Hospital Costs & Copayments in Germany

Hospital stays in Germany require a statutory copayment of €10 per day for the first 28 days per calendar year. After 28 days of cumulative hospital stays within a year, no further copayment is required. This copayment applies to all GKV-insured adults, while children under 18 are fully exempt from hospital copayments.

Germany has one of the highest hospital bed densities in Europe, with approximately 8 beds per 1,000 inhabitants. The average hospital stay lasts about 7.2 days, somewhat longer than the EU average. Hospital care is funded through a diagnosis-related group (DRG) system, with additional funding for nursing staff, capital investment, and special services.

Patients can choose to upgrade their hospital stay by paying for a single or double room and treatment by the head physician (Chefarztbehandlung). These upgrades typically cost €50–€150 per day for a single room and €30–€80 for a double room. PKV patients and those with supplementary hospital insurance (Krankenhauszusatzversicherung) often receive these amenities as standard.