Germany Healthcare System Guide
How the healthcare system works in Germany — emergency numbers, GP access, vaccines, insurance and medical costs for visitors and expats.
Healthcare system overview
Germany operates a dual-track mandatory insurance system: public statutory insurance (GKV, ~87% of population) and private insurance (PKV, ~13%). The system is among the best-funded in Europe with short wait times and high-quality facilities. Patients have free choice of doctor and direct specialist access without referral. However, the system is designed for insured residents — uninsured visitors face steep out-of-pocket costs. Call 116 117 for non-emergency urgent medical help.
System type: Mandatory insurance (public Gesetzliche or private Krankenversicherung)
Emergency numbers & response
Dial: 112
Typical response time: 8-15 minutes nationwide (among fastest in Europe)
Costs: With insurance: free. Without insurance: ER visit €200-600+, ambulance €400-800+, hospital stay €300-800+/day.
Call 112 for life-threatening emergencies. Call 116 117 (Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst) for urgent but non-life-threatening issues — available evenings, nights, weekends. Notaufnahme (ER) is open 24/7 at all major hospitals.
Seeing a doctor as a visitor
No referral needed. Can book directly with any GP (Hausarzt) or specialist. Private patients often get faster appointments.
Typical wait: GP: same day to 3 days. Specialists: 2-6 weeks (GKV) or days (PKV). Use 116 117 for urgent specialist referrals.
Typical cost: With insurance: no charge. Without insurance: €50-100 per GP visit, €100-300+ for specialists.
Widely available in cities. Growing shortages in rural eastern Germany (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Brandenburg, Sachsen-Anhalt). Use Jameda or Doctolib apps to find available doctors.
Vaccines for travel
Recommended: Routine vaccines (MMR, DTP, Polio, Flu), COVID-19, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Measles (MMR booster — mandatory for school/childcare since 2020), Tick-borne Encephalitis (TBE — recommended for Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, Thuringia), Polio booster (poliovirus detected in wastewater)
Masernschutzgesetz (Measles Protection Act) requires proof of measles immunity for childcare, schools, and certain workplaces. TBE vaccine strongly recommended for outdoor activities in endemic southern and central states. No yellow fever requirement.
Insurance & visa health requirements
Insurance required for visa: yes
Public coverage for visitors: limited
Health insurance is MANDATORY — no visa issued without proof. EU Blue Card available for skilled workers earning above threshold. Anmeldung (address registration) required within 14 days of arrival — needed for insurance enrollment and bank accounts.
Documents to prepare:
- EHIC/GHIC (EU/EEA visitors — covers public care)
- Proof of health insurance (mandatory for all visa types)
- Gesundheitskarte (health insurance card, once enrolled)
- Schengen certificate for controlled medications
- Anmeldung confirmation (address registration, within 14 days of arrival)
Typical medical costs
Private GP visit: €50-100 per GP visit (uninsured). Insured: no direct charge.
Emergency care without insurance: ER visit: €200-600+. Ambulance: €400-800+. Hospital: €300-800+/day. You will be treated and billed afterwards.
Medication: Insured patients pay €5-10 copay per prescription. Children under 18: free. Without insurance, medications cost full pharmacy price (often €10-80+ per item).
Pharmacies & medication
Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30am–6:30pm, Sat mornings. Apotheke Notdienst (emergency pharmacy) operates 24/7 on rotation — find nearest at apotheken.de or call 0800 00 22 833.
Over the counter: Pharmacists are highly trained but Germany is stricter than many countries — ibuprofen 400mg+, many cold remedies, and allergy medications require prescriptions. Paracetamol and low-dose ibuprofen available OTC.
Controlled substances: Germany's Betäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG, narcotics law) is very strict. Travellers must carry a Schengen certificate signed by their doctor and stamped by their national health authority for any controlled medication (e.g., ADHD medication, opioids, benzodiazepines).
Things that catch visitors out in Germany
- Health insurance is LEGALLY MANDATORY — you cannot register, get a visa, or open a bank account without it
- Many Hausärzte (family doctors) have closed patient lists — finding a GP accepting new patients can take weeks
- Without German insurance, a single GP visit costs €50-100 and an ER visit €200-600+
- Public insurance (GKV) covers family members for free, but visitors and freelancers often must go private (PKV)
- Most medical paperwork and doctor communication is in German only — bring a translator or use DeepL
- Switching from private (PKV) back to public (GKV) insurance is extremely restricted after age 55
Practical tips for travellers
- Always carry your Gesundheitskarte (insurance card) — doctors cannot treat you without it
- Register a Hausarzt (family doctor) early — they coordinate referrals and manage your records
- Call 116 117 for urgent non-emergency care evenings and weekends — they can arrange same-day appointments
- Use Jameda or Doctolib apps to find doctors with available slots and read patient reviews
- Pharmacies (Apotheke, red "A" sign) are expert advisors — visit them first for minor ailments
- Find the nearest 24/7 emergency pharmacy at apotheken.de or call 0800 00 22 833
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