Medical doctors

If you speak with medical doctors in Germany, they must not pass on anything you tell them. That is the law. In order to treat you properly, the doctor must ask you a lot of questions. If you do not speak German or English very well, it will be better to take along someone you trust and who is able to interpret for you. There are also many doctors who speak languages other than German as well. If there is something you do not understand, ask the doctor. It is the doctor’s job to explain to you everything you need to know. You must always make an appointment to see a doctor. If you come to see a doctor without an appointment, you may have to wait very long or come back another day.

Hospitals

You can only be treated in hospital if a doctor gives you a letter of referral or admission to go there. Otherwise hospitals only treat emergencies.

Examples for emergencies are:

•  Acute difficulty in breathing
•  Acute chest pain
•  Acute stomach ache
•  Acute dizziness
•  Accident and injury
•  Complications in pregnancy
•  Acute mental disorder
•  Acute risk of suicide
•  Drug emergency
•  Allergic shock

In these cases you may always call an ambulance as well.

Pharmacies

If you are just a little ill, you may also buy medicines directly at the pharmacy. The pharmacist will be able to help you. You will have to pay for these medicines yourself. All other medicines you will only get on prescription from the doctor. In that case you will have to pay a maximum of EUR 10.00 per medicine. The health insurance provider will pay the balance. Information flyer

Health insurance company

If you receive your notification from BAMF and you are allowed to stay in Germany or if you find a job, you have to register with a health insurance company. It is not possible to register with any health insurance company. However, you may choose the health insurance yourself. To register, you need your residence permit (ID) and the notice of termination of the asylum seeker benefits or the employment contract. You also have to take 1 passport photo with you for the electronic health card (health insurance card). Children under 15 do not need a passport photo. In Germany there are statutory and private health insurance companies. Most people are insured with a statutory health insurance. Up to a certain income (money from work) you have to register with a statutory health insurance. If you get more money, you can choose whether you want to be voluntarily enrolled in a statutory health insurance or in a private health insurance. (Attention: with a private health insurance you have to pay the doctor and the medicines first, later you will get back the money from the health insurance.) More information can be found here.

The health insurance companies will help you if you are ill. For example, you also pay for the birth of your children, for dental care or physiotherapy.