Apply for a guide dog as an aid

Are you blind or severely visually impaired? Find out here how to apply for a guide dog as an assistive device from your health insurance company.

Detailed description

Guide dogs, also called blind dogs, are specially trained dogs that support you in everyday life if you are blind or severely visually impaired.


The dog will help you find your way around safely.



Your statutory health insurance covers the following costs for a guide dog:

  • acquisition
  • Training
  • Training
  • Equipment:
    • Dishes
    • leash
    • Collar
    • muzzle
    • Identification blanket for off-leash walking

You will also receive a monthly allowance to cover the upkeep costs of 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. You can take your dog with you free of charge on flights and train journeys.

 

Information

Prerequisites

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

Documents required

  • medical prescription indicating the visual impairment

Please note

There are no special instructions to follow.

Deadlines

no

Procedure

  • You can seek advice on whether a guide dog would be a suitable aid for you. Associations for the blind and visually impaired can provide you with relevant contacts.
  • You apply for a guide dog as an assistive device from your statutory health insurance provider.
  • You select the animal at a certified guide dog school with which your health insurance company has a contract. Your health insurance company will inform you about the relevant guide dog schools.
  • A guide dog trainer with a training permit will train you and your dog together.
  • You and the dog will be trained together during an introductory course. You should build the necessary trust with the guide dog, and the guide dog should accept you as its primary caregiver.
  • Together, you will take the so-called team test. This demonstrates that you and your guide dog work well together and that you can react safely even in difficult situations.
  • When you are traveling together in traffic, your guide dog wears a white harness with a handle.

Processing time

Your health insurance company will decide on your application for a guide dog within 2 months of receiving your application.


Training a guide dog can take 6 months or longer.

Fees


  • 10 EUR


For assistive devices, the co-payment rule applies, where you pay a maximum of €10. Under certain conditions, you are exempt from the co-payment obligation.

Legal remedies


  • contradiction

  • social lawsuit

Legal basis

Annex 11 to Section 25 Paragraphs 1 and 4 of the Federal Subsidy Ordinance (BBhV)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/bbhv/anlage_11.html




Section 33 of the Social Code, Book Five (SGB V)


https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/sgb_5/__33.html

Links on the Internet

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Keywords: Aids for the blind guide dog aids checkout service health insurance benefit

Last updated: 10.10.2026