Finding an English-speaking doctor in Germany

Whether you have just moved to Germany for work or study, or have lived here for a while: talking about your health in a foreign language is hard. Many doctors in German cities speak English, but they are not always easy to find. This guide shows where to look and how the German system works for newcomers.

How do you find a doctor who speaks English?

The most reliable starting point is the official doctor search at arztsuche.116117.de, run by the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV). It lists all practices that treat people with statutory health insurance and lets you filter by foreign language [1] [2].

Keep in mind that the language details in doctor directories are provided by the practices themselves. Nobody tests how fluent a doctor is. If language matters a lot to you, ask the practice when you book whether you can be seen by someone who speaks English.

What do you need before your first appointment?

Before you see a doctor, you need health insurance. Everyone who lives in Germany must be insured, either with a statutory health insurer or with a private one [4] [5]. Most employees are automatically insured in the statutory system [5].

What you bring to the practice depends on your insurance:

• Statutory insurance: your electronic health card (elektronische Gesundheitskarte). It is your proof of insurance, and the practice bills your insurer directly [6].
• Private insurance: you usually receive an invoice from the practice and claim the costs back from your insurer.
• Visitors from the EU: your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It covers necessary treatment at practices that work with the statutory health insurers. Look for "Kassenarzt" or "Alle Kassen" [7].

Do you need a referral to see a GP?

No. You can see a GP (Hausärztin or Hausarzt) without a referral. In Germany, the GP is the first point of contact for most health problems, and people with statutory insurance can choose their doctor freely [8] [9]. Within one quarter of the year, however, you should only switch practices for an important reason [8].

Your GP refers you to specialists when needed. For some specialists, such as radiology, people with statutory insurance always need a referral [9]. If you are enrolled in your insurer's GP programme (Hausarztprogramm), you agree to see your GP first, except in emergencies and for gynaecology, ophthalmology and paediatrics [9].

It is worth registering with a GP practice before you get ill. Practices that are fully booked may decline new patients, so it is easier to find one when you are not in a hurry.

What if the doctor does not speak English?

If no English-speaking doctor is available, you can bring someone who speaks German and whom you trust. Doctors must explain a treatment and its risks in a way you can understand before you consent [10]. This does not have to be a professional interpreter: a family member, friend or staff member who speaks your language can help [11].

A video consultation can also help: for many concerns, such as a cold, a repeat prescription or a sick note, you do not need to visit a practice in person, and you can choose a doctor who speaks English even if they are not in your neighbourhood.

Statutory health insurance generally does not pay for interpreters. According to the German Bundestag's research service, there is no legal basis in the Social Code for covering these costs, so patients usually pay for an interpreter themselves [11]. Sign-language interpretation is an exception [12].