procedure and the competent authority to which you can lodge an appeal can be found in the notification of your application. The appeal can be submitted in writing and electronically.

When you apply for social compensation benefits, the social compensation law institution will check whether you are entitled to reimbursement of the costs of medical treatment if you are resident or ordinarily resident abroad. You will receive a notification of the decision and, if applicable, information on the benefits granted as well as other necessary evidence.

You can apply for social compensation benefits online or in writing.

• If necessary, you can make an appointment with your contact person at the pension authority or at your responsible office.
• They will then discuss with you whether you are entitled to social compensation benefits and what support services can be offered.
• If necessary, the case management team can discuss the further procedure and possible entitlements to benefits with you that go beyond the general duty to provide information and advice.
• If you are entitled to social compensation benefits, your contact person will discuss the next steps with you.
• The contact person will provide you with the relevant documents. If necessary, complete the documents, enclose the required evidence or supporting documents and send the documents back to your contact person.
• Your claims will be determined ex officio on the basis of the documents. The authority will inform you of the result in the form of a decision, which is usually sent to you by letter.
• If entitlements to benefits have been determined, you will receive an approval notice. If no entitlements are determined, you will receive a rejection notice.
• However, you also have the option of submitting the application online. To do this, you must complete the online application and upload the necessary supporting documents
• The eligible costs and approved cash benefits will be transferred to the account you have specified.

There is no deadline.

The prerequisite for processing is that all mandatory information has been provided. The processing time varies depending on the competent authority and the individual case. It is not possible to give an exact time and it depends on the complexity of the individual case.

The application is free of charge.

Further information can be found on the website of your country or your competent authority.