How to Book a Doctor in Germany

As a private patient (Privatpatient), you often get faster access to appointments and a wider choice of specialists. Here is how to navigate the German healthcare system, find the right doctor, and submit the invoice afterwards.

Best platforms for booking

Doctolib

doctolib.de

Germany's largest online booking platform. Filter by specialty, location, and language. Many practices offer next-day appointments for private patients. Available as a website and mobile app.

Jameda

jameda.de

The leading doctor review platform in Germany. Read patient ratings before booking, and schedule directly online. Especially strong for specialist recommendations.

Direct phone call

Many German practices still prefer phone bookings. Call between 8:00 and 10:00 in the morning for the best chance of getting through. Say "Ich bin privatversichert" to let them know you have private insurance.

Private patient advantages

  • Tell the receptionist "Ich bin privatversichert" (I have private insurance) when you call or arrive. This is not about status — it determines which fee schedule applies.
  • Private patients are often offered shorter waiting times for appointments, sometimes days instead of weeks.
  • You have broader access to specialists without needing a referral from a general practitioner (Hausarzt), though some specialists may still request one.
  • Chief physician treatment (Chefarztbehandlung) and single-room hospital stays are available depending on your tariff.

Finding English-speaking doctors

  • On Doctolib, use the language filter to find doctors who list English as a spoken language.
  • Search Google for "English speaking doctor" followed by your city name — many practices maintain English-language profiles.
  • Contact your insurer's service hotline and ask for a provider list of English-speaking doctors in your area.
  • University hospital outpatient clinics (Hochschulambulanz) in larger cities often have multilingual staff.

Emergency numbers

112

Emergency services

Fire, ambulance, and life-threatening emergencies. Available 24/7, operators speak English.

116 117

Non-emergency medical hotline

For urgent but not life-threatening medical issues outside practice hours. Connects you to the on-call doctor service (Bereitschaftsdienst).

Keep reading

How to submit a claim

After your appointment, you'll get an invoice. Here's exactly how reimbursement works, and the details most people miss.

Read guide

Questions about your coverage?

Book a free call with Jonas Marx. He can explain what your PKV tariff covers and how to get the most out of your private insurance.

Talk to us →