Funding for the Establishment of Doctors in Rural Areas

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Who is funded

This funding program targets doctors and medical care centers that intend to establish a practice, take over an existing one, or set up a branch/satellite practice in rural Thuringia. The goal is to ensure local and high-quality outpatient medical care in the Free State of Thuringia, especially in regions facing imminent or existing underprovision.

What is funded

The program supports investments in the establishment or takeover of medical practices, as well as branch and satellite practices. Furthermore, measures to create accessibility in practices are supported. The funding aims to strengthen the necessary infrastructure for outpatient contractual medical care in rural areas.

Type and Extent of Funding

The funding is granted as a non-repayable grant within the framework of fixed-amount financing. The maximum funding amount varies depending on the size of the municipality and the type of practice, with accessibility measures being eligible for additional funding. The duration of the funded establishment must be at least 60 months.

Conditions and Requirements

The granting of funding is tied to various legal and operational conditions, including the approval of the responsible admissions committees, compliance with specific population limits, and the obligation to permanently maintain practice operations. Furthermore, the grants are subject to the De minimis Regulation and the principle of subsidiarity compared to other funding opportunities.

Application Procedure

The application must be submitted in writing to the Thuringian State Administration Office, using specific forms and supporting documents. Approval is at the discretion of the authority within the limits of available budget funds, and disbursement occurs upon request. The use of funds is controlled through extensive reporting and auditing obligations.

Legal Basis

The funding program is based on the Guideline on the Granting of Subsidies for the Establishment of Doctors, Dentists, and Pharmacists in Rural Areas dated November 22, 2023. This guideline is supplemented by further state and European regulations and serves to ensure outpatient medical and pharmaceutical care in Thuringia.