How to Find a Doctor (Hausarzt) in Germany as an Expat
Finding a doctor in Germany is one of the first things you should do after arriving, ideally before you actually need one. If you have children, finding a reliable pediatrician is a priority; check my guide on securing a Kinderarzt in Germany. The German system works differently from most countries, and understanding it upfront saves a lot of frustration. This guide walks you through everything step by step.
Choose Your Doctor-Setup Route
- You just arrived: Find and register a Hausarzt before you need one urgently.
- You need specialists often: Understand the referral chain early so the system feels less arbitrary.
- You have children: Set up the paediatrician route in parallel instead of waiting for the first illness.
- You want the shortest route: Sort insurance, then choose the doctor, then learn the referral logic.
How the German Doctor System Works
Germany uses a gatekeeping system. Your Hausarzt (family doctor / GP) is your first point of contact for almost everything. To see a specialist (a dermatologist, cardiologist, orthopaedist) you typically need a referral (Überweisung) from your Hausarzt first. Without it, many specialists won’t see you, or you’ll pay out of pocket.
There are two main types of doctors:
- Hausarzt, your GP, handles general health, referrals, sick notes (Krankschreibung), prescriptions
- Facharzt: specialist (cardiologist, dermatologist, etc.), usually requires a referral
What You Need Before Your First Appointment
- Krankenkassenkarte, your health insurance card (plastic card issued by your Krankenkasse like TK, AOK, Barmer). You must show this at every appointment.
- Passport or ID
- Anmeldung confirmation: your address registration document
- Previous medical records: if you have them, bring a summary in German or English
If you just arrived and don’t have your Krankenkassenkarte yet, bring your health insurance confirmation letter instead. Most practices accept this while the card is being issued.
How to Find a Hausarzt Near You
Option 1: Doctolib (Recommended)
Doctolib.de is the most popular doctor booking platform in Germany. You can filter by:
- Location (your city or postcode)
- Doctor type (Allgemeinmedizin = general medicine / Hausarzt)
- Language spoken: filter for “Englisch” to find English-speaking doctors
- Insurance type (Kassenpatient = public insurance, Privatpatient = private)
Many practices allow online booking directly through Doctolib, no phone call needed.
Option 2: Jameda
Jameda.de is Germany’s largest doctor review platform. Similar filtering options to Doctolib, with patient reviews to help you choose.
Option 3: Your Krankenkasse
Your health insurer (TK, AOK, Barmer etc.) has a doctor search tool on their website and app. TK’s app is particularly good and available in English.
Option 4: Kassenärztliche Vereinigung
Each German state has a Kassenärztliche Vereinigung (KV), the official association of registered GKV doctors. Their website has a searchable directory of all registered practices accepting public insurance patients.
Calling to Register
Once you find a practice, call to ask if they are:
- Accepting new patients (“Nehmen Sie neue Patienten an?”)
- Accepting public insurance (“Nehmen Sie Kassenpatienten?”)
In larger cities, many practices have long waiting lists or are not accepting new patients. Call several practices, it’s normal to try 5–10 before finding one with availability.
Your First Appointment
At your first visit (Erstvorstellung), the practice will register you in their system. Bring all your documents. The doctor will take a basic medical history, many practices have a registration form, sometimes available in English.
Appointments in Germany are typically short (10–15 minutes). Be direct and specific about your symptoms. If you need a longer consultation, mention it when booking.
Getting a Sick Note (Krankschreibung)
If you’re too ill to work, your Hausarzt issues a Krankschreibung (sick note / Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung). You must notify your employer on day one of illness, and submit the sick note from day 3. Your Hausarzt can backdate it to cover the first days if needed.
Getting Prescriptions
Your Hausarzt issues prescriptions (Rezept) for medications. With public insurance, many medications cost a flat fee of €5–10 at the pharmacy (Apotheke), regardless of the actual medication price. Some medications are fully covered with no copay.
Seeing a Specialist (Facharzt)
Ask your Hausarzt for a referral (Überweisung), a printed form that authorises you to see a specific type of specialist. The referral is valid for one quarter (January–March, April–June, etc.).
Waiting times for specialists in Germany can be long, often 2–6 weeks, sometimes months for psychiatrists and dermatologists. For urgent cases, your Hausarzt can mark the referral as urgent (dringend).
Emergency Contacts
- 112: Emergency (ambulance, fire, police). Free from any phone. For life-threatening situations.
- 116117, Out-of-hours medical service (Bereitschaftsdienst). For non-emergency medical issues outside surgery hours (evenings, weekends). A doctor can advise by phone or arrange a home visit.
- Notaufnahme: A&E / Emergency room. Go to the nearest hospital’s Notaufnahme for urgent but non-life-threatening issues when your Hausarzt is unavailable.
Finding English-Speaking Doctors
In major cities (Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne), finding English-speaking doctors is simple, filter by language on Doctolib or Jameda. In smaller cities it can be harder but is still possible.
International companies often have lists of recommended English-speaking doctors for their expat employees, worth asking your HR department.
Sources: Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung, Doctolib.de, TK Techniker Krankenkasse. Always consult a qualified medical professional for personal health decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Hausarzt, and why do I need one in Germany?
A Hausarzt is a general practitioner (GP) or family doctor. They are your primary point of contact for all non-emergency medical issues, write prescriptions, issue sick notes (Krankschreibung), and refer you to specialists (Fachärzte) when needed.
How can I find an English-speaking doctor in Germany?
The easiest way is using the booking app Doctolib, where you can filter doctors by language. Alternatively, you can use the search engine on your public health insurance provider's website or check local expat community groups.
Can I just walk into a doctor's clinic without an appointment?
For acute illnesses, many clinics have designated walk-in hours (Akutsprechstunde) in the morning. However, you should expect long waiting times. For routine checks, you must book an appointment in advance.
Do I have to pay when visiting a Hausarzt in Germany?
If you have German public health insurance (GKV), you simply present your insurance card (Krankenkassenkarte) at reception, and the clinic bills the insurer directly. If you have private insurance (PKV), you will receive a bill at home, which you pay first and then submit to your insurer for reimbursement.
Disclaimer: Expatzentrum is an informational portal designed to help expats navigate life in Germany. While we make every effort to keep our guides accurate, up-to-date, and compliant with current German regulations, the information on this website does not constitute official legal, tax, or financial advice. We are not certified tax advisors (Steuerberater) or legal practitioners. Always consult a qualified professional or the relevant German authorities (such as the Finanzamt or Deutsche Rentenversicherung) before making major financial or legal decisions.
