How to Make a Doctor's Appointment in Germany

To make a doctor’s appointment in Germany, you can find a doctor through online platforms like Doctolib, then book by phone or online. For your visit, you will need your health insurance card and a photo ID.

Finding the Right Doctor

Your first point of contact in the German healthcare system is typically a general practitioner, known as a Hausarzt. You are free to choose your own doctor.

Online Platforms Websites and apps like Doctolib, Jameda, and TeleClinic are popular for finding doctors and booking appointments online. You can filter by specialty, insurance type (public or private), and languages spoken.
English-Speaking Doctors Many doctors in larger cities speak English. You can use the language filter on booking platforms to find them. Your embassy may also provide a list.
National Hotline You can call the nationwide medical hotline 116 117 for assistance in finding an appointment, especially if you need to see a specialist within a certain timeframe.
Recommendations Asking friends, colleagues, or checking expat forums can be a good way to find recommended doctors.

Booking the Appointment

Booking in advance is generally required, as walk-in appointments are not common, especially for specialists.

Online Booking The most convenient method is often through platforms like Doctolib, which allow you to see available slots and book directly. Some practices also offer booking through their own websites.
By Phone You can call the doctor’s office directly. It can be helpful to know a few basic German phrases, as reception staff may not always speak English.
- “Ich möchte einen Termin vereinbaren.” (I would like to make an appointment.)
Walk-in Hours Some general practitioners have open consultation hours (Sprechstunden) for urgent issues, but you should expect to wait.

Preparing for Your Visit

When you go to your appointment, be sure to bring the following:

Health Insurance Card Your elektronische Gesundheitskarte (eGK) is essential.
Photo ID.
Referral Letter (Überweisung) If you are seeing a specialist, you may need a referral from your GP, especially if you have public health insurance.

Urgent & Emergency Care

For medical issues outside of regular office hours, use the following services:

Urgent, Non-Life-Threatening Issues Call the medical on-call service at 116 117. They can connect you with an on-call doctor (Notdienst), some of whom may do home visits.
Emergencies For life-threatening situations like heavy bleeding or severe chest pain, go to the nearest hospital emergency room (Notaufnahme) or call 112 for an ambulance. The operators on this line usually speak English.

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