Navigating Healthcare in Germany Visiting a doctor in Germany can feel overwhelming at first, but understanding how the system works will help you feel confident and prepared. When I first arrived in Germany, I was fortunate to travel back to South Africa frequently. I relied on that to manage my medical check-ups, avoiding visits to German doctors whenever possible. That strategy worked well—until I hurt my back and had no choice but to seek medical attention locally. Although I could speak German, I struggled to recall the specific terms for body parts and medical conditions, which made communication incredibly challenging. My advice? Don’t wait until an emergency forces you to find a doctor. Start by scheduling your routine check-ups early on—it’s an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the healthcare system and your local medical professionals. German doctors are highly professional and competent, but their approach can feel very business-like compared to what you might be used to in South Africa. They tend to be direct and honest, and they expect you to take responsibility for your health. For example, when I visited an orthopaedist for my back injury, the doctor not only treated me with an injection but also emphasized holistic recovery methods. He was blunt about the need to strengthen my body and even scolded me for not taking better care of myself. It was a stark contrast to the more sympathetic approach I was accustomed to in South Africa. Another important difference is that some German doctors may not accept your medical history from South Africa. Instead, they’ll conduct their own tests before beginning treatment. While this can be frustrating, it also ensures a thorough and accurate diagnosis. If you’re new to Germany, embracing the local healthcare system sooner rather than later can save you a lot of stress down the road. Finding a doctor Finding a doctor in Germany can be challenging, especially if you’re looking for an English-speaking practitioner. Your general practitioner (GP) is called a Hausarzt, and you are free to choose your doctor. However, to see a specialist (Facharzt), you will often need a referral (Überweisung) from your GP. Here are some websites to help with your search: Jameda Med Kolleg Doctolib – You can also book your appointment directly on this platform. Additionally, we have listed some medical professionals on our website, many of whom have a South African background and speak at least one of the official languages. For further recommendations, consider reaching out to local expat communities—they can be a valuable resource for finding trusted doctors. Online Consultations You can talk to a doctor online on Mobi Doctor. They are not covered by medical insurance. 💡 While online doctors can be a convenient option in certain situations, visiting a doctor in person is often essential for a thorough examination and accurate diagnosis. I was having an issue that I just couldn’t get better. I ended up using an online doctor service, and got antibiotics, and was better quick quick. It was about 25€, and I had to pay for meds. The prescriptions are accepted by the pharmacists – you can just show it to them on your phone, no physical print out needed. (Note from admin, this is not always accepted by all pharmacies, some require a printout) Shelley-Ann The prescriptions from online portals are usually accepted when they are issued through secure portals that are communicated directly to the pharmacies email address to avoid fraud. The scripts are usually private scripts so the “gesetzliche Krankenkasse” will not pay for it. They only pay for medicines issued on an official German “Kassenrezept” JulianPharmacist They will only be able to issue private scripts, meaning the Public health insurance will not pay for it. As long as the prescription was issued in an EU Country, you can submit it to a pharmacy in Germany, but you will pay for it yourself. KarelPharmacist Mobi doctor Good to know If you are on the public or Government “gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV) ” health insurance, you must always take your medical card with you to your appointment. Your bills will be sent directly to the insurance. If you are on GVK, make sure that your doctor is registered on the public healthcare system or Kassenärzte and that they accept GVK, some only accept private patients and you will have to pay out of your own pocket if you are on the public health insurance.  If you are privately insured, you will receive a bill which you have to pay and claim back from your insurance. Antibiotics are only used as a last resort, if you have a cold you might get some Aspirin and be told to get some bed rest. German doctors do not have an issue with nakedness and you might be asked to strip down to the basics when you have a more thorough examination like an EKG. Prepare beforehand by writing down what you want to say and translating it into German beforehand. Miscommunication can happen easily when you’re unfamiliar with medical terms, symptoms, or body parts. Check out our related content on medical terminology to help you communicate effectively. Your bill The codes on your bill should correspond to the ICD codes, which is a globally recognized system that is used to label medical diagnoses. You can search the codes hereCancellation of appointmentsIf you cannot make your appointment, cancel as early as possible and make your new appointment right away. Confirm the cancellation by e-mail or in writing. If you do not cancel an appointment in time you can be charged for it, see § 615 BGB (Paragraph 615 of the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch) Pharmacies In Germany, pain medication that is easily available in South African grocery stores can only be purchased at a pharmacy (Apotheke). Additionally, the rules for over-the-counter medications (Rezeptfrei) are much stricter here.If you have questions about medication, our “Ask a Pharmacist” service connects you with South African pharmacists working in Germany who can provide guidance. To find an emergency pharmacy (Notdienst-Apotheke), you