Other risks
Tick-borne encephalitis is present in forested areas of southern Germany. Vaccination is advisable. HIV testing is required for foreigners staying more than 180 days in Bavaria. Foreign tests are not accepted.
Rabies is present; look out for ‘Tollwut’ signs. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay.

Health care
European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland:
If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Each country has different rules about state medical provision. In some, treatment is free. In many countries you will have to pay part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which will no longer be valid after 31 December 2005. Some restrictions apply depending on your nationality.
Doctors and dentists: The emergency telephone number is 112. The insurance fund you contact will have a list of doctors and dentists who treat patients under the state scheme (including hospitals). Travelers will need to pay a fixed charge to see a doctor or dentist, which is not refundable.
Medicines prescribed by the doctor can be obtained from any pharmacy in exchange for the prescription. You will be liable for a percentage of the prescription charge. These costs are non-refundable. For 'minor' drugs and medicines, such as painkillers and cough mixtures, you may be charged the full amount. Chemists are open Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 0900-1200.
Travelers can be referred to a hospital by a doctor. In an emergency, you can go directly to a contracted hospital. The hospital will then contact the insurance fund so that they can confirm that your treatment costs will be met. For the first 14 days of hospital in-patient treatment, you will have to pay a fixed daily hospital charge, which will not be reimbursed. Patients up to the age of 18 do not have to pay this charge.
The local Health Insurance Fund (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse or AOK) handles reimbursements.
Private insurance is recommended for specialist medical treatment outside the German National Health Service, which can be very expensive.