Which medical services can a wellness hotel offer in Germany — and which partners does it need?

By Serhiy Vakhnenko, entrepreneur and CEO of Dominart Real Estate GmbH
Updated: 9 October 2026

How can a traditional spa introduce medical and longevity programmes, choose suitable equipment and build a viable business model?

The short answer: Medical services can be integrated into a hotel concept through professionals legally authorised to provide the relevant services. The hotel delivers hospitality and coordination; medical partners take responsibility for diagnosis, clinical decisions and treatment. The structure depends on the services, professional permissions, premises, equipment and applicable legal requirements.

The label “medical wellness” or “longevity hotel” does not, by itself, authorise hotel staff to practise medicine. The starting point is the service offering, partners and operating model — before equipment purchasing.

In this article

• Services a hotel can integrate
• Partners the project needs
• Our experience and approach
• Equipment and operating protocols
• Leasing, partnerships and project economics
• Frequently asked questions

Which medical and health-focused services suit a wellness hotel?

When developing the concept, distinguish the hotel's non-medical services from those delivered by medical partners.

1. Wellness and restorative stays

Relaxation, general movement programmes, balanced nutrition and non-medical guidance on sleep habits can form the foundation. Staff work within their qualifications, without independently diagnosing illnesses or prescribing treatment.

2. Physician-led preventive care

Individually selected examinations, consultations, risk assessments and discussions of results can be organised with a medical practice or clinic. The responsible clinician determines whether examinations are appropriate: an extensive laboratory panel does not automatically make a programme valuable.

3. Medical treatment and therapeutic services

Medical procedures and physiotherapy services require the appropriate professionals and suitable conditions. Permissions, scope of practice, premises and responsibilities must be assessed for the specific services proposed.

In Germany, the actual purpose of a service matters more than its marketing name. Activities intended to identify, cure or alleviate diseases may fall within the definition of Heilkunde under Section 1 of the German Heilpraktikergesetz.

A possible starting model: a health-focused hotel stay combined with a separately organised, clinically justified check-up at a partner practice or clinic. An in-house clinic is not necessary for every project.

Which partners does a medical wellness or longevity hotel need?

• Physicians or a partner clinic: clinical assessment, diagnosis, prescriptions, patient information and follow-up.
• Laboratories: appropriate investigations, with clinical interpretation provided by the responsible professional.
• Therapists, trainers and advisers: services within their professional competence and legally permitted scope.
• Manufacturers and service providers: documentation, equipment training, maintenance and technical support.
• A project development team: integration into hotel operations and planning of space, staffing, financing and revenue.
• Legal, insurance and data protection specialists: contracts, liability, advertising and the handling of health information.

Before launch, establish who contracts with the guest, who delivers and pays for medical services, who makes clinical decisions and who may access examination results. These responsibilities need named owners and clear agreements.

More than 20 years in hotel projects: from modernisation to longevity

Our team has worked with hotel projects for more than 20 years. A substantial part of that work involves modernising properties and attracting investors, particularly in the wellness hotel sector.

Over the past three years, under the leadership of Serhiy Vakhnenko, we have been developing longevity and biohacking concepts for medical and wellness hotels. Our aim is to connect health-focused services with hospitality, technical capabilities and the economics of the property.

We have developed a modular approach covering equipment selection, staff operating protocols, guest instructions and information, and a financial model. This provides a framework that is adapted to the individual hotel.

Selection is guided by the assessment of scientific evidence for the specific intended use.We consider study quality, the populations studied, limitations and applicability to real operating conditions. Research on a technology does not automatically establish the effectiveness of every device or every programme marketed as “longevity”.

Medical components are agreed with the responsible medical partners. Hospitality consulting does not replace their clinical expertise or responsibility.

Why there is no universal equipment package for wellness hotels

A hotel serving short stays, a medical hotel running longer programmes and a resort welcoming local day guests require different solutions. Their audiences, objectives, length of stay, staffing and budgets differ.

Even red-light and near-infrared panels should not be selected on price or advertising claims alone. Intended use, technical specifications, manufacturer documentation, limitations, safety and the proposed operating scenario all matter. These panels should not be confused with ultraviolet equipment.

Medical devices are also subject to applicable operating requirements. In Germany, Section 4 of the Medizinprodukte-Betreiberverordnung addresses matters including use in accordance with the intended purpose, the user's required knowledge and training.

What our approach includes

• Equipment selection for defined services, audiences and budgets.
• Operating instructions, role allocation and staff training.
• Guest information and medical assessment pathways where required.
• Planning for hygiene, maintenance and technical support.
• Calculations of service capacity, pricing and resource requirements.

Protocols support consistent operations. They do not replace professional authorisations, clinical decisions or the manufacturer's instructions for use.

Does the hotel have to buy expensive equipment?

No. We have developed cooperation options that consider leasing and partner programmes alongside direct purchase. The choice depends on demand, available capital and who will maintain the equipment and deliver the services.

Model	What to assess
Purchase	Initial investment, useful life, maintenance and future replacement.
Leasing	Total contract cost, mandatory payments, service coverage and end-of-term conditions.
Partner-operated service	Partner expertise, service quality, remuneration, responsibilities and the guest experience.
Revenue sharing	Revenue definitions, cost allocation, minimum payments and exit conditions.

Leasing spreads payments over time but does not guarantee lower total costs. A partner programme should be assessed through its contractual terms, rather than a promise to “launch without investment”.

How we assess the economics of a new service

The calculation includes equipment, staff, medical partners, premises, consumables, energy, maintenance, financing and marketing. Revenue is based on the number of services that can realistically be sold and their prices.

The financial model is adapted to the property and assessed at different utilisation levels. Potential additional room nights or increased guest spending are evaluated separately to avoid double-counting revenue. A financial calculation provides a decision-making scenario, not a guaranteed return.

How we work with hotel owners and investors

We are open to several forms of cooperation with medical and wellness hotels: concept development, modernisation of an existing spa, equipment selection, operating model development, assessment of leasing and partnership options, and preparation of the project for investor engagement.

Our interests extend beyond Germany to other European countries and international markets. Each project takes account of local requirements and the proposed medical service structure.

Would you like to assess which medical and longevity programmes suit your hotel?

For an initial discussion, share the location, room count, existing spa facilities, guest profile, team and planned budget. These details help identify the areas worth exploring and the partner capabilities required.

Contact: Dominart Real Estate GmbH.
Learn more about Serhiy Vakhnenko and his work on hotel and longevity projects: LinkedIn profile.

FAQ: Medical services in wellness hotels

Can a wellness hotel offer medical services in Germany?

These services can be integrated through appropriately authorised professionals and subject to the requirements for the specific activity. Operating a hotel does not, by itself, authorise staff to diagnose or treat illnesses.

Does every longevity hotel need its own physician?

Non-medical services do not automatically require an in-house physician. Physician-delivered services require a physician. The choice between an external partnership and an on-site arrangement depends on the proposed programme.

Which services are suitable for an initial launch?

One possible option is to combine non-medical hotel programmes with justified examinations and consultations at a partner medical practice or clinic. Guest needs, clinical appropriateness and commercial viability guide the selection.

Can spa staff deliver medical procedures after equipment training?

Equipment training is not permission to practise medicine. The procedure's legal requirements, the professional's scope of practice and the device user's qualifications must be assessed separately.

Are all biohacking technologies supported by scientific evidence?

No. Biohacking covers a wide range of approaches. Evidence must be assessed for the specific application and claimed outcome, rather than the category as a whole.

Can a hotel launch the service without purchasing equipment?

Leasing or partner operation may be suitable for some projects. These arrangements do not eliminate costs: compare total expenditure, commitments, service coverage and utilisation risk.

Can a hotel promise rejuvenation or guaranteed results?

Advertising claims must be substantiated. Where the German Heilmittelwerbegesetz applies, Section 3 prohibits misleading efficacy claims and the false impression that success can be expected with certainty.

Do you work exclusively in Germany?

No. We consider cooperation in Germany, other European countries and international markets, adapting each concept to local requirements.

Sources and legal context

• Section 1, Heilpraktikergesetz — definition and authorisation requirements for the practice of Heilkunde.
• Section 4, MPBetreibV — general requirements for operating medical devices.
• Section 3, Heilmittelwerbegesetz — misleading advertising.

This article is intended for owners, operators and investors and describes general planning principles. The legal discussion concerns Germany. The article does not replace individual medical or legal advice. Requirements for specific services must be assessed before launch. Statements about the team's experience and developed solutions were provided by the company.