Finding a doctor and getting appointments

Finding and registering with a Hausarzt (general practitioner) is one of the most important steps you can take when settling in Germany. This doctor becomes your primary healthcare contact and holds your medical history, making them essential for accessing specialists and navigating Germany's coordinated healthcare system.

Choosing and Registering with a Hausarzt

Unlike some countries, there is no formal registration process for a Hausarzt like the UK's NHS system. Instead, you simply choose a doctor, book an appointment, and show up with your Versichertenkarte (electronic health insurance card). When you arrive at your first appointment, bring your insurance card and complete a patient registration form (Patientenaufnahme) with your personal details, allergies, medications, and medical history. The practice will then scan your insurance card at the Anmeldung (reception desk) to confirm your coverage.

It is crucial that your chosen Hausarzt accepts your specific health insurance provider. If you arrive without proper insurance documentation, you may be treated as a private patient and billed for the full cost of the visit. Within your first month in Germany after receiving your health insurance card, schedule an introductory check-up to establish your file.

How to Find a Doctor

The easiest methods to locate a Hausarzt are through online platforms. Doctolib and Jameda are Germany's most popular doctor-listing and booking directories, allowing you to search by zip code, specialty, language, and availability. If you have statutory health insurance (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung), you can also use the KBV website, which has a doctor search tool organized by federal state. The official government health portal, gesund.bund.de, also provides a searchable doctor directory with filters for language and practice accessibility.

Alternatively, you can simply search online for 'Hausarzt near me' or 'Hausarzt [your city]' and call practices directly to ask if they are accepting new patients. Ask your health insurance provider for a list of recommended doctors, or call 116117 to get help finding a practice in your area.

What to Consider When Choosing

• Language: If you don't speak German fluently, look for an English-speaking Hausarzt or one who speaks your language. German doctors are not required to speak English, though many in major cities do.
• Location: Choose a practice close to where you live or work for easy access, especially during urgent situations.
• Appointment availability: Check how long the wait times are and whether the practice offers online booking, video appointments, or flexible hours.
• Insurance acceptance: Always confirm they accept your specific insurance provider before booking.
• Accessibility: Some practices offer wheelchair access, accessible facilities, or other accommodations.

Booking an Appointment

Most German doctors require you to book an appointment in advance. You can schedule by calling the practice, visiting their website, or using online booking platforms like Doctolib. Some practices use tools like Samedi or Dr. Flex for their own online systems. A few general practitioners accept walk-ins, particularly for emergencies, but this is not the rule. If you need a quick appointment and are struggling to find one within a reasonable timeframe, you can call the Terminservicestelle (appointment service) at 116117, which will book you with the next available provider within your area.

Understanding Referrals (Überweisung) to Specialists

If you need specialized medical care—say, treatment from a dermatologist, neurologist, or orthopedic surgeon—you will typically need an Überweisung (referral) from your Hausarzt. This referral is a printed document that outlines your symptoms, preliminary test results, and the specific medical question that the specialist needs to answer. It serves as a formal communication bridge between your general practitioner and the specialist, ensuring continuity of care and that the specialist has your medical context.

The referral system is designed to prevent overcrowding of specialist clinics. Your Hausarzt can often resolve minor issues directly or determine exactly which type of specialist is truly required. This 'gatekeeper' function is a core element of the German healthcare model: your GP coordinates your medical journey and keeps a central record of your health.

When a Referral Is Required

For some specialists, a referral is mandatory. These include radiologists (for MRI or CT scans), nuclear medicine physicians, and highly specialized doctors in fields like human genetics, laboratory medicine, and oncology. For most other specialists, a referral is not strictly required, and you can contact them directly. However, having a referral is strongly recommended because it speeds up your appointment, ensures proper billing through your insurance, and allows the specialist to send findings back to your Hausarzt, maintaining a coordinated medical record.

Important Details About Referral Validity

An Überweisung is valid for one calendar quarter (Quartal). German medical billing runs in quarters: Q1 (January–March), Q2 (April–June), Q3 (July–September), and Q4 (October–December). If your Hausarzt writes a referral in March, it expires on March 31st. Always get your referrals early in the quarter, or ask your GP for a new one if needed. Some specialists will accept a referral from the previous quarter at the start of a new one, but this is not guaranteed, so plan ahead.

Getting an Appointment with a Specialist

Once you have a referral from your Hausarzt, you can contact a specialist's office directly by phone or through their website to book an appointment. Waiting times for specialists can be longer than for your Hausarzt—often several weeks or even months. If you cannot get an appointment within a reasonable timeframe, you have a legal right to access the Terminservicestelle (appointment service) by calling 116117 or visiting 116117.de. This is a legally mandated service run by the Kassenärztliche Vereinigungen (KV) that must offer you a specialist appointment within four weeks, or one week if your case is coded as urgent. The downside is that you cannot choose which doctor you see, but it guarantees timely access.

Non-Emergency Medical Care: Using 116117

Germany has a nationwide non-emergency medical service for times when your Hausarzt is closed. The number 116117 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including evenings, weekends, and public holidays. This service, known as the Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst or Kassenärztlicher Notdienst, connects you with trained healthcare professionals who can assess your condition and provide advice.

When to Call 116117

Call 116117 if you have a non-life-threatening medical issue outside of regular practice hours. Examples include mild fever or flu-like symptoms, minor cuts or bruises, non-severe allergic reactions, ear aches, urinary tract infections, mild gastrointestinal issues, or general medical advice. When you call, trained professionals will assess your condition and may advise you to visit an out-of-hours practice (Bereitschaftspraxis), attend a hospital emergency department, or in some cases arrange for a doctor to visit you at home. The hotline can also provide details on where the nearest on-call doctor is located.

You can also use 116117 for general help finding a doctor and making appointments during regular business hours. The website 116117.de allows you to search for practices by entering your city or postal code, and many practices are now connected to online appointment systems.

True Medical Emergencies: Calling 112

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 112 immediately. This is Germany's universal emergency number and reaches fire services, ambulances, and emergency medical assistance. Situations that warrant a 112 call include unconsciousness, difficulty breathing, chest pain, severe bleeding, serious accidents, loss of consciousness, suspected heart attack, severe allergic reactions, or any situation where someone needs immediate emergency care.

Emergency calls to 112 are free of charge and work from any phone, including locked phones, phones without a SIM card, or phones with no credit. The service is available in English as well as German. When you call, provide your location first (street address, city, landmarks), then describe what happened, how many people are affected, and the nature of any injuries or symptoms. Stay on the line until the dispatcher tells you to hang up.

112 vs. 116117: The Key Difference

The distinction is simple: call 112 for acute, life-threatening emergencies that require an ambulance or immediate intervention. Call 116117 for urgent but non-life-threatening medical problems, especially outside of regular doctor office hours. Do not call 116117 for life-threatening situations, and do not call 112 for minor issues to avoid blocking the line for genuine emergencies.

Practical Tips for Success

• Always bring your Versichertenkarte (insurance card) to every doctor visit. This is essential for billing and proof of coverage.
• Bring your Impfpass (vaccination booklet) to your first visit. If you don't have a German one, your GP can issue a new yellow international booklet.
• Make notes of your symptoms, duration of illness, past medical conditions, and current medications before your appointment.
• If you are moving between practices or cities, ask your current Hausarzt for a copy of your medical records (Patientenakte).
• Many expat communities have Facebook groups or online forums with recommendations for English-speaking doctors in your city—use these as a starting point.
• In major cities, universities and teaching hospitals often have English-speaking staff in their clinics.
• If your doctor suggests an IGeL (Individuelle Gesundheitsleistung), remember that this is a private service you pay for out of pocket; you have the right to refuse.

Navigating the German healthcare system requires some knowledge and patience, but it is world-class in quality. Establishing a relationship with a reliable Hausarzt early, understanding the referral system, and knowing when to use 116117 or 112 will make your medical care in Germany smooth and effective.