The Bavarian Council of Ministers has approved the construction of the new “Kopfklinikum” and the Centre for Women, Mothers and Children at Würzburg University Hospital. Work is set to begin as early as autumn 2026.
Green light for the northern extension site of Würzburg University Hospital (UKW): At its meeting on 23 June 2026, the Bavarian Council of Ministers approved the decision to proceed with the new building on the UKW’s northern extension site. Around 1.7 billion euros will be allocated to the construction project.
“This decision once again demonstrates the influence of the Würzburg University Hospital and represents a strong commitment to world-class medicine in Lower Franconia. The northern extension will enable us to further enhance the capabilities of our university hospital over the coming decades,” emphasises Tim J. von Oertzen, Medical Director and Chairman of the Executive Board at the UKW.
New building brings clinical departments together
The first phase of construction on the northern extension site will in future provide a total usable area of around 30,000 square metres for ear, nose and throat medicine and the eye clinic – both of which were previously housed in the Head Clinic – as well as for gynaecology. This will provide space for around 270 beds, operating theatres, intensive care units and central facilities. The state-of-the-art premises will replace the current facilities, which date from the 1970s (Head Clinic) and the 1930s (Gynaecology Clinic). A second construction phase is set to follow in the coming decades.
“Bringing the hospital departments together at a single site brings very tangible benefits for patients and staff alike. The new building offers state-of-the-art infrastructure, distances will be shorter and interdisciplinary collaboration between the hospital departments will be strengthened,” emphasises Marcus Huppertz, Director of Nursing at the UKW.
First visible stage of the new building to begin this autumn
“We are very grateful for the significant support from the State of Bavaria, including for this project. The first visible stage of the new building – the development of the construction site – can begin as early as this autumn,” says Philip Rieger, Commercial Director at the UKW. On 16 April, the Budget Committee of the Bavarian State Parliament had already approved the preliminary measures for the development of the northern extension site at the UKW. The overall project also still requires the approval of the Budget Committee of the Bavarian State Parliament.
“The decision is a tremendous boost for healthcare provision in the region and, of course, for Würzburg as a centre for biomedical research, which will thus receive a further boost to its excellent development,” says Matthias Frosch, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in Würzburg.
Strengthening critical infrastructure
The new building project will also significantly strengthen the crisis resilience of the UKW’s infrastructure: For instance, it is planned that, in the event of a crisis, the future underground car park of the new building can be converted to provide 100 underground treatment bays, including two operating theatres and 40 intensive care beds.
