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Applying for a guide dog as an aid

Are you blind or severely visually impaired? Then you can apply to your health insurance company for a guide dog as an aid.

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Procedure details

Guide dogs for the blind, also known colloquially as seeing-eye dogs, are specially trained dogs that support you in everyday life if you are blind or severely visually impaired.

With the help of the dog, you can find your way around safely. For example, the dogs can

  • seek out specific destinations
  • avoid obstacles
  • recognize dangers
  • indicate roads that merge
  • cross the road with you
  • indicate obstacles such as stairs and steps

Your statutory health insurance will cover the costs of a guide dog for the blind:

  • purchase
  • training
  • training
  • Equipment:
    • Harness
    • leash
    • Collar
    • Muzzle
    • Identification blanket for the free run

You will also receive a monthly lump sum to cover the maintenance costs for your dog. Guide dogs for the blind are generally exempt from dog tax, but require a tax tag.

A ban on dogs, for example in grocery stores, museums or churches, does not apply to guide dogs for the blind. You can take your dog with you free of charge when traveling by plane or train.

  • You are blind or have a severe visual impairment.
  • You have a prescription for a guide dog from your ophthalmologist certifying the need for a guide dog.
  • You can ensure that the dog is properly housed and fed. This includes daily exercise.
  • You are personally suitable and willing to live with a dog
  • You must have successfully completed a course in orientation and mobility (O & M) so that you can move around without having to be guided by a sighted person if the guide dog is unavailable, for example during breaks or rest periods.
  • You complete training together with the dog and successfully pass the team test.

  • Required Documents
    • Medical prescription for the guide dog aid

  • It is very useful to have a consultation to find out whether a guide dog is a suitable aid for you. The associations for the blind and visually impaired can put you in touch with appropriate contacts.
  • You apply to your statutory health insurance fund for a guide dog as an aid.
  • If the application is approved, you can select the animal from a certified guide dog school with which your health insurance company has a contract. Your health insurance company will provide you with information about the relevant guide dog schools.
  • As a rule, the dogs are trained as required, so you will receive your guide dog after 6 months at the earliest.
  • A guide dog trainer with a training license will train you and your dog together.
  • Once you have completed your training, you and your dog will be introduced to each other as part of a familiarization course. You should build up the necessary trust in the guide dog and the guide dog should accept you as a caregiver.
  • You will take the so-called team test together. This proves that you and your guide dog work well together and that you can react safely even in difficult situations.
  • When you move around in traffic together, your guide dog will wear a white harness with a harness handle.

The co-payment rule applies to medical aids, where you pay a maximum of EUR 10. Under certain conditions, you are exempt from the co-payment obligation.
fee: 10 EUR

There is no deadline.

Your health insurance fund must decide on your application for a guide dog for the blind within 2 months of receiving your application. If it does not do so, it must inform you of the reasons in writing. (2 Monate)

There are no indications / special features.

  • Appeal against the decision of the health insurance fund
  • Complaint to the competent social court

Status: 09.03.2025
Editorially responsible for prodecure description: Bundesministerium für Gesundheit
Source: Federal Portal