Medical healthcare for refugees is strictly regulated by law in Germany, but the great regional variation in the implementation is currently a huge challenge for healthcare providers. Providers are often not familiar with the specific local regulations and, especially in emergencies, it is often not possible to clarify open questions before treating patients. The high influx of refugees in the summer and fall of 2015 led to a situation that could only be managed with the voluntary and pragmatic help of all healthcare personnel involved. This article explains the most relevant regulations covering medical healthcare for refugees and asylum seekers. In addition, the procedure for the approval of asylum status in itself can have a direct or indirect impact on the health status of these individuals; therefore, some comments are made regarding this aspect. © 2016, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.

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