🇩🇪 Healthcare in Germany
How statutory and private health insurance work for students in Germany, how to find a doctor, and the emergency numbers to keep on hand.
🚨 Emergency numbers
Germany has one of the most comprehensive healthcare systems in the world, built around mandatory Krankenversicherung (health insurance). As a student you must have valid coverage — there is no gap allowed.
The healthcare system
Health insurance in Germany falls into two categories:
- Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (GKV) — statutory (public) insurance. Students enrolled at a German university and under 30 years old pay a heavily subsidised student rate (currently around €120/month for the standard package). Providers include TK (Techniker Krankenkasse), AOK, Barmer, and others.
- Private Krankenversicherung (PKV) — private insurance. Available to EU students who already have EHIC/private coverage from home, or to non-EU students who can demonstrate equivalent coverage. Requires formal exemption from GKV at enrollment.
Enrolment at a German university is conditional on proof of insurance. Apply for GKV before or immediately on arrival; the insurer issues a confirmation letter you need for Immatrikulation.
Finding & registering with a doctor
Outpatient care begins with a Hausarzt (family doctor / GP). You do not need to formally register in advance, but most practices prefer you to introduce yourself outside of an acute episode.
- Search for a Hausarzt accepting new patients on kassenarztliche-bundesvereinigung.de or ask your Studentenwerk.
- Bring your Versichertenkarte (insurance card, issued by your GKV provider) to every appointment — it authenticates your coverage electronically.
- Specialists (Fachärzte) can usually be seen without a GP referral, though some insurers prefer one; check your policy.
Tip: many GP practices close at midday and on Wednesday afternoons. Call ahead or check opening hours (Sprechzeiten) before visiting.
Pharmacies & prescriptions
Apotheken (pharmacies) — identified by a red "A" sign — are the only places that dispense prescription and many over-the-counter medicines. Prescription drugs are covered by your GKV with a modest co-pay (Zuzahlung) of €5–10 per item. Apotheken staff almost always speak enough English in university cities, but apps like DocMorris can help with translation. Bring an adequate supply of any regular medication and ask your Hausarzt for a German prescription early.
Emergencies & urgent care
| Situation | Where to go |
|---|---|
| Life-threatening (cardiac arrest, stroke, severe injury) | Call 112 / go to Notaufnahme (A&E) |
| Urgent but not life-threatening (high fever at night, sudden acute pain) | Call 116117 for the medical on-call service (arztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst) |
| Routine care outside office hours | 116117 will direct you to the nearest on-call practice |
The 116117 service is free, staffed by medical professionals, and operates nights, weekends, and public holidays. It triages your situation and tells you whether a home visit, a walk-in on-call practice, or the ER is appropriate.
Mental health support
University counselling services (Psychologische Beratungsstelle des Studentenwerks) offer free sessions — wait times can be several weeks, so register early. For acute crises, call 0800 1110111 (Telefonseelsorge, free, 24/7) or 0800 1110222 (Catholic equivalent). GKV covers outpatient psychotherapy (Psychotherapie); your Hausarzt can write a referral, or you can apply to a licensed therapist directly. Germany has a shortage of therapists, so waiting lists exist — start the process early.