Finding a GP online: how to go about it

Whether you have moved, your current practice is closing, or you are looking for a regular point of contact for the first time: finding a GP practice (Hausarztpraxis) is not easy everywhere. In many regions, GP positions are vacant, and not every practice accepts new patients. Online, however, you have several good ways to find a suitable practice.

Why is it worth having a regular GP practice?

A regular GP practice is worth having because it knows your medical history and keeps your care coordinated over the years. Your GP (Hausärztin or Hausarzt) is the first point of contact for almost all health concerns, keeps track of screenings and vaccinations, and refers you to specialists in a targeted way when needed.

The law also provides for this role: people with statutory health insurance choose a GP and should only switch practices within a calendar quarter for an important reason [3]. In principle, however, you are free to choose among all practices that take part in statutory health insurance care (vertragsärztliche Versorgung) [3].

That is why it pays to look for a practice before you get sick. If you only start searching once you have a fever or back pain, you have less choice and more stress. With a regular practice, you already know whom to call or where to book online.

How do you find a GP practice online?

The most reliable way to find a GP practice is to use several sources one after another: first the official directory, then your health insurer's services and map apps, and finally the practice's own website. Each source answers a different question.

In the 116117 doctor search, you can also filter results by foreign languages and accessibility [4]. The practices provide the accessibility information themselves using a standardized nationwide questionnaire from the KBV (Kassenärztliche Bundesvereinigung, the national association of statutory health insurance physicians) [5].

You can read how online booking works through the various channels in detail in our guide Booking a doctor's appointment online.

What can you do if no practice is accepting new patients?

If you cannot find a practice with open spots, the 116117 appointment service (Terminservice) can help. You can reach it by phone, online at 116117.de or in the 116117 app. You do not need a referral for GP appointments.

You should expect a few limitations. The patient service does not arrange appointments with a specific doctor; instead, it searches in the area around where you live [1]. The distance to the practice it arranges must be reasonable [2]. If you have a preferred practice, it is best to ask there directly first and use 116117 as a second option [6].

A few situations deserve special attention:

• Moving to a new city: If possible, start searching before you move so that you are not left without a practice if you get sick. You can take your previous medical records with you (see below).
• Children: For children, a pediatric practice (Kinder- und Jugendarztpraxis) is usually the right place to go. You do not need a referral for this through 116117 either [1].
• Language: If you are new to Germany, look at the language information in directories and on practice websites. At avi, the team by language page shows who speaks which language at which practice.

How can you tell whether a practice is right for you?

Whether a practice is right for you depends mainly on whether it accepts you, takes your insurance and fits into your everyday life. Go through these points before you decide:

What should you bring to your first appointment?

Above all, bring your insurance card to your first appointment. People with statutory health insurance must present their electronic health card (elektronische Gesundheitskarte) before treatment begins; since January 2024, a digital identity can be used as proof instead [7].

Also bring whatever you have:

• your vaccination record (Impfpass),
• your medication plan,
• recent medical results, for example doctors' letters or lab values.

This helps your new practice get a picture of your health quickly. It is especially useful after a move, when the new practice does not yet know your medical history.