A companion can be valuable during treatment abroad, but hospitals distinguish between a visitor, a person staying nearby and a formally accommodated accompanying person. Whether someone can stay in the patient's room, whether that stay is medically necessary, and what it costs depend on the hospital, ward, clinical situation and available accommodation. International patients should clarify the companion's role before travel rather than assuming that the treatment booking automatically includes a second person.
1. Decide what role the companion will actually have
A companion may mainly provide emotional support, help with travel and logistics, keep track of appointments, collect documents or assist after discharge. In some situations a clinician may consider an accompanying person medically necessary; in others, the person is present by patient choice. These are not the same administrative category and can have different accommodation and billing consequences.
- Travel and airport support
- Help with check-in and appointments
- Keeping a written list of questions
- Collecting discharge documents and prescriptions
- Helping with mobility or daily tasks after discharge
- Being an emergency contact for the hospital
2. Do not assume the companion can sleep in the hospital room
UKE's hospital terms state that an accompanying person may be admitted when the treating hospital physician considers this medically necessary and hospital accommodation is possible. UKE also allows accommodation by patient request as an elective service when capacity and clinical circumstances permit. This illustrates a general rule: ask the receiving hospital explicitly whether the companion will stay in the patient's room, in another hospital room, in a guest house or outside the hospital.
3. Book accommodation separately unless the hospital confirms otherwise
International-patient offices may help families find accommodation, but that does not mean the cost is included in treatment. UKE lists support with accommodation arrangements for family members before treatment. Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité has a guest house on the hospital grounds for relatives and other accompanying persons and explicitly states that these expenses are not included in the patient package price.
- Ask whether the hospital has a guest house
- Confirm walking or travel time to the ward
- Check cancellation rules if the treatment date can move
- Ask whether breakfast or meals are included
- Confirm accessibility if the companion has mobility needs
- Budget for a longer stay if discharge is delayed
4. Visiting access depends on the ward, not only on the patient
Hospitals and individual wards set their own visiting arrangements. UKE notes that every ward has individual visiting hours and advises relatives to coordinate with nursing staff; intensive-care and pediatric areas can have additional restrictions. A companion should therefore not assume unrestricted bedside access throughout the day or during examinations and procedures.
5. A companion is not automatically a medical interpreter
Family members can provide reassurance and practical help, but complex medical consent requires reliable communication. Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité asks international patients who need interpretation to arrange an interpreter and notes that interpreting costs are not included in its estimate. If the patient does not confidently understand the language used by the treating team, organize professional language support instead of relying only on the companion.
6. Clarify what information the hospital may share with the companion
Being a spouse, relative or travel companion does not automatically make someone the decision-maker for an adult patient. The patient should tell the clinical team whom they authorize to receive information or participate in discussions, especially if the companion will coordinate care after discharge. If a formal health-care proxy or other legal authority may be needed, ask the hospital what documentation it requires rather than improvising after the patient becomes unable to communicate.
7. Include the companion in discharge planning when they will provide care
A companion's most important work may begin after discharge. UKE states that relatives and other trusted persons are welcome in discharge planning and offers bedside counseling and training for relatives who will provide care at home. If the companion will help with wound care, mobility, medication or daily activities, ask the treating team what they need to learn before leaving the hospital.
- Medication schedule
- Mobility and lifting restrictions
- Wound or device care instructions
- Warning signs requiring urgent review
- Follow-up appointment dates
- When the patient may travel
- Who to contact with post-discharge questions
8. Budget for the companion separately from the treatment estimate
The companion may create costs that sit outside the hospital's treatment estimate: lodging, meals, local transport, interpreting, visa-related expenses and a longer stay if the clinical schedule changes. Charité's current elective-services information, for example, separately prices accommodation and meals for an accompanying person without a medical reason. Treat these expenses as a separate travel budget unless the hospital gives written confirmation that a specific item is included.
9. Keep the companion's travel plan flexible
Treatment dates, discharge and post-treatment checks can change. Avoid planning the companion's return trip around the earliest possible discharge date. If the companion is expected to escort the patient home, ask the treating team when the patient is likely to be fit for the planned mode of travel and whether a follow-up visit in Germany is expected before departure.
Companion / caregiver planning checklist
Before travel, make the companion's administrative, financial and practical role explicit.
- Companion named in hospital correspondence if requested
- Accommodation confirmed
- Hospital visiting / ward access checked
- Interpreter arranged separately when needed
- Information-sharing permission discussed with the patient
- Companion's visa and travel documents checked
- Separate budget for lodging, meals and transport
- Post-discharge responsibilities understood
- Flexible return booking
- Emergency and hospital contact numbers saved
Official sources
Last source-reviewed 2026-08-29. Administrative, insurance, reimbursement, billing and visa rules can change. Follow current official instructions before acting.
- Process for international patients – family accommodation and interpreter support — University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) ↗
- Patient family – visiting information — University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) ↗
- Hospital terms – accompanying persons — University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) ↗
- Discharge and Family Care — University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) ↗
- International patients – accommodation and interpreting — Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité ↗
- Guest houses and accommodation — Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité ↗
- International patients at Charité — Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin ↗