Germany Medicine and health
In Germany, the process of making an appointment with a doctor depends on whether you use the public health insurance system (GKV) or private health insurance (PKV). In both cases, visits are only possible by appointment, even to a family doctor.
If you have public health insurance (GKV)
- The first step is to see your family doctor (Hausarzt).
This is your main contact person who manages your care, refers you to specialists, and can issue a sick note (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung).
❗️ It is difficult to see a specialist (e.g., a cardiologist or orthopedist) without a referral. Exceptions are gynecologists, ophthalmologists, and pediatricians: you can contact them directly.
2. Ways to make an appointment:
- by phone at the reception desk;
- online via the clinic's website or portal;
- using the public service 116117.de — a single number and portal for finding doctors in your area;
- through apps such as Doctolib or Jameda.
3. Waiting time:
- 1–7 days for a family doctor;
- several weeks to several months for a specialist.
For urgent cases, the doctor can mark the referral as “Überweisung dringend” (urgent), which speeds up the appointment process.
If you have private insurance (PKV)
- A referral from a family doctor is not required: you can go directly to any specialist.
- Appointments are easier and faster: the wait is usually 1–5 days.
- The doctor bills the patient, and the insurance company then reimburses the costs.
Popular private clinic chains:
Insurance and appointments
Most clinics accept international policies for temporary stays. If you do not have German insurance but want to see a doctor quickly, you need a policy that covers private medical care.
➡️ On our website, you can take out medical insurance that is valid in Germany and covers visits to a general practitioner, specialists, tests, and emergency care.
Important to know
- In public institutions, doctors often only speak German. On Doctolib or Jameda, you can select the “doctor's language” filter and find an English- or Ukrainian-speaking specialist.
- For urgent conditions (e.g., acute pain), you can go to the Notfallambulanz (emergency room at the hospital) without an appointment, but this only applies to urgent cases.
If you are denied an appointment due to lack of insurance or misunderstandings with documents, Visit Ukraine lawyers will help you check your status and prepare an appeal to the medical facility.
It is practically impossible to live in Germany without health insurance: it is required for visas, education, work, and even simply for legal residence. All residents of the country are required to have a policy — either public or private.
Public insurance (GKV)
The main form of insurance coverage is Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV), which is used by over 70% of the population.
State insurance is available to:
- employees with an official employment contract (contributions are paid equally by the employer and the employee);
- university students (preferential rate of approximately €139–144 per month in 2026);
- unemployed persons receiving social assistance (contributions are covered by the state);
- Ukrainians with temporary protection status — they are entitled to GKV on an equal basis with Germans.
The policy covers:
- visits to a family doctor and specialists;
- diagnostics and tests;
- treatment in hospitals;
- emergency care and operations;
- partial coverage of prescription drugs.
Private insurance (PKV)
Private Krankenversicherung (PKV) is chosen by:
- high-income workers (with a salary of more than €69,300 per year in 2026);
- freelancers and self-employed persons;
- tourists and temporary visitors.
Private packages may include faster access to specialists, treatment in private clinics, and single rooms in hospitals. However, the policy is more expensive (from €200–600 per month and above, depending on age, health status, and package).
Mandatory insurance for a visa
Foreigners who come to study, work, or stay long-term must provide insurance when submitting their documents.
- The state student tariff (GKV) is suitable for students.
- Tourists and visa applicants are eligible for international private insurance that meets the consulate's requirements.
➡️ On the Visit Ukraine website, you can take out a health insurance policy that is accepted for student or work visas or for temporary stays in Germany.
Restrictions and exceptions
- Dental prosthetics and dentistry are often only partially covered.
- Psychotherapy is available, but only after a long wait (faster with private packages).
- Some medications, vitamins, or preventive procedures are paid for separately.
⚖️ Important: without insurance, medical care in Germany is completely paid for. The cost of a doctor's consultation can reach €80–150, and hospitalization can cost thousands of euros. Therefore, having a policy is not a formality, but a mandatory guarantee of access to medical care.
After February 24, 2022, Germany granted Ukrainians access to medical services on an equal footing with local residents — but this access directly depends on your residence status.
If you have temporary protection (§24 AufenthG)
This status entitles you to medical care in the public Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV) system.
You receive:
- free appointments with a family doctor (Hausarzt) and basic consultations;
- referrals to specialists (cardiologist, neurologist, orthopedist, etc.) if indicated;
- hospital treatment and emergency care;
- mandatory vaccinations, including vaccinations for children;
- medical care during pregnancy and childbirth;
- full assistance for children under 18.
Services are provided through insurance funds (e.g., AOK, TK, Barmer). Ukrainians register with the insurance fund at their place of residence, after which they receive an insurance card (Gesundheitskarte).
If you are a student or employee
- Students pay a reduced rate for state insurance (€139–144 per month in 2026).
- Employees are automatically enrolled in GKV through their employer.
In these cases, the coverage is the same as for German citizens.
If you are a tourist or do not have status
- Without insurance, medical care is paid for in 100% of cases.
- The cost of a consultation ranges from €80 to €150, and a day in the hospital costs several thousand euros.
- For visas and travel, you must obtain a policy that is accepted by German clinics.
What is not covered for free
- Medicines in pharmacies are usually purchased independently, but with a prescription, part of the cost is compensated by the insurance fund.
- Dentistry: basic treatment is available, but prostheses or implants are paid for in part or in full by the patient.
- Cosmetic procedures, elective surgery without medical indications.
- Long-term psychotherapy — only after approval by the insurance company, places are limited.
What documents confirm the right to free medical care
- Residence permit under §24 AufenthG (temporary protection);
- Health insurance card (Gesundheitskarte);
- Passport or other identity document;
- For students — a certificate from the university and confirmation of insurance policy;
- For employees — employment contract and confirmation of registration with Krankenkasse.
In Germany, there are pharmacies (Apotheke) in almost every neighborhood, but the rules for selling medicines are stricter than in Ukraine. Many drugs that are freely available in Ukraine are only available here with a prescription.
Where to find a pharmacy
Pharmacies are easy to find using Google Maps, but there are also special resources:
- Apotheken.de — search for the nearest pharmacies in any city.
- Apotheken Umschau — a database of pharmacies with opening hours.
- Apotheken-Notdienst-Suche — search for 24-hour and on-call pharmacies.
Large chains operate in cities: DocMorris, Zur Rose, Europa Apotheek. Pharmacies often have both physical locations and online stores.
What medicines are sold without a prescription?
The following can be purchased without a prescription (freiverkäuflich or apothekenpflichtig):
- painkillers and fever reducers (paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin);
- cold and cough remedies;
- allergy medications (mild antihistamines);
- gastrointestinal remedies, probiotics, vitamins, and dietary supplements.
However, antibiotics, strong painkillers (e.g., with codeine), hormonal drugs, most antidepressants, and sleeping pills are only available with a prescription (verschreibungspflichtig).
How do I get a prescription?
- Public doctors (Hausarzt or specialists) write prescriptions during appointments. Since 2024, Germany has been using electronic prescriptions (E-Rezept) — you receive a QR code in the app or a printout with a code, which you show at the pharmacy.
- Private clinics also issue prescriptions, often remotely via telemedicine.
- For chronic conditions, you can get a prescription for several months at once.
Official portal about electronic prescriptions: gesund.bund.de/e-rezept.
Is online ordering available?
Yes, in Germany you can order medicines online with delivery:
For prescription drugs, you still need a valid prescription — it can be downloaded as a QR code.
How to find a Ukrainian equivalent of a medicine?
Many common Ukrainian drugs may have different names in Germany. The easiest way is to:
- search by active ingredient (Wirkstoff) — this information is listed on the packaging;
- ask a pharmacist to find a German equivalent;
- use official databases: Gelbe Liste — a database of German medicines.
📌 For example: instead of “No-shpa,” look for drugs with the active ingredient Drotaverin; instead of “Corvalol,” select equivalents with valerian or other sedatives.
Does insurance cover the cost of medication?
- In the state GKV system, medication prescribed by a doctor is partially reimbursed. The patient usually pays a small co-payment (€5–10 per package).
- Some drugs (e.g., basic antibiotics) may be free of charge.
- Private insurance may cover most of the costs, depending on the terms of the policy.
💡 If you have a chronic illness, we recommend that you check with your doctor or insurance company in advance to see if your medication is listed in the German registry and if it is covered by your policy.
In Germany, the emergency assistance system works clearly and in a structured manner, but it is important for foreigners to know the rules: what is free, when you will be billed, and what documents you need to have with you.
How to call an ambulance
- The single emergency number in Germany is 112.
- Dispatchers usually speak German and English. In large cities, you can sometimes find support in other languages, but you should not count on Ukrainian.
- You should describe the situation briefly and clearly: who is affected, what are the symptoms, and where you are.
Do they provide services without insurance
- In urgent cases (heart attack, stroke, serious injury, life-threatening situation), the ambulance and hospital are required to provide assistance regardless of insurance or status.
- If you have public or private insurance, the costs will be covered in full or in part.
- If you do not have insurance, treatment will be paid for: the hospital will bill the patient directly.
When is assistance free, and when is it not
- For persons with insurance (GKV or PKV), emergency assistance is covered by the insurance policy.
- For Ukrainians with temporary protection status (§24 AufenthG), access to ambulance and hospitalisation is the same as for Germans.
- For tourists without insurance, assistance is paid. The cost can be high:
- ambulance call-out — from €300 to €700,
- hospitalization — from €800 to €1,500 per day, depending on the clinic and treatment.
How hospitalization works
- Upon arrival, the ambulance (Rettungsdienst) assesses the patient's condition and decides whether hospitalization is necessary.
- The patient is taken to the nearest hospital with available beds (Notaufnahme).
- In the emergency room, they run some tests and then decide whether to keep you in the hospital or let you go with some recommendations.
- If you don't have insurance, you might get a bill after your condition stabilizes.
What documents to bring with you
- Passport or other identity document.
- Health insurance card (Gesundheitskarte), if you have one.
- Proof of temporary protection status (Aufenthaltstitel marked §24), if you have one.
- Medications you take regularly (or a list with dosages).
📌 Tip: even if you are entitled to free emergency care, it is better to have a valid insurance policy. It will cover not only ambulance and hospitalization, but also further treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation.
Germany has one of the strongest healthcare systems in Europe, but it is quite bureaucratic. To avoid problems, it is worth preparing documents and instruments in advance, especially if you are planning a long stay.
What documents to prepare
Before traveling, you should have the following with you:
- Medical insurance that is valid in Germany. For tourists or students, this can be a private policy, and for long-term stays, public or private insurance. Without it, treatment will be expensive.
- Copies of medical records (medical history, test results, vaccination certificates) in English or German.
- A list of medications with the active ingredient (Wirkstoff) so that you can easily find an equivalent in a German pharmacy.
- Your passport and a copy of it, as well as your visa or residence permit (if you have one).
- For students — Zulassungsbescheid (letter of admission), for employees — Arbeitsvertrag (employment contract).
Mobile apps and services
- Doctolib — online appointments with doctors and specialists.
- Jameda — doctor search, ratings, online consultations.
- Apotheken.de — database of German pharmacies with maps and opening hours.
- TK-App / AOK-App — apps from the largest Krankenkassen (for those with public insurance).
- Google Translate / DeepL — helps with the translation of medical terms.
Things to do before arrival
Medical insurance that covers emergency care, doctor visits, and hospitalization. This is a mandatory requirement for a visa and residence permit.
If you are planning a long stay (work, study, permanent residence), prepare documents for registration with the Krankenkasse (state insurance fund).
If you have any doubts about your documents or are refused admission, you should contact a lawyer.
Useful phone numbers and contacts
- 112 — single emergency number (ambulance, police, fire department).
- 116 117 — number to call a doctor on duty (Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst) outside of working hours.
- Apotheken-Notdienst — website for finding the nearest 24-hour pharmacy
Tips
- Always have a copy of your insurance policy on your phone and in print.
- Register at a local clinic or choose a Hausarzt (family doctor) in the first few weeks after your arrival.
- If you have chronic illnesses, make an appointment with a doctor in advance.
- Keep a list of medications and insurance company contact information handy.