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Which medical certificate do I need for trip cancellation insurance?

In short

Which medical certificate do I need for trip cancellation insurance? A doctor's certificate that you are unfit to travel (Attest), with diagnosis, start of the illness and treatment dates, usually on the insurer's form. A sick note for your employer is normally not enough. For mental illness many policies want a psychiatrist. The certificate costs about EUR 5 to 20, which you pay yourself.

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What it costs

What a certificate costs under the German fee schedule for doctors and what remains after the deductible, from published figures.

Example	Typical range
Short certificate on a form, fee schedule item 70, 2.3 times the rate	about EUR 5.36
Detailed medical report, fee schedule item 75, 2.3 times the rate	about EUR 17.43
Certificate including examination and advice	about EUR 20 to 40
Deductible for illness in many tariffs	20 percent of the cancellation costs, at least EUR 25 per person

Guide values as of October 2026.

The fees for certificates come from the German fee schedule for doctors (GOÄ); the amount for a certificate with examination is a guide value from our quoting practice.

Whether your tariff has a deductible is set out in your contract.

Worked example

Package holiday for two, EUR 2,400, pneumonia twelve days before departure

The GP makes the diagnosis and certifies unfitness to travel on the insurer's form the same day. The trip is cancelled that evening, and the operator charges 50 percent.

Trip price	EUR 2,400
Cancellation costs 50 percent	EUR 1,200
Deductible 20 percent	EUR 240
Certificate, paid by you	about EUR 20
Refund	EUR 960

With a complete certificate and a quick cancellation you get EUR 960. Without a certificate, or with one issued late, the claim may be refused. Worked example with guide values.

Why a sick note is not enough

The sick note (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung) only says that you cannot work. For trip cancellation, the insurer has to check whether you have an unexpected serious illness and whether you cannot reasonably travel because of it. For that it needs the diagnosis, when the illness started and a statement on fitness to travel.

The model terms of the German insurance industry ask for a certificate with diagnosis and treatment dates. The insurer may ask for the sick note as well, but it does not replace the certificate. Forms are usually in German, so take the insurer's form with you to the doctor.

Reason for cancelling	Proof usually required
Unexpected serious illness	certificate of unfitness to travel with diagnosis and treatment dates
Serious accident	certificate with diagnosis, date of the accident and treatment dates
Mental illness	certificate from a psychiatrist
Illness of a close relative	certificate on their illness and why you need to be there
Pregnancy, vaccine intolerance	doctor's certificate with diagnosis and date
Death of a close relative	death certificate, no medical certificate

What the certificate must say

Typical forms ask for the exact diagnosis, when the illness first appeared and was treated, whether it is linked to an earlier condition, how long it is expected to last, whether a hospital stay is needed and since when you have been fully unfit to travel. The date on which the doctor advised you to cancel also matters.

The question about earlier illness is sensitive. With a known pre-existing condition, many tariffs only pay if it got worse unexpectedly. Ask your doctor to state this clearly.

Specialist, timing and cost

For mental illness such as severe depression or an anxiety disorder, many terms require a certificate from a psychiatrist, and one from your GP is then not enough. Appointments are scarce, so book early and let the insurer know.

Get your unfitness to travel certified before or when you cancel. Certificates issued weeks after the cancellation are often not accepted by insurers or courts. You pay for the certificate yourself, as it is not covered by public health insurance, and the practice should tell you beforehand.

When the insurer asks for more

The insurer may obtain a further specialist opinion at its own cost and ask you to release your doctor from confidentiality. If you refuse, it can reduce or refuse the payout.

When you do not need a medical certificate: for reasons that are not about illness, such as losing your job or damage to your home. There, a termination letter, a police report or similar proof counts.

Step by step

Download or request the insurer's medical certificate form.
See a doctor and have unfitness to travel certified with diagnosis and treatment dates.
For mental illness, book an appointment with a psychiatrist early.
Cancel the trip at once to keep cancellation costs low.
Send the certificate, cancellation invoice, booking confirmation and proof of insurance.

Checklist

Insurer's form used
Diagnosis, start and treatment dates filled in
Full unfitness to travel confirmed
Psychiatrist for mental illness
Certificate issued close to the cancellation
Cancellation invoice and booking documents attached

Common mistakes

Sending only the sick note
Cancelling first and getting the certificate weeks later
Getting only a GP certificate for mental illness
Hiding a known pre-existing condition that shows up in the certificate

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

Is a sick note enough for trip cancellation insurance?

Usually not. The insurer needs the diagnosis, the start of the illness and a statement on fitness to travel.

Who pays for the medical certificate?

You do. It is not covered by public health insurance and usually costs about EUR 5 to 20.

Do I need a specialist?

For mental illness, many terms require a psychiatrist. For other illnesses, the treating doctor is usually enough.

Can I hand in the certificate later?

The form yes, but the examination should take place when you cancel. Certificates written much later are often not accepted.

Do I need a certificate if a relative is ill?

Yes, about the relative's illness, ideally stating why you need to be there.

Can the insurer involve another doctor?

Yes, the terms usually allow its own specialist opinion. You have to agree and release your doctor from confidentiality.

What about a known pre-existing condition?

Many tariffs then only pay if it got worse unexpectedly. Have this stated clearly in the certificate.

Sources

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