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.
Where to book
Best platforms for booking
Doctolib
doctolib.deGermany'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.deThe 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.
Privately insured
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.
How much shorter? On 26 August 2026 we compared 2,082 specialist practices in six cities on Doctolib: private patients could book online at 85 percent of them, public patients at 48 percent, with median waits of 7 and 21 days. The Specialist Access Study has the figures by city and specialty.
In English
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.
Phone numbers
Emergency numbers
After your appointment
Keep reading
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.
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