How long is the wait to see a doctor in Germany?

Waiting times to see a doctor in Germany are increasing, according to figures from the Federal Ministry of Health. The government hopes to reduce waiting times with a reform, but it isn't due to take effect until 2028.

Patients wait 42 days to see German specialists

In 2024, people with statutory health insurance in Germany were waiting an average of 42 days to get an appointment with a specialist doctor, according to figures from the Federal Ministry of Health.

Back in 2019, people with statutory insurance faced an average wait of 33 days. The figures were released following an information request from The Left Party and first reported by Rheinische Post.

The figures are based on information from people with statutory insurance who waited at least one day to see a specialist doctor. In Germany, GPs (Hausärzte) are also considered specialist doctors (Fachärzte).

Peter Heinz of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Providers in Bavaria told BR24 that there are a number of reasons for the delays, including an increasingly older population and new treatment possibilities.

Hausarzt reform may reduce waits

Since 2009, anyone with health insurance in Germany has been able to book an appointment directly with a specialist. For example, if you suspected you had an ear infection, you could book an appointment directly with the nearest ENT doctor.

A reform due to take effect in 2028 will instead put Hausärzte at the centre of this system. Under the new plan, patients will have to visit their Hausarzt first, who will make an assessment if they need to be referred to a specialist, and if so, which kind of specialist. 

Though further details of the new system are still to be ironed out, the CDU/CSU-SPD coalition government hopes it will free up appointments at specialist clinics. The idea is that there will be fewer people booking up appointments with the incorrect kind of Facharzt for their yet-undiagnosed condition.

Representatives from the German Foundation for Patient Protection and National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians have warned that already stretched Hausärzte do not have the staff or support they need to take on more patients.