Cookie Policy

This Cookie Policy explains how HELIOS Kliniken GmbH uses cookies and similar technologies on this website. It should be read together with our Privacy Policy.

1. What are cookies?

Cookies are small text files that a website places on your device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) when you visit. They are widely used to make websites work, or work more efficiently, as well as to provide information to the operators of the website.

Cookies can be "first-party" (set by the website you are visiting) or "third-party" (set by a domain other than the one you are visiting). They can also be "session" cookies (deleted when you close your browser) or "persistent" cookies (which remain on your device for a defined period).

2. Our approach

We have deliberately built this website to use as few cookies as possible. We do not load analytics, advertising, retargeting, or any other tracking technologies by default. No data about you is shared with third parties such as Google Analytics, Meta, or advertising networks through this website.

3. Cookies we use

3.1 Strictly necessary

We use one first-party, strictly necessary mechanism — stored either as a cookie or in browser local storage — to remember your choice on the cookie consent banner. This avoids showing you the banner on every page load.

• Name: cookie_consent
• Type: First-party, persistent
• Purpose: Stores your acceptance or rejection of cookies so the banner does not reappear on each visit.
• Lifetime: Up to 12 months, or until you clear your browser storage.
• Legal basis: Strictly necessary for the website to function in line with your stated preference; Article 6(1)(f) GDPR and § 25(2) TTDSG.

3.2 Cookies we do not currently use

We do not currently use any of the following on this website:

• Analytics cookies (e.g. Google Analytics, Matomo, Plausible);
• Advertising or retargeting cookies (e.g. Google Ads conversion tracking, Meta Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag);
• Social media plugin cookies;
• Heatmap or session-recording cookies (e.g. Hotjar, FullStory);
• Third-party embedded media that sets cookies on load.

Should this change in future — for example if we add a conversion tracking pixel on a specific campaign landing page — we will update this policy and our consent banner before any non-essential cookies are loaded, and consent will be required.

4. How to control cookies

You can control cookies in several ways:

• Through our consent banner: Use the "Accept" or "Decline" buttons on the cookie banner. Your choice is remembered for up to 12 months.
• Through your browser settings: All modern browsers allow you to block or delete cookies. Refer to your browser's help documentation. Note that blocking strictly necessary cookies may affect how the website functions.
• By clearing your browser data: Clearing cookies and site data will reset your consent choice; the banner will reappear on your next visit.

5. Server log files

For completeness: separate from cookies, our hosting provider records standard server log data (IP address, time of request, URL requested, response status, user agent) for up to 30 days for security and operational purposes. This is described in more detail in our Privacy Policy.

6. Changes to this policy

We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when it was most recently revised.

7. Contact

For any questions about cookies on this website, please write to [email protected].