How the estimate is created
German university hospitals generally calculate an international-patient estimate after the responsible clinical department reviews the case and defines the expected diagnostics or treatment. The estimate is provisional because the final invoice depends on the care actually delivered.
- Medical records reviewed first
- Expected treatment plan defined by the clinical team
- Administrative cost estimate prepared
- Advance payment may be required before confirmation
- Final settlement follows the actual treatment episode
What can change the total treatment budget
The treatment strategy and duration are the major drivers of cost.
- Pathology review and additional diagnostic testing
- MRI, PSMA PET/CT or other staging studies when indicated
- Surgery and inpatient stay
- Radiotherapy planning and number of sessions
- Hormonal, targeted or other systemic treatment
- Nuclear-medicine treatment in selected settings
- Follow-up visits or repeated treatment trips
Avoid comparing different treatment strategies as if they were the same product
A lower quotation may simply represent a different clinical plan. Compare quotations only after understanding which treatment strategy each center is proposing and which later phases are included.
Official sources
Last source-reviewed 2026-08-29. Cost procedures and published service fees can change, so confirm current terms directly with the provider before transferring money or booking travel.