If you want to rent an electric breast pump, you should expect daily costs of approximately €1.50 to €3.00, plus a deposit between €50 and €150. A doctor’s prescription may exempt those with statutory health insurance from the basic rental fee, but the co-payment for the hygienically necessary accessory kit often remains an out-of-pocket expense. To avoid the long-term costs of renting a breast pump and enjoy maximum freedom in everyday life, many mothers alternatively invest in their own cordless wearable pump.
The total cost of a rental pump consists of several components. Many parents underestimate the fact that the basic daily rental fee is usually not the only expense.
If there is no medical necessity and you want to rent a professional device for purely personal reasons — for example, to gain more flexibility in everyday life or to build up a milk supply — you will have to cover the full cost yourself. The basic rental fees for a clinical-grade stationary device generally fall within the following range:
At first glance, this seems affordable, but over several months, the amount can add up to a significant investment.
Because rental devices are high-value medical devices worth several hundred to more than a thousand euros, pharmacies and medical supply stores usually require a security deposit. The deposit is typically between €50 and €150. This amount must either be paid in cash or blocked on a credit card. After the device is returned undamaged and cleaned, you will of course receive this amount back.
For strict hygiene reasons, pharmacies only rent out the basic device itself. The sterile accessories that come into direct contact with the breast and breast milk must be purchased separately. This is where unexpected out-of-pocket costs can occur: while statutory health insurance often covers only a simple single-use single pumping kit with a prescription, the cost of a double pumping kit for time-saving, bilateral pumping can quickly rise to €30 to €50. If you prefer a more durable premium kit or need special ergonomic silicone breast shields, you will have to pay this additional cost entirely yourself.
In Germany, the provision of an electric breast pump is covered by statutory health insurance under certain conditions. However, this process is rarely completely free of charge or entirely smooth.
For health insurance to cover the rental fees, there must be a clear medical indication. A corresponding prescription from a gynecologist for the mother or from a pediatrician for the baby serves as the formal basis. Typical medical reasons include:
A major bureaucratic pain point in Germany is the duration of a breast pump prescription: initial prescriptions are usually valid for only 2 to 4 weeks. For new mothers, this creates significant stress during the postpartum period. You must submit a prescription from your gynecologist for renewal on time. If you miss the deadline or cannot get a doctor’s appointment in time, the pharmacy immediately switches to private billing and charges you the full daily rental fee from the first day onward.
The path to a rental pump usually goes through established healthcare institutions.
The classic and most commonly used option is the local pharmacy. Almost all larger pharmacies either have suitable rental devices in stock or can order them within a few hours. The focus here is almost exclusively on heavy, corded professional devices. Very often, mothers can rent the well-known Medela Symphony.
Although these devices offer excellent and gentle pumping performance, they come with one major disadvantage: they weigh several kilograms and require a power outlet. As a mother, you are literally tied to the socket throughout the entire pumping session, which may last 15 to 30 minutes several times a day, leaving you fixed on the sofa or chair with very limited mobility.
In addition to pharmacies, specialized online medical supply stores and nationwide rental services, such as Milchpumpen Direkt or regional medical technology retailers, offer convenient delivery services. The process is handled online, the pump is delivered by post, and the prescription is later sent in using a prepaid envelope.
Some maternity clinics lend devices directly to their patients for the first few days after discharge to support the start of breastfeeding at home. Freelance midwives may also have a small supply of rental devices or work closely with local medical supply stores to speed up the process.
Rental services have their place, but they quickly reach their limits in the modern everyday life of active mothers. The trend is clearly moving toward independent, self-contained solutions.
In the first 2 to 4 weeks after birth, the focus is on establishing milk flow or managing acute medical issues. If the baby is not strong enough to suck effectively, a heavy clinical interval breast pump from the pharmacy, such as the Medela Symphony, is absolutely the right choice. Its motor power is designed to help initiate lactation in the first place. Thanks to the prescription, the costs during this sensitive phase are minimal.
Once milk production has settled, flexibility becomes the priority. No one wants to remain tied to a power outlet several times a day for months while housework or an older sibling is waiting. Modern wearables such as the Momcozy M5 Smart or Momcozy Air 1 offer the ideal solution as a cordless breast pump. Without annoying tubes or cables, they are worn discreetly directly in the bra. This gives you 100% hands-free freedom and allows you to move freely throughout your day while the pump works quietly and efficiently.
Buying a wearable pump is often more affordable than renting for several months. If you rent a breast pump privately for two months, or 60 days, without a prescription, you will already pay €120 in rental fees at €2 per day. Together with the cost of a double pumping kit at €50 for personal accessories, the total cost comes to €170.
A brand-new Momcozy wearable pump often costs less than or about the same amount. The key advantage is that the device belongs to you permanently, reduces stress, and retains resale value.
If you decide to use a rental pump, you should follow these steps.
Speak to your gynecologist or pediatrician about the medical necessity. If you want to pump on both sides, make sure the term “double pumping kit” is explicitly noted on the prescription.
Visit a pharmacy that offers a rental service. You will sign a rental agreement, pay the deposit in cash or by card, and take the sterile accessory kit and basic device with you.
You should wipe the main device externally with a damp cloth. All parts of the accessory kit that come into contact with milk must be thoroughly cleaned after each use and sterilized at least once a day, either by boiling or steam sterilization. Before returning the device, it must be fully functional and clean; otherwise, cleaning fees may be deducted from the deposit.
The conditions can vary slightly depending on the region, city, and provider. The following table shows realistic reference values for orientation:
City / Region |
Provider Type |
Daily Price |
Deposit Amount |
Info & Source Link |
Munich |
City pharmacy |
€2.50 |
€100.00 |
|
Berlin |
Medical supply store chain |
€1.90 |
€80.00 |
|
Cologne / NRW |
Online rental service |
€1.60 |
€50.00 |
Health insurance pays exactly as long as a medical indication is documented by a doctor’s prescription. As soon as the doctor no longer issues a renewal, cost coverage ends.
No. Pharmacies and medical supply stores usually only rent large, corded clinical devices, such as the Medela Symphony. Portable cordless breast pumps, such as those from Momcozy, must be purchased privately, but they often become worthwhile quickly compared with long-term rental.
In cases of normal wear and tear or a technical defect that was not your fault, the landlord, usually the pharmacy, is responsible. In cases of improper handling or damage, such as damage caused by dropping the device, the deposited amount may be retained or your liability insurance may need to be contacted.
Only if the doctor explicitly notes “double pumping kit” or “bilateral pumping” on the prescription. If the prescription only says “accessory kit,” usually only the flat rate for a single-set kit is reimbursed.
Yes, this is possible at any time as a self-paying customer. You then pay the regular daily rental fee as well as the full cost of the accessory kit yourself.
Use this template to avoid unnecessary trips and clarify in advance whether a device can be reserved:
Subject: Inquiry: availability of electric breast pump for rental
Dear Sir or Madam,
I have received a prescription from my doctor for an electric breast pump, including [ ] single set / [ ] double pumping kit. Do you currently have any available rental devices, such as the Medela Symphony, on site that I can pick up at short notice? How much is the deposit required at your pharmacy or store?
Kind regards,
[Your Name]
Conclusion & local search
Renting a breast pump with a prescription provides valuable support at the start of the postpartum period. However, once everyday life begins, the rigid dependence on a power outlet and the bureaucratic pressure of prescription renewals can quickly become a burden. Economically and emotionally, switching to your own modern system at the right time is almost always the smarter decision.
Find pharmacy rental options near you.
Tired of tangled cables and prescription renewals? Discover cordless freedom with the Momcozy portable breast pump and make your breastfeeding journey flexible and mobile, exactly the way it fits your life.
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding any medical condition. Momcozy is not responsible for any consequences arising from the use of this content.
