As an asylum seeker you are not covered by health insurance. However, you can still see a doctor if you are acutely ill, in pain or pregnant. You will need a medical treatment certificate for this. You can get this fro, your social welfare office (town hall, district administration). The social welfare office can determine which doctor you should see and whether you are allowed to see a specialist or whether further treatment is authorised. Sometimes you also get an electronic health card with which you can go directly to the doctor. In an emergency you can also go to a hospital. You will then not need a medical treatment certificate. The hospital contacts the social welfare office direclty regarding the costs.

You got to the doctor with a medical certificate. If the doctor prescribes medication for you you do not have to pay any money for it. It is important that the doctor checks the box " free of extra payment" on the prescription

More Information: Guide health

If you have problems understanding or talking to a doctor there are translators who will voluntarily go with you to the doctor and translate the conversation with the doctor.

Many doctors or even medical assistants speak different languages and can translate. There are various lists of doctors with knowledge of foreign languages:

Via the Website „Doctor search“ doctors with foreign language skills can be found in Baden-Würrtemberg (Mannheim, Heidelberg, Rhein-Neckar-Kreis).

In Rhineland-Palatinate there is a Website on the search for doctors where you can ask for foregin languages.

Hesse: In the district Bergstraße there is a brochure "Which language does my doctor/pharmacist speak." The brochure is available in the town halls in the Bergstraße district and from doctors and pharmacies.

More information about health.