Germany: Weight loss medication costs may be tax deductible

Prescription weight loss medications, such as pills and injections, may be eligible for tax deductions in Germany as extraordinary burdens. Because health insurance providers typically do not cover these high costs, patients may be able to reduce their tax liability by claiming them on their tax returns.

According to the Bundesverband der Lohnsteuerhilfevereine (BVL), the ability to claim these expenses depends on exceeding a certain threshold of reasonable personal burden, which is determined by income, marital status, and the number of children. Monthly costs for weight loss pills range from approximately 170 to 280 euros, while injections can cost up to 490 euros per month depending on the dosage.

BVL Managing Director Jana Bauer advises patients to collect all relevant receipts. This includes not only the medication itself but also other medical costs, such as travel expenses to doctors, physiotherapists, or pharmacies. For car travel, 30 cents per kilometer can be claimed as an extraordinary burden.