Healthcare in Germany

The standard of healthcare in Germany is excellent, and there’s a growing culture centred on healthy living.

Both public and private hospitals in Germany should meet expats’ expectations. Germany is home to several leaders in medical research and pharmaceuticals and numerous specialist hospitals. Berlin, in particular, is a leading health destination in Europe and is home to some of the country’s largest medical centres.

By German law, all residents must have health insurance that covers hospital and outpatient medical treatment. Proof of health insurance is also mandatory when applying for a German visa. Fortunately, if you work in Germany, your employer typically registers you with a local German health insurance company as part of the visa application process.

Public healthcare in Germany

With more than 2,000 hospitals in the country, you will never be too far from medical assistance.

Medical facilities in both public and private clinics in Germany are first-class and known for short waiting times. Doctors and medical staff are well-trained and professional and generally speak fluent English. Most German hospitals have several specialists, but it’s also possible to find specialists who work outside of hospitals.

Typically, if you need medical assistance, you would first visit a general practitioner (GP). The GP would assess your condition and refer you to a specialist if necessary.

EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access state healthcare during a short-term visit. UK citizens can use their Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which replaced the EHIC for UK citizens post-Brexit.

Useful links

• German Federal Ministry of Health

Private healthcare in Germany

Although public healthcare is most popular among German citizens, around 11 percent of the local population and expats opt for private healthcare (Private Krankenversicherung, PKV). You can only purchase private health insurance coverage if you are:

• a high-income earner (over EUR 70,000)
• self-employed
• a civil servant

Private healthcare allows policyholders to customise their policies to include services like dental and optometry. Private healthcare costs are significantly higher than public services, but it allows greater flexibility than public healthcare.

There are two kinds of private hospitals in Germany: non-profit and for-profit facilities. Private hospitals typically offer private rooms and a more luxurious experience, and waiting times are also much shorter.

Health insurance in Germany

All residents in Germany legally must have health insurance, including expats with a residence permit or a fixed-term contract for more than a year. Therefore, you will have to sign up for some form of health insurance.

There are two types of health insurance in Germany: private health insurance through a company or statutory health insurance provided by the state. You can only take advantage of statutory health insurance if you are formally employed by a company in Germany, while self-employed expats have to get a private policy.

Employers share the cost of health insurance with expats and usually pay half of the cost, regardless of whether they have chosen private or statutory health insurance.

Useful links

• Techniker Krankenkasse (TK)

Pharmacies and medicines in Germany

Pharmacies, or Apotheken as they are known locally, are easy to find and can be identified by a large red ‘A’ on their signs.

By law, pharmacies in Germany must be owned and run by a qualified pharmacist. But each pharmacist is only allowed to own up to three pharmacies. So, unlike many other countries, you won’t find any large drugstore chains in Germany.

North American expats should note that a drugstore, or Drogerie, in Germany sells toiletries and consumer goods but not medicines.

All medications, including non-prescription drugs, are kept behind the counter in German pharmacies. Only a selection of non-medicinal health products is available on the shelves.

Pharmacists in Germany are cautious and are likely to ask customers whether they understand the dosage on their prescriptions. They also generally speak good English and can offer advice on non-prescription medicines.

Most pharmacies are well-stocked. If a customer needs medicine that’s not in stock, it can usually be ordered for same-day pick-up or, at the longest, the following day.

Most pharmacies are closed in the evenings, on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and holidays. Some even close early on Wednesdays. However, every pharmacy has a list on the door listing the pharmacies in the local area that stay open late for emergencies.

Health hazards in Germany

There aren’t any significant health hazards facing German residents. Some major health hazards are related to lifestyle diseases. Germany has a strong drinking culture, and much of the cuisine is centred around breads, so obesity and cardiovascular diseases are prevalent in the country. We recommend maintaining an active lifestyle and eating a healthy diet while living in Germany.

Vaccinations for Germany

No special vaccinations are required for expats moving to Germany, but the following routine vaccines are recommended:

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria
• Hepatitis B

Although it is no longer a prerequisite to entering Germany, a COVID-19 vaccine is also recommended for safe travel. Cases of measles are also on the rise worldwide, and we recommend getting your vaccinations up-to-date if you are not fully vaccinated against the disease.

Emergency services in Germany

In an emergency, you can call an ambulance in Germany by dialling 115. Except for some smaller private hospitals, most hospitals have an Accident and Emergency unit.

Patients arriving at a German hospital in an emergency will receive treatment even if they cannot show proof of health insurance. However, their treatment will likely be expensive if they aren’t covered.