Establishment of Rural General Practitioners

Funding Initiative to Strengthen Primary Care in Rural Areas
In Baden-Württemberg, aspiring and established specialists in general medicine, pediatric and adolescent medicine, as well as internists working in primary care, are supported when starting or taking over a practice in rural funding areas. The measure aims to reduce bottlenecks in primary care and to create attractive long-term conditions for local medical care. Both new practice establishments and the setting up of branch practices, as well as the employment of contracted physicians, are funded. A prerequisite is establishment in an area designated by the ministry, commencement of activity within six months after approval, connection to the telematics infrastructure, and five years of primary care activity on site. Active participation in cross-sector care services is also expected, as is approval by the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians for branch practices with at least ten weekly hours spread over three days.

Financial Support and Submission
The program grants a one-time basic funding amount ranging from €10,000 to €25,000 per applicant, depending on the care level of the funding area and the scope of the care mandate. An additional funding of up to €5,000 can be applied for if external third-party funding for establishment is available. Applications can be submitted at any time before the planned measure begins to the responsible Ministry of Social Affairs, Health and Integration. The grant lowers financial barriers to entering outpatient care and creates incentives for a permanent presence in rural areas.