If you have recently moved here, knowing how to find a doctor in Germany can save you a lot of stress when you suddenly fall sick. The system is not always like India: you usually need a Hausarzt, an appointment, your insurance card, and sometimes a referral for a specialist.
Important: this post is general newcomer guidance, not medical advice. If you have a life-threatening emergency, call 112. If it is urgent but not life-threatening and your doctor is closed, use 116117 or 116117.de.
Find a doctor in Germany: quick steps for newcomers
- Emergency: call 112 for life-threatening symptoms, serious accidents, severe breathing problems, stroke/heart-attack warning signs, heavy bleeding or poisoning.
- Urgent but not life-threatening: call 116117 or use 116117.de for the medical on-call service and appointment support.
- Normal sickness: search for a Hausarzt or Allgemeinmediziner near your postcode and ask if they accept new patients.
- Specialist: ask your Hausarzt whether you need an Ueberweisung referral, then search by specialty and language.
- When booking: mention public/private insurance, your symptoms, preferred language, and whether you are a new patient.
- Bring: health insurance card, ID/residence card if available, medication list, vaccination records and previous reports if relevant.
Official references: 116117 English information and Bundesportal emergency numbers.
I have also created a video about this in case you want to watch the video on YouTube.
Things to know about doctors and hospitals in Germany
Germany has a well-developed healthcare system and medical professionals. The country is home to a number of world-class hospitals and doctors, who are renowned for their skill. Here’s a quick guide on how you can find a doctor or hospital in Germany.
The first step is to find out whether there are any German physicians or medical centres near your home. This should be done through online research or by using the phone book, as well as asking friends and family living in Germany. If you’re an expat, it will be easier to find someone who speaks your language.
If this doesn’t work, you can also try looking up your nearest hospital through Google search engine for their website address and then call them for details about the doctor they have on staff that might
What is a Hausarzt and why should you have one?
If I compare this with India, then we have a family doctor right, Hausarzt refer to the family doctor in Germany. Whenever you are ill or have some issue then you can go to this doctor. He/She is a general physician for you. If he/she thinks that you need more help then, they will write a referral for you along with the doctors name in your area and this is how you can check with other doctors.
Why it is important to register with Hausarzt when you are in Germany. The reason is simple every doctor can have a set number of patient in the public insurance/private insurance. So if you really need to see a doctor it is not like you just drop by the clinic/praxis and they will examine you.
In Germany you first have to find a doctor and see if there are space eligible with them and then they will examine you. This is different situation then visiting an emergency ward in hospital because that is completely different story and I am not talking about that.
How to find a doctor in Germany
Search on Google or Google Maps
This first method you have to do in finding a doctor near to you, search on google for Hausarzt near me and then look for the phone number of them and just call them and ask if they are taking a new patient.
Check on 116117.de
On 116117.de, enter your city or postcode to search for medical practices and psychotherapy practices nearby. The English page also explains how to look for practices where English is spoken.
Once you click on the doctors listed below you can tap on that and find out whether the doctor speaks english or not.
Check on Doctolib and Jameda
Doctolib and Jameda are third-party platforms that can help you find doctors and available appointments. I was able to book a dermatologist appointment this way, but always check whether the doctor accepts your insurance type and whether the appointment is online, phone or in person.
What is the Health Care System and How Does it Work in Germany?
Germany has a strong healthcare system, but access usually runs through health insurance, appointments and the right type of care. Public insurance covers many medically necessary services, but not every treatment, dental service, private extra or alternative therapy is automatically included.
As with many countries, this system has evolved over time as the population has changed and needs have changed. This includes changes in financing aspects of the system, including health insurance companies making profits from premiums.
How Much Does German Health Insurance Cost?
In Germany, there are two types of health insurance: public and private. While the public insurance is required by law, the private insurance needs to be applied for.
Public insurance in Germany is called gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV). It is not free: contributions are usually paid through salary, student premiums or other arrangements depending on your status.
But these are the information for citizens of Germany as an Expat Living in Germany I would say go ahead with the public insurance because it is pretty easy to manage, because they give you a card and when you are visiting the doctor they have machine to record the transactions and you dont have to pay anything at that point.
Private Insurance: In order to subscribe for a private health insurance in Germany, you need to apply for it yourself. In this case, you can choose from different providers based on your needs and preferences.
So if you have a private insurance then you will end paying first and then claiming your money in the later stance.
These are the basics I wish every newcomer knew before needing a doctor in Germany.
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Do check out some other posts.
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