Info
Resources for Germany
The information below applies to care received in Germany. It comes from official sources, each with a link and the date it was last checked. If you are treated in another country, open that country's page instead: emergency numbers, services and rights are different.
Urgent and crisis contacts
Emergency: call 112
- TelefonSeelsorge0800 111 0 111
available around the clock (24/7)
Source checked on 2026-07-14. Source: telefonseelsorge.de
Next scheduled review: 2026-10-14
Numbers come from first-party sources. Confirm them if the situation is critical.
Cancer support services
- Krebsinformationsdienst (DKFZ)0800 420 30 40
The cancer information service (DKFZ) — doctors answer your questions.
daily, 8am–8pm
Source checked on 2026-07-14. Source: krebsinformationsdienst.de
Next scheduled review: 2026-10-14
- Deutsche Krebshilfe — INFONETZ KREBS0800 80 70 88 77
Free Deutsche Krebshilfe counselling: medical, socio-legal, financial, psychological.
Mon–Fri, 8am–5pm
Source checked on 2026-07-14. Source: krebshilfe.de
Next scheduled review: 2026-10-14
Hours are shown in the service's local time unless another timezone is stated.
Source checked internally. External specialist review is still pending. We curate this list from official sources. Check the details on the organisation's website.
Rights and financial support
For information only, not legal advice. Rules change — check the official source or an adviser.
- Entgeltfortzahlung & Krankengeld (paid sick leave)
Jurisdiction: Germany
Your employer continues your full salary for the first 6 weeks of sick leave; after that your statutory health insurance pays Krankengeld (a large share of your previous pay) for up to 78 weeks within 3 years for the same illness. Keep your doctor's sick certificates gap-free and contact your Krankenkasse to arrange payment.
Source checked on 2026-07-14. Source: bundesgesundheitsministerium.de
Next scheduled review: 2026-10-14
- Schwerbehindertenausweis (disability card, GdB 50+)
Jurisdiction: Germany
Most cancer patients qualify for severe-disability status (GdB of at least 50), usually granted for up to 5 years after diagnosis, which brings extra vacation days, stronger dismissal protection and tax relief. Apply at your local Versorgungsamt — hospital social services or cancer counselling centres can help with the forms.
Source checked on 2026-07-14. Source: krebsinformationsdienst.de
Next scheduled review: 2026-10-14
- Onkologische Reha (cancer rehabilitation)
Jurisdiction: Germany
After primary cancer treatment you can get an oncological rehab of usually 3 weeks (inpatient or full-day outpatient), often as Anschlussrehabilitation (AHB) starting directly after hospital discharge. Apply via Deutsche Rentenversicherung — the hospital social service can file the application before you leave.
Source checked on 2026-07-14. Source: deutsche-rentenversicherung.de
Next scheduled review: 2026-10-14
- Zuzahlungsbefreiung (co-payment cap)
Jurisdiction: Germany
Statutory co-payments (prescriptions, hospital days, therapies, transport) are capped at 2% of your household's gross annual income — and at 1% if you are seriously chronically ill, which usually applies during long-term cancer treatment. Collect your co-payment receipts and apply for the exemption at your Krankenkasse once the cap is reached.
Source checked on 2026-07-14. Source: bundesgesundheitsministerium.de
Next scheduled review: 2026-10-14
- Fahrtkosten (travel costs to treatment)
Jurisdiction: Germany
Trips to repeated outpatient treatment such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy can be covered by your health insurance, with only a small co-payment per ride. Ask your doctor for a transport prescription (Verordnung einer Krankenbeförderung) and have your Krankenkasse approve it before using a taxi or car service.
Source checked on 2026-07-14. Source: krebsinformationsdienst.de
Next scheduled review: 2026-10-14
- Erwerbsminderungsrente (disability pension)
Jurisdiction: Germany
If your health permanently limits how much you can work, you may receive a full pension (able to work under 3 hours a day) or a partial one (3 to under 6 hours), provided you have generally been insured 5 years with 3 years of contributions. Apply at Deutsche Rentenversicherung and attach medical reports — rehabilitation is assessed first ('Reha vor Rente').
Source checked on 2026-07-14. Source: deutsche-rentenversicherung.de
Next scheduled review: 2026-10-14
- Pflegezeit & Pflegeunterstützungsgeld (caregivers)
Jurisdiction: Germany
In an acute care situation, relatives may stay off work up to 10 working days per year and claim Pflegeunterstützungsgeld as wage replacement from the Pflegekasse of the person needing care. For longer care at home, Pflegezeit (up to 6 months, employers with more than 15 staff) and Familienpflegezeit (up to 24 months part-time, more than 25 staff) protect the caregiver's job.
Source checked on 2026-07-14. Source: bundesgesundheitsministerium.de
Next scheduled review: 2026-10-14
- Haushaltshilfe (household help)
Jurisdiction: Germany
If a hospital stay, rehab or home nursing means nobody in your household can keep it running — especially with a child under 12 (or a disabled child) at home — your statutory health insurance can fund a household help, with a small daily co-payment. Apply at your Krankenkasse before the treatment period; many Kassen extend this benefit beyond the legal minimum.
Source checked on 2026-07-14. Source: bundesgesundheitsministerium.de
Next scheduled review: 2026-10-14
Source checked internally. External specialist review is still pending.
Resources for another country
This page is also written for Romanians treated outside Romania. The same content, from the same sources, exists in Romanian and in English.
We are not a healthcare provider and we do not give legal advice. Confirm anything critical directly with the cited source or with your medical team.