Discharge is a clinical handover, not simply the end of the hospital stay. International patients should leave Germany with enough medical information for the doctor who will continue care at home, a clear medication plan, access to relevant imaging and a written understanding of follow-up. The exact documents and services vary by hospital and diagnosis, so the discharge plan should be discussed before the final day rather than at the airport.
1. Start discharge planning before the last day
The exact discharge date can change with recovery and test results. UKE states that the attending physician and nurse hold a concluding discussion before discharge, while Germany's federal health portal recommends addressing discharge needs early so follow-up care, rehabilitation or other support can be organized in time.
- Expected discharge date or range
- Whether another outpatient visit is needed before travel
- Who will provide follow-up care at home
- Whether rehabilitation or nursing support is recommended
- Who to contact if the plan changes after discharge
2. Leave with a physician's letter and treatment summary
UKE says patients receive a physician's letter on the day of discharge and should take it to the doctor responsible for further treatment as soon as possible. The German federal health portal describes the discharge letter as a key handover document containing diagnoses, treatment performed, findings, medication and recommendations for further care.
- Diagnoses and relevant findings
- Operations, procedures and treatments performed
- Important pathology or laboratory results
- Complications or significant events during admission
- Current medication
- Follow-up recommendations and planned examinations
- Hospital contact details for clinical questions
3. Confirm which report is preliminary and when the final report will follow
A discharge-day letter may be preliminary while later pathology, laboratory or other results are still pending. Germany's federal health portal notes that a preliminary doctor's letter is commonly provided at discharge and the final letter can follow later. International patients should ask how the final version will be delivered and whether it can also be sent to the doctor continuing care abroad.
4. Get an up-to-date medication plan and enough information for the next prescriber
Medication can change during a hospital stay. UKE advises patients to receive an updated medication chart before leaving, and its international-patient workflow includes assistance with prescriptions and refills. Ask which medicines should continue, which were stopped, the dose and duration, and who should prescribe the next supply after return home.
- Generic name and brand name where useful
- Dose and timing
- Planned duration
- Which previous medicines were stopped or changed
- Monitoring requirements
- What to do if a medicine is unavailable in the home country
- Who should issue the next prescription
5. Do not assume German discharge prescriptions solve medication access abroad
German discharge-management rules can allow hospitals to bridge certain prescriptions for a short period, but entitlement and practical use depend on the patient's insurance status and circumstances. International self-paying patients should not rely on a domestic German discharge rule as their cross-border medication plan. Confirm supply, prescription format and follow-on prescribing before leaving Germany.
6. Request copies of imaging and other records needed at home
UKE's international-patient process specifically includes requesting a CD with imaging before discharge. The Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité also states that patients can request a DVD of examinations or printouts of findings. For complex cases, ask which imaging, operative reports, pathology results and procedure records should accompany the discharge letter so the next team can review the actual evidence rather than only a summary.
- CT, MRI, PET or angiography image data where relevant
- Written radiology reports
- Operative or procedure report
- Pathology / histology report
- Implant or device documentation when applicable
- Key laboratory results
- Discharge letter and medication plan
7. Clarify follow-up before booking the return journey
Hospital discharge does not automatically mean that immediate long-distance travel is appropriate. Ask the treating team when the next examination is needed, whether a wound or procedure site must be checked in Germany, and when the patient may travel according to the individual clinical situation. Do not infer travel fitness from the discharge date alone.
- Earliest recommended travel date
- Required check before departure
- Next blood test, imaging or specialist review
- Activity or lifting restrictions
- Medication precautions during travel
- Warning signs that require urgent local medical care
8. Make the handover to the home doctor explicit
Arrange a follow-up appointment with the doctor who will continue care and provide the discharge documents promptly. UKE advises patients to take the physician's letter to the doctor responsible for further treatment as soon as possible. If the home doctor needs clarification, ask the German department which clinical contact route should be used.
9. The financial episode may continue after the medical discharge
International-patient billing can continue after the patient leaves. UKE describes incoming invoices, preparation of the final invoice and refund of any remaining balance after discharge. Keep the hospital updated with the correct postal/email contact and bank details where required, and retain the advance-payment receipt until final settlement is complete.
A practical international-patient discharge checklist
Before leaving the hospital or Germany, confirm that the medical handover and the travel plan are both complete.
- Discharge / physician's letter
- Final-report delivery plan
- Current medication plan
- Necessary prescriptions or medication supply
- Imaging files and written reports
- Operative/pathology/device documents where relevant
- Follow-up schedule
- Home-doctor appointment
- Written travel guidance from the treating team
- Emergency / clinical contact instructions
- Final-billing contact and refund details
Official sources
Last source-reviewed 2026-08-29. Clinical guidance, hospital instructions and airline or travel-provider requirements can change. Follow the treating team's current individualized advice and the relevant provider's current rules before acting.
- Process for international patients – discharge and final billing — University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) ↗
- Your discharge from the hospital — University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) ↗
- Hospital discharge – what’s next? — gesund.bund.de – German Federal Ministry of Health ↗
- Patient management – discharge documents — Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité ↗