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South Africans in Germany
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Mental health support

Moving can be such an exciting experience, but leaving your familiar surroundings and support networks behind can also be quite unnerving and stressful.
It is very important to find or set up your support structures as soon as possible.
Try to keep in contact with your mental health care professionals in South Africa, at least in the transition period. Most will offer online sessions.
Make sure you have enough medication with you for at least three months before moving to Germany.
As soon as you are settled in, find a mental health care professional in Germany. Waiting times can be very long, so the sooner you find someone, the better.
Make sure you get your medication prescriptions as soon as possible.

Finding a doctor can be challenging, especially if you are seeking an English-speaking physician. The following websites can help in your search. 

  • Jameda 
  • Med kolleg
  • Doctolib – can also book your appointment here
  • Therapyroute – Find Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Psychoanalysts, Mental Health Clinics, etc. near you.
  • Therapie.de – Search by location and language

We suggest you contact every practice close to you and see where you can get the earliest appointment.

We do have medical professionals, with a South African background, listed on our website. See the links below

💊 Need Advice on Medication in Germany?
If you have questions about the medication available in Germany, check out our  Contact a Pharmacist service on our website. You can send your questions directly to a South African pharmacist working in Germany.

Ask a SA Pharmacist in DE

Ask a Pharmacist A few pharmacists with South African backgrounds, now practicing in Germany, have kindly offered to assist our community. They can help by answering questions and providing guidance on possible substitutes for familiar South African pharmaceutical products. ⚠️ Important Disclaimer Always consult a qualified doctor or pharmacist before taking any medication. The information provided here is for general guidance only and should never replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please note: The Admin team of this website are not medical professionals and cannot provide medical advice. Please do not misuse this service. The Admin team of South Africans

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Getting an appointment/help faster

You may face long waiting times if you are on public medical aid in Germany. This is because a practice must pay large sums to get a “Kassensitz” license to be allowed to bill the public health system. It is easier to get an appointment when you are on private medical aid.

Some suggestions on how to get an appointment faster:

  • Go to your house doctor (Hausartz) and get a referral to a specialist (Facharzt)
  • Ask that he add a “Dringlichkeitscode” 
  • Call 116117, they will ask for this code to organise an appointment with a specialist. You can also do it online 
  • When you use this service, you cannot choose the specialist

Where to find help

Listed on our website

Dr. med. Janine Benson-Martin – Medical Psychotherapy

Specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy I am originally from South Africa, where I studied medicine and specialized in psychiatry & psychotherapy as well as public mental health. I have been privileged to have worked in clinical practice, research and teaching in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Switzerland and now in Germany. I can offer psychotherapy to adults (age 18 years or older) on German statutory health insurance, as well as to private clients. I can

Kelly Robinson-Treutler – Art therapy and psychotherapy

I was born in South Africa in 1985. I gained a bachelor’s degree in Fine Art with honours from the University of Cape Town. I then went on to study General Psychology, Child and Adolescent Development, Personality Theories and Abnormal Psychology. In Cape Town, I gained experience volunteering in a prison psychiatric ward and an orphanage, where I worked with adults and adolescents coming from abusive homes. In 2008 I lived in America, where I

Leigh-Ann Roode Psychologist

Leigh-Ann Roode is a Counselling Psychologist trained in South Africa who provides mainly online therapy to the ex-pat community Supportive Online Counselling from the Netherlands English and Afrikaans speaking Therapist  

Gary Firer Psychotherapist / Psychotherapeut

There is no path that doesn’t eventually lead home. Approach In my consultations and therapies, I will deal intensively with your feelings, needs, and your health. Mutual trust is the basis for successful treatment. Based on the analysis from the initial consultation, we can jointly define the appropriate form of counseling and therapy. If you wish, I can work together with your family doctor. Objective The overarching goal of my consultations and therapies is to

Apps

In today’s fast-paced world, maintaining mental health is crucial. Apps can help you take proactive steps towards a healthier mind. For example, some apps can offer guided meditations and soothing sounds to reduce stress and improve sleep. You also get apps that connect you with licensed therapists for online counselling, and apps that track your emotional health and offer insights. Here are some suggestions:

Tips

  • Chat with friends and family at least twice a week, make fixed appointments if needed
  • Deep breathing techniques
  • Colouring in
  • Have a gratitude list
  • Have a list of things you can do that cheer you up and take your mind off things
  • Exercise is excellent to help fight depression and anxiety.
  • Get out in nature as often as possible
  • Sunshine
  • If you are so inclined, religious support groups and prayer

Resources on the web

Support from fellow South Africans

  • Ladies Table – South African Ladies in Germany Facebook Group
  • We have a support group on our website, you need to be a member to use it, membership is free
  • We have a Whatsapp group that you can join. To join the Whatsapp group please see the links on our Facebook page, or you can contact us via email

South African Communities

Feeling homesick? Connect with fellow South Africans living in Germany through communities that offer friendship, support, and a taste of home. Whether you’re looking to share experiences, ask questions, or simply find a familiar accent, these groups are here to help you feel closer to home. Discover the best spaces to stay connected and feel supported on your journey in Germany. Church Groups American Protestant Church in Bonn – from August they will have an

Vocabulary

Downloadable file with English and German Terms –   Mental health

Emergency Contacts

Emergency Contacts The following numbers can be dialled in an emergency, either from a landline or mobile phone. 112The national emergency number. This can be used for any medical or fire/smoke/explosives emergency. It can also be dialled when someone is trapped or if you have witnessed a suicide attempt 110The national police force. Call this number in case of attempted theft or damage. An assault or risk to life Instructions Dial and wait to be

Electronic Prescriptions (E-Rezept)

Germany has implemented a new system for electronic prescriptions as part of their efforts to modernize their healthcare system. The electronic prescription system, also known as e-prescription, allows doctors to send prescriptions directly to pharmacies through a secure digital platform.

Visiting a doctor

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

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