The German healthcare system covers three main areas:
- Outpatient care (e.g. visiting the doctor or dentist in their own practice)
- Inpatient care (e.g. treatment in a hospital)
- Rehabilitation (e.g. physiotherapy or psychological therapy)
The healthcare system is funded by a mixture of employee and employer social security contributions and government subsidies and is run by both public and profit-making healthcare providers, insurance schemes, regulatory bodies and the Federal Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium für Gesundheit).
German health insurance
Having health insurance is compulsory in Germany. Once you register as a resident, you will need to take out health insurance, even if you already have an existing policy that covers you in Germany. There are two main types of health insurance in Germany: statutory health insurance and private health insurance. You can learn about the differences between them and eligibility in our dedicated guides.
Doctors & GPs
Doctors & General Practitioners (GPs) will be your first port of call if you become ill in Germany. They can treat most minor ailments and provide referrals to specialists and hospitals, where necessary. It's a good idea to get registered with a doctor soon after arriving in Germany, so you know where to go should you fall ill.
Hospitals in Germany
If you require urgent or more specialist care, you may be referred to a hospital. Hospitals in Germany can be publicly-, privately- or charitably-funded and usually treat all patients, regardless of which type of health insurance you have.
Pharmacies & Medicine
If you get a prescription for medication from your doctor, you will need to fill it at your local pharmacy. Pharmacies in Germany also sell a range of over-the-counter medicines, adminster vaccines, and can provide advice on a range of different medical problems.
Dentists in Germany
Dentistry in Germany is semi-privatised, meaning that basic treatments are usually covered by health insurance, but patients will have to pay extra for more major or cosmetic treatments. It is also possible to purchase additional insurance to cover a wider range of dental care. Dentists and dental care providers in Germany will usually only accept either publicly- or privately-insured patients, but some will accept both.
Psychologists, therapists & Counsellors
The life of an expat is fun and rewarding - but it's not without its difficulties. Many people adjusting to life abroad find that, at some point or another, they could do with some support, whether that's for loneliness, depression, anxiety or something else. If you are experiencing difficulties, reach out to one of our expat-friendly psychologists, therapists and counsellors for help.