Promotion of the Establishment of Female and Male Physicians in Rural Areas

The funding measure supports physicians in settling in rural areas of Thuringia through one-time investment grants. Eligible expenses include practice premises and practice equipment in the context of a new establishment, takeover, or establishment of a branch or satellite practice, as well as measures to create barrier-free access. Grant amounts of up to €40,000 per full contracted physician position in municipalities with fewer than 15,000 inhabitants, up to €20,000 for branch and satellite practices in locations with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants, and up to €5,000 for barrier-free renovation measures can be awarded. Excluded, among other things, are the acquisition of motor vehicles and intangible goodwill costs in practice takeovers. Requirements include the approval of the admission committee, the location in a rural Thuringian municipality, no blocking effect due to a statutory health insurance planning area, and the commitment to continue the practice for at least 60 months.

Eligible applicants are self-employed physicians and operators of medical care centers who are active within the framework of outpatient statutory medical care. Applications can be submitted in writing at any time to the Thuringian State Administration Office. The application must be accompanied by the currently valid funding guideline, the application form, and the procedural instructions. The funding strengthens regional healthcare by specifically promoting investments in infrastructure and barrier-free practice design, thereby creating attractive conditions for long-term establishment in structurally weak regions.