'How to See a Doctor in Germany: General Practitioner (Hausarzt),

In Germany, most routine medical issues begin not at a hospital, but at a doctor’s office—Praxis. For adults, the first point of contact is often a family doctor (Hausarzt) or a general practitioner (Allgemeinarzt); for children, it’s a pediatrician (Kinderarzt). It’s convenient to go through them to address current health concerns, get prescriptions, sick leave, vaccinations, referrals to a specialist (Facharzt), and further diagnostic tests.

The system differs from the usual clinic: doctors usually work in separate private practices, appointment schedules can be full, and for urgent but non-life-threatening conditions, the 116117 service can help. In life-threatening situations, call 112.

Who to Choose First: General Practitioner, Pediatrician, or Specialist

A Hausarzt is a family doctor for adults. They maintain your medical history, are familiar with your chronic conditions and medications, refer you to specialists, and assist with sick leave. Families with children usually have a separate Kinderarzt: pediatricians work with infants, school-age children, and adolescents, conduct preventive checkups, and provide vaccinations.

You can contact some specialists directly, but in practice, a Überweisung (referral) often speeds up and streamlines the process. It is especially important if the specialist needs information from your Hausarzt or if the treatment is part of the Hausarztprogramm.

Do you need to “register” with a doctor?

In Germany, there is no mandatory assignment to a specific doctor based on your address, as there is in Russia. Patients choose their own practice based on location, language, reviews, recommendations from friends, or available appointment times. The address or your registration in Germany does not, in and of itself, require you to see a specific doctor.

However, a good practice may not be accepting new patients. In that case, you should:

Ask if you can be placed on a waiting list;
search for several nearby practices at once;
Check for new appointment slots at the beginning of each quarter;
check online and phone appointment schedules;
Ask specifically about being seen as an Akutpatient if your condition is acute.

If you don’t have a doctor yet and need help quickly, don’t wait for “your” Hausarzt at all costs. For urgent but non-life-threatening cases, call 116117 or go to the nearest on-call clinic (Bereitschaftspraxis). If you have severe symptoms, injuries, a suspected heart attack or stroke, severe shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness, call 112.

How to Find a Doctor Who Speaks Russian or English

It’s easier for foreigners to start with doctors who list the languages they speak on their websites. You can search for language options through the practices’ own websites, regional doctor search engines, 116117, as well as through appointment booking services like jameda.de and doctolib.de. These services are useful as an additional resource; you can search for dentists in a similar way at and, but you should still check with the Praxis directly to confirm availability and insurance coverage.

English is often spoken at the doctor’s office, but it’s not guaranteed. Russian-speaking staff are not available everywhere, especially outside major cities. If your medical German is still limited, you can bring someone along to your first visit to help translate your symptoms, medications, and the doctor’s questions.

How to Make an Appointment at a Praxis

Appointments are usually made in one of the following ways:

Call the practice and briefly describe the problem.
Make an appointment using the form on the doctor’s website.
Use online services if the practice is connected to them.
For an emergency, contact 116117 or your regional on-call clinic (Bereitschaftspraxis).

When calling, it’s helpful to prepare some German phrases in advance: what hurts, how long it’s been going on, whether you have a fever, whether you need a certificate of incapacity for work (Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung), and whether you have a referral or a Vermittlungscode. If the condition is acute, say akut directly and list your symptoms without lengthy explanations.

Bring the following to your appointment:

the electronic health insurance card Gesundheitskarte;
a list of medications you are taking;
past medical records, test results, and imaging reports;
a referral, if available;
A passport or residence permit, if the practice requests documentation for initial registration.

What Happens During an Appointment

At the reception desk, the patient gives their name, presents their Gesundheitskarte, and waits to be called. Even with an appointment, there may be a wait: the doctor may be delayed due to urgent patients, complex cases, or procedures.

During the initial consultation, the doctor usually asks about your symptoms, chronic conditions, allergies, medications, surgeries, vaccinations, and family medical history. The doctor then performs a physical exam, prescribes treatment, writes a prescription, or refers you to another specialist.

If you need a **** or a ****, the doctor will issue an Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung. For employees in Germany, it’s not just the paper certificate that matters: sick leave is increasingly being sent to the employer and health insurance provider electronically. Patients should still check with their employer to find out by when they need to report their illness.

Prescriptions and Treatment

Doctors in Germany generally prescribe treatment based on medical guidelines and reimbursement rules. Therefore, for a common cold, they often recommend symptomatic treatment, rest, plenty of fluids, and observation, rather than antibiotics “just in case.” Strong medications are prescribed only when medically indicated.

Prescriptions in Germany vary: some medications are covered by state insurance, while others must be purchased by the patient. GKV covers necessary treatment under mandatory insurance; the practice may offer additional tests or individualized medical services as Selbstzahler-Leistung. Before agreeing to a service, it’s best to request a written cost estimate and ask why the service isn’t covered by insurance.

Private health insurance (PKV) often offers more flexibility in terms of reimbursement and access to specific doctors, but this depends on the plan. The statement “private insurance covers everything” is incorrect: limits, exclusions, and payment procedures are specified in the contract. For more information on types of health insurance in Germany, see.

Referral (Überweisung) to a Specialist

Überweisung — a referral to a specialist, a laboratory, for diagnostic tests, or to a hospital. In the standard outpatient system, it is not always required, but it remains useful: the specialist receives the medical reason for the referral, the family doctor receives the results, and it is easier for the patient to explain why the appointment is needed quickly.

Your family doctor refers you to a specialist via an Überweisung.

A referral is often particularly important for radiology, laboratory diagnostics, psychotherapy, elective surgeries, and situations where the insurance company needs to understand the medical basis for the treatment. If you participate in the Hausarztprogramm, you usually need to see your Hausarzt first, except for the exceptions specified in the program agreement.

When to Call 116117

116117 is the federal Patient Service for people with public health insurance who need medical care or an appointment, but whose situation is not life-threatening. The service is available by phone and online; it helps you find on-call practices, schedule an appointment with a doctor or psychotherapist, and figure out where to go for help.

116117 is appropriate if:

The practice is closed in the evenings, on weekends, and on holidays;
The condition cannot wait a few days but does not require an ambulance;
You need to schedule an appointment through the official Terminservice;
The doctor provided a referral code for an urgent appointment;
You’re not sure whether to go to a general practice (Praxis), an on-call clinic (Bereitschaftspraxis), or a hospital.

116117 is not a substitute for 112. In case of severe chest pain, signs of a stroke, serious injury, a life-threatening situation, or a sudden deterioration in your condition, call an ambulance at or 112. Also, 116117 is not a dental emergency service: for a toothache, look for a Zahnärztlicher Notdienst or a dental practice.

Official online appointments are available at 116117-termine.de.

Emergency Room, On-Call Clinic, and On-Call Doctor

The Notaufnahme or Rettungsstelle at a hospital is for true emergencies: serious trauma, suspected heart attack or stroke, severe bleeding, acute respiratory failure, or loss of consciousness. If the situation is serious, do not drive yourself—call 112.

Bereitschaftspraxis or ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst is an option for evenings, weekends, and holidays when regular practices are closed but the condition is not life-threatening. You can find the address of the nearest on-call practice by calling 116117.

If your Hausarzt is on vacation, the answering machine or the practice’s website will usually indicate the dates of their absence and the Praxis-Vertretung—the doctor who is temporarily seeing patients.

Sick Leave by Phone

Obtaining a sick note over the phone in Germany has become a standard option for minor illnesses, but this does not mean that you can get a sick note from any doctor without an in-person examination. Typically, the patient must be a registered patient at the practice, the symptoms must be mild, and the doctor must deem a telephone assessment sufficient. An initial sick note issued over the phone is limited to a short period; if your condition worsens or requires a longer absence, an in-person visit may be necessary.

Therefore, if you have a cold, a fever, or a cough, it’s best to check the policies at your specific practice: some doctors issue sick leave over the phone, while others ask you to come in for an examination, especially if you’re a new patient or your symptoms are atypical.

Hausarztprogramm: Voluntary Family Doctor Program

The Hausarztprogramm or Hausarztzentrierte Versorgung (HzV) is a voluntary program within the GKV system. The patient chooses a Hausarzt as their first point of contact and usually agrees to consult them first, with referrals to specialists required. The health insurance provider and the practice must explain the terms and conditions before the patient signs up.

Membership is generally valid for at least one year. Exceptions usually apply to emergencies, visits to dentists, gynecologists, ophthalmologists, and pediatricians, as well as situations outside the region covered by your chosen doctor; however, specific rules depend on your health insurance provider and your contract.

Advantages of the Hausarztprogramm

A single doctor coordinates treatment and maintains the patient’s complete medical record;
There is less risk of duplicating tests and examinations;
It’s easier for patients with chronic conditions to schedule follow-up appointments;
A family doctor (Hausarzt) can more quickly determine which specialist to refer you to;
Sometimes health insurance providers offer additional services or benefits.

Disadvantages of the Hausarztprogramm

There is less flexibility to schedule appointments directly with specialists;
Changing your Hausarzt is usually subject to contractual restrictions;
Be sure to read the health insurance company’s terms and conditions carefully before signing;
Organizational difficulties may arise when moving or in the event of a conflict with a practice.

Do not sign up for the Hausarztprogramm “on the fly” at the reception desk. Ask for a copy of the terms and conditions, clarify the duration, exceptions, the procedure for changing doctors, and how it affects switching to another Krankenkasse. Switching to another health insurance provider may have separate rules and deadlines.

Practical Checklist for Your First Visit

Find 2–3 medical practices near your home or work.
Check which languages are spoken, online scheduling options, and whether new patients are accepted.
Have your Gesundheitskarte and a list of medications ready.
Write down your symptoms in German: when they started, what makes them worse, and whether you have a fever.
If you need a sick leave note, please mention this when you make your appointment.
If the situation is urgent, use words like akut, starke Schmerzen, Fieber, or Atemnot—depending on the situation.
In a life-threatening situation, call 112—don’t wait for an appointment.

Common Mistakes

Don’t wait until you’re sick to look for a Hausarzt, when appointment slots are already full.
Going to the Notaufnahme with a problem that should be handled by a Praxis or the Bereitschaftsdienst.
Do not expect to be prescribed antibiotics for a common cold unless medically indicated.
Signing up for the Hausarztprogramm without understanding the restrictions.
Do not inform the doctor about your medications, allergies, or past diagnoses.
Confusing 116117 and 112.

FAQ

Can you see a specialist right away in Germany?

Sometimes it’s possible, but not always convenient. In practice, a referral from a Hausarzt helps explain the medical necessity and ensure continuity of care. In the Hausarztprogramm, direct access to specialists is often restricted by contract.

Do you have to pay at the appointment if you have GKV?

For standard necessary treatment covered by GKV, the practice bills the insurance company directly. You are responsible for paying for services that are not covered or that you have chosen as add-ons. Before receiving such services, ask for the price and obtain written consent.

What should you do if no general practitioner (Hausarzt) is accepting new patients?

Keep calling practices, ask for a waiting list, check 116117, look for doctors in neighboring areas, and inquire about the “Akutsprechstunde” (emergency consultation). In urgent cases, use the “Bereitschaftsdienst” (on-call service) or the “Notaufnahme” (emergency room), depending on the severity of the situation.

Can I get a prescription through a video consultation?

Sometimes, yes: certain private practices and telemedicine services can issue an e-prescription or a referral if medically appropriate. However, not all cases are suitable for remote consultations, and new patients often require an in-person evaluation.