How to Book Doctor Appointments in Germany: Expat Healthcare Guide

Navigating the healthcare system in a new country can feel intimidating. Whether you need a routine check-up, a blood test, or urgent care on the weekend, understanding how medical appointments work in Germany will save you time and stress.

Registering with a General Practitioner (Hausarzt)

In Germany, your primary healthcare contact is your Hausarzt (General Practitioner / GP).

Why You Need a Hausarzt

  • First Point of Contact: For minor illnesses, routine blood checks, or general health concerns, you visit your Hausarzt first.
  • Referrals (Überweisung): While public health insurance (GKV like TK or AOK) allows you to see some specialists directly, many specialist offices (Facharzt) require an official referral slip (Überweisung) from your Hausarzt.
  • Sick Notes (Krankmeldung / eAU): If you are too ill to work, your Hausarzt issues an official electronic sick note (eAU) directly to your employer and health insurance provider.

How to Find an English-Speaking Hausarzt

You do not need to register permanently with just one GP clinic. However, finding a doctor who accepts new public insurance patients (Gesetzlich Versichert) can be competitive. Search via:

  • Doctolib: Germany’s leading online appointment booking platform (available in English). Filter by language spoken and insurance type.
  • KBV / KVB Directory: The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians maintains regional doctor directories searchable by foreign language skills.

Booking Specialist Appointments & Using Doctolib

If you need to visit a dermatologist, cardiologist, or orthopedist:

  1. Download Doctolib: Create a free account using your German mobile number and email.
  2. Search by Specialty & Location: Filter for English-speaking doctors accepting public insurance (Alle Kassen) or private insurance (Privatpatienten).
  3. Be Patient with Waiting Times: Routine specialist appointments under public health insurance can take weeks or months. For urgent cases, ask your Hausarzt for an Überweisung mit Vermittlungscode (urgent referral code with an 11-digit clearance code).

After-Hours & Weekend Medical Care: What is 116 117?

What happens if you fall ill on a Saturday or late at night when regular doctor offices are closed?

The On-Call Medical Service: 116 117

Call 116 117 (the Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst). This is Germany’s national non-emergency medical helpline, available 24/7.

  • What it does: Connects you to an on-call doctor, directs you to the nearest open weekend medical practice (Bereitschaftspraxis), or dispatches a mobile doctor to your apartment if you cannot travel.
  • Cost: Free for statutory and private health insurance holders.

Emergency Line: 112 vs. 116 117

  • Call 112: ONLY for acute, life-threatening emergencies (heart attack, severe accident, loss of consciousness). This dispatches an ambulance (Rettungswagen).
  • Call 116 117: For urgent but non-life-threatening illnesses (high fever, severe migraine, sudden stomach pain) outside regular clinic hours.

Emergency Pharmacies (Notdienst Apotheke)

Standard pharmacies (Apotheke) are closed on Sundays and public holidays. However, every city operates a rotating Notdienst (emergency night/weekend pharmacy service). You can locate the nearest open emergency pharmacy online via apotheken.de or by looking at the illuminated sign posted on the window of any local pharmacy.

Having your German Health Insurance Card (eGK) ready in your wallet is all you need when visiting any doctor or emergency clinic in Germany!