Biennial European rehabilitation, therapy, care and inclusion fair at Messe Karlsruhe, 13–15 May 2027, with 400+ exhibitors expected and a strong end-user testing culture.
Dates
13–15 May 2027
City / country
Rheinstetten, Germany
Venue
Messe Karlsruhe
Time
10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Companies exhibiting at REHAB Karlsruhe include 3Hmed GmbH, A2J GmbH, AbbVie, Abilia AB and Adeli Medical Center.
Event overview
REHAB Karlsruhe is the 24th European Trade Fair for Rehabilitation, Therapy, Care and Inclusion, held 13–15 May 2027 at Messe Karlsruhe in Rheinstetten, Germany. The biennial show pairs a three-hall exhibition of mobility aids, orthopaedic technology, assistive products and care solutions with 11 themed marketplaces, two forums, practical master classes and the Inclusive Sports Complex.
It is deliberately open to both professionals and end users: therapists, physicians, care managers, orthopaedic technicians, dealers and procurement teams meet families and people with disabilities who test products on the spot. The parallel CON.
THERA congress adds six neurorehabilitation modules. REHAB is a demonstration-led fair where product experience, clinical fit and dealer relationships matter more than a pure specification programme.
TL;DR
Visit to test wheelchairs, walkers, prostheses, seating, care aids and digital assistance in person; to compare suppliers across 11 themed marketplaces; to earn clinical updates through master classes and CON.THERA; and to meet dealers, therapists and user associations in a short three-day trip.
Exhibit because REHAB delivers qualified orthopaedic-technique dealers, therapists, clinic and care buyers alongside motivated end users. The demonstration format shortens evaluation, the themed marketplaces put products in front of the right audience, and the 2025 edition sold out 30,000 sqm with 400 exhibitors from 16 countries.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Halls & areas
1Messe Karlsruhe, Messeallee 1, 76287 Rheinstetten, Germany
Paid on-site parking.
€8.00/day
The exhibition grounds are described as barrier-free.
Parking: On-site parking ticket EUR 7 online or EUR 8 at the cash desk; valid only at Messe Karlsruhe, Messeallee 1.
Gate: Barrier-free grounds; enter through the main Messe Karlsruhe entrance. Hall and gate allocation for 2027 not published.
Attend
Event days & opening times
1-day ticket (online)
EUR 17 at the on-site cash desk.
1-day ticket reduced (online)
EUR 9 on site; proof required.
3-day ticket (online)
EUR 34 on site.
3-day ticket reduced (online)
EUR 17 on site.
Group ticket, 20+ persons (per person)
EUR 13 on site; reduced group EUR 6/8.
Child 0–11 years
Free.
Accompanying person (categories B, G, H)
Free at the entrance with disabled ID.
Parking ticket
EUR 8 at the cash desk.
CON.THERA single module (early bird to 14 Mar 2027)
EUR 86 from 15 Mar 2027; includes exhibition access.
CON.THERA all six modules (early bird)
EUR 342 regular; includes exhibition access.
Ticket info
Ticket notes
Online prices are cheaper than the on-site cash desk. Children 0–11 and accompanying persons of visitors with disability categories B, G or H are free. Reduced tickets require valid proof. CON.THERA module tickets include trade-fair access.
Build-up & tear-down
What's on
CON.THERA — Interdisciplinary Conference for Therapists
Fourth edition of the therapist congress focused on neurorehabilitation, with six modules across the three days.
Conference Centre of Messe Karlsruhe; module tickets include trade-fair access.
WebsiteCON.THERA modules 1–6
VPT, Stroke 2027, Neurology (two modules), Pediatrics and Geriatrics; each bookable separately or as a full pass.
Jürgen Dusel, Federal Government Commissioner for Matters relating to Persons with Disabilities
Patronage · Germany
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2025
Visitors: 15,500
Exhibitors: 400
Floor area: 30,000 sqm
Edition #: 23
Exhibitor countries: 16
Visitor countries: 37
This edition
2027
Visitors: 15,500
Exhibitors: 400
Floor area: 30,000 sqm
Next edition
Not announced yet
Edition recap
REHAB Karlsruhe closed its 23rd edition on 24 May 2025 with 400 exhibitors from 16 countries and 15,500 visitors from 37 countries at Messe Karlsruhe. The organiser reported visitor growth of more than 25%, around 95% top-mark ratings, 30,000 sqm gross across three halls, 11 themed marketplaces and 90 presentations. The parallel CON.THERA therapist congress attracted more than 250 participants for the first time.
New this edition
Mobil mit Prothese
Theme special on prosthetic mobility, developed with BMAB, with a daily lecture and sports programme.
SourceInclusive Sports Complex
Hands-on inclusive sports area with participatory offers in eight sports.
SourceCON.THERA congress
Interdisciplinary therapist congress on neurorehabilitation; passed 250 participants for the first time in 2025.
SourceTestimonials
For us, REHAB Karlsruhe is a central industry meeting point for direct dialogue with patients, specialists and care partners.
REHAB provides us with excellent opportunities to interact with qualified specialists, because we act as enablers to shape the 24/7 lives of people with disabilities.
Impact
REHAB is a mid-size but high-intent European rehabilitation fair. Its 15,500 visitors are fewer than at broad medical shows, but 68% travel only for REHAB and more than 60% attend professionally, so the floor is dense with the dealers, therapists and care buyers who specify and fund assistive products. The 2025 relaunch of themed marketplaces and the inclusive sports area broadened the pull toward end users without diluting the professional core.
Audience quality
The audience is unusually mixed for a trade fair: clinicians and dealers on buying missions alongside disabled visitors and families doing hands-on comparisons. That mix is the product. Exhibitors report concrete leads and same-show sales, and 95% of visitors rated the visit top marks. The trade-off is that booth staff must be able to switch between clinical detail and consumer explanation.
Exhibitor outcomes
Best ROI comes from demonstration-heavy stands: wheelchair courses, fitting bays, pressure-mapping, prosthesis trials and paediatric seating. Dealers can be recruited in a compact three-hall footprint, and the 16-country exhibitor base gives German manufacturers access to European buyers. A 6–18 sqm stand with a test area is a realistic first outing; a 30–60 sqm island is appropriate for full mobility ranges.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Germany is Europe's largest rehabilitation and assistive-technology market, and Baden-Württemberg is one of its densest clinical and medical-technology clusters. REHAB is the sector's biennial meeting point: it sits between a clinical congress and a consumer expo, which makes it efficient for dealers, therapists and end users to evaluate products together. Reimbursement rules, an ageing population and the shift to home care keep demand steady, while digital and robotic assistance is reshaping the product mix.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Powered and smart mobility
Power wheelchairs, add-on drives, intelligent rollators and app-connected mobility aids are moving from niche to mainstream, with dealers looking for products that reduce fitting time and service calls.
What it changes: Mobility is the largest exhibit category and the main reason dealers attend.
SourcePaediatric and custom seating
Growth in paediatric mobility, adaptive seating and postural management puts pressure on suppliers to offer modular, growth-adjustable systems with clean clinical evidence.
What it changes: Families and paediatric therapists are a distinct, high-engagement visitor group at REHAB.
SourceDigital and robotic assistance
Exoskeletons, tele-rehabilitation, fall detection and smart home controls are being integrated with traditional aids, creating partnerships between device makers and software providers.
What it changes: The 2027 marketplaces and CON.THERA programme reflect the shift toward technology-enabled rehabilitation.
SourceInclusion and barrier-free living
Demand is broadening from clinical aids to everyday inclusion: accessible travel, adapted vehicles, home automation and inclusive sport.
What it changes: REHAB's public-day model and Inclusive Sports Complex pull in end users who influence purchases.
SourceLatest updates from across the market.
REHAB anchors the biennial rehabilitation calendar. Suppliers typically pair it with OTWorld for orthopaedic technology and MEDICA for the broader medical-device market; Messe Karlsruhe also runs the newer IRMA events in Bremen and Hamburg.
Biennial REHAB cycle
REHAB runs in odd years; OTWorld also runs on a biennial cycle, so suppliers should check for clashes.
Event existence from the official REHAB release and Messe Karlsruhe portfolio; dates for circuit events were not verified in this run.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden Airport
Regional airport; limited European routes. Estimate.
about 40 km
to venue
about 40 minutes by road
by car
Stuttgart Airport
Larger international gateway; estimate.
about 80 km
to venue
about 1 h 15 by road or rail
by car
Frankfurt Airport
Long-haul gateway; estimate.
about 140 km
to venue
about 1 h 30 by high-speed train to Karlsruhe
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
USD 90–140 / night
Planning estimate for a mid-May trade-fair week; book early.
USD 150–230 / night
Best balance of tram access and evening choice; estimate.
USD 250–400 / night
Business hotels and suites; estimate.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Tram
Direct from Karlsruhe city centre; KVV Wabe 100 ticket valid on trade-fair days.
Tram
About 25–30 minutes from the main station, including the change.
Day pass
Planning estimate; check KVV zones before travel.
Taxi / ride-hail
Estimate; about 15–20 minutes outside peak traffic.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay business visa | Nationals without a visa-waiver agreement with Germany | $97.00 | typically 15 calendar days |
Most EU/UK, U.S., Canadian, Australian, Japanese and South Korean passport holders can enter Germany visa-free for short business trips. Check the German foreign office list for other nationalities.
Germany accepts ATA Carnets for temporary exhibition goods; list every item and confirm with customs and the freight broker.
Official visa pageWeather
Mid-May in the Upper Rhine valley is mild and changeable: roughly 9–20°C, with a real chance of showers and cool evenings.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Wi-Fi is available at the venue; exhibitor packages include access codes. Mobile coverage is good across Karlsruhe and Rheinstetten.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Barrier-free mindset
Accessibility is the product and the setting: step-free routes, accessible toilets and staff briefed on assistance dogs are expected, not optional.
Cash and cards
Cards are widely accepted in Karlsruhe, but some small kiosks and bakeries prefer cash. Carry a few euros.
Sunday closures
Most shops close on Sunday. Saturday afternoon is the main shopping window if you arrive before the show.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: Frankfurt (FRA) for long-haul; Stuttgart (STR) or Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (FKB) for European connections
Book 6–10 weeks ahead for mid-May; rail tickets on Deutsche Bahn open about 180 days out.
Schengen rules apply. Many Western passport holders are visa-free for short business trips; others need a short-stay business visa.
Estimated cost: about EUR 90
Processing: typically 15 calendar days
Apply well before travel; carry the invitation, hotel booking and proof of funds.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: From FRA take a high-speed train to Karlsruhe (about 1 h), then tram S2 to Messe/Leichtsandstraße. From STR, train to Karlsruhe then S2.
Hotel → venue: Most city-centre hotels are 20–30 minutes from the venue by tram S2; Rheinstetten hotels are walkable or a short taxi ride.
Ride-hail: Taxis and ride-hail are available; budget EUR 18–28 from the city centre.
Public transit: KVV tram and bus network; S2 is the direct line to the Messe/Leichtsandstraße stop.
Parking: On-site parking EUR 7 online or EUR 8 on the day.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: May
Temperature: 9–20°C
Seasonality: Changeable spring weather with showers; warm afternoons possible.
Packing: Light layers, a compact rain jacket and comfortable shoes for long exhibition days.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Thursday 13 May 2027
Opening day has the fullest programme, the freshest stands and the best chance of senior exhibitor staff being present. Friday is busier with dealers; Saturday is best for families and end-user testing but closes at 17:00.
Book ticket online and reserve hotel; confirm the 13–15 May dates. — Online 1-day ticket is EUR 12 vs EUR 17 on site.
Map target exhibitors and marketplaces; shortlist 12–15 stands. — Use the 2025 exhibitor list as a guide until the 2027 list is live.
Plan rail or flight to Karlsruhe; buy KVV tram ticket options. — S2 to Messe/Leichtsandstraße.
Confirm meeting times with dealers and therapists; download the hall plan when published. — 2027 floor plan not yet published.
Pack layers and rain jacket; check the weather and print or save the ticket offline. — May is changeable, 9–20°C.
Arrive at Messe/Leichtsandstraße and enter the barrier-free grounds
Messe Karlsruhe main entranceMobility aids and wheelchair test tracks
Mobility marketplaceOrthopaedic technology and prosthetics, including Mobil mit Prothese
Orthopaedic technology marketplaceCON.THERA module or forum session
Conference Centre / forum stagePaediatric seating, care aids and dealer meetings
Care and inclusion marketplacesKarlsruhe Old Town and palace
City Walk
20–25 minutes by tram from the venue
Baroque centre, fan-shaped palace gardens and a compact museum quarter for a half-day break.
Baden-Baden
Spa Town Day Trip
about 45 minutes by train
Historic spa architecture, gardens and a relaxed contrast to the exhibition halls.
Inclusive Sports Complex
Activity area
Hands-on sport and demos; an easy ice-breaker with end users, therapists and exhibitors.
Themed marketplaces and forums
Exhibition zones
The 11 marketplaces concentrate buyers by interest; linger after sessions for introductions.
REHAB leads split cleanly into dealer conversations and end-user trials. Dealer follow-up is commercial and fast; end-user follow-up is educational and often routes through a Sanitätshaus. Treating them the same loses both.
Budget
Shell scheme
EUR 250–330 / m²
Raw space
EUR 186–217 / m²
Standard booth
18 m²
Early bird to 30 June 2026. Add AUMA EUR 0.60/sqm, marketing fee EUR 240 and hall utilities EUR 7.40/sqm. Shell-scheme figures are planning estimates because no built-up package price was published.
sourceAdjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
Stand rental
exhibitor · row 18 sqm
EUR 3348–3528 / total
Stand build
exhibitor · shell 18 sqm
USD 4500–5940 / total
Hotel
both · mid
USD 450–690 / 3 nights
Per diem
both · moderate
USD 195–260 / 3 days
Visitor ticket
visitor · 1-day online
EUR 12–17 / per day
Parking
both · daily
EUR 7–8 / per day
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stand rental | exhibitor | row 18 sqm | EUR 3348–3528 / total | sourced | 2026-10-31 |
| Stand build | exhibitor | shell 18 sqm | USD 4500–5940 / total | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Hotel | both | mid | USD 450–690 / 3 nights | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Per diem | both | moderate | USD 195–260 / 3 days | estimate | 2026-10-31 |
| Visitor ticket | visitor | 1-day online | EUR 12–17 / per day | sourced | 2026-10-31 |
| Parking | both | daily | EUR 7–8 / per day | sourced | 2026-10-31 |
Decision
Six quick questions on role, objective, budget, time, authority and origin.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What best describes your role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
You buy, specify or recommend mobility, orthopaedic or care products.
Best for
Therapists, dealers, care buyers and end users comparing products
Min. budget
$350.00
Timeline
6–10 weeks
Risks
Mid-May hotel prices
Too many halls for one day
exhibit
You need dealer recruitment and hands-on product trials in the DACH market.
Best for
Mobility, orthopaedic, care and digital-assistive suppliers
Min. budget
$8,000.00
Timeline
6–9 months
Risks
Stand costs add up
Mixed audience needs different pitches
skip
Your products do not touch mobility, orthopaedics, care, therapy or inclusion.
Best for
Suppliers outside rehabilitation or teams with no DACH route
Timeline
Not applicable
Risks
Missing a niche but high-intent audience
Book with
Messe Karlsruhe
Barrier-free exhibition centre in Rheinstetten with three halls and a conference centre.
Official venue and organiser.
CON.THERA
Interdisciplinary therapist congress on neurorehabilitation with six modules in 2027.
Official ticket page.
KVV
Karlsruhe transport authority; S2 tram connects the city to Messe/Leichtsandstraße.
Route from the venue arrival guide.
Karlsruhe Tourism
City and regional visitor information for side trips and hotels.
Destination marketing organisation.
Recommended providers
Official Schengen visa information.
Book a refundable rate early; mid-May is busy.
Compare fares to FRA, STR or FKB; no affiliate link.
No official 2027 REHAB handler published; confirm with the venue.
Travel and exhibitor liability cover; compare providers.
Old Town and Baden-Baden planning.
Use your own compliant CRM/scanner; no official provider named.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
5 more alternate names hidden
Trust footer
4
References
1
Publishers
4
Date checked
Messe Karlsruhe
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