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Travel

Vorkasse (prepayment)

The German system requiring upfront payment into escrow before the hospital issues a visa invitation letter.

Vorkasse is the German hospital prepayment system — foreign patients must deposit an estimated treatment cost into an escrow-like hospital account before the hospital will issue the invitation letter needed for a Schengen medical visa. Deposits for complex care can be €20,000-€100,000+. Refunds for unused amounts take 4-6 weeks post-discharge.

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