photograph showing a doctor holding a stethoscope

Germany isn’t only known as the most populous country with the largest economy in the European Union. It also ranks high for having one of the world’s best healthcare systems.

Case in point, Germany provides state-funded health insurance coverage for up to 92% of its population at low rates. Patients get to avail of comprehensive benefits that allow them to access quality healthcare services as needed. Besides, the country has a strong network of health facilities and professionals that stand ready to accommodate patient needs within its 16 federal states.

But how do you seek medical attention in the country if you’re a visiting foreigner? Which facilities and resources should you get in touch with if you need to, say, find a doctor in Munich? We answer these questions and more!

Whether you’re a tourist, a business traveler, a digital nomad, or an international student, you’ll find all this information to be very helpful. So keep reading – and bookmark this page!

Tips for visitors in need of healthcare service in Munich

1. It’s always best to book an appointment in advance

First and foremost, arranging an appointment with a doctor is highly recommended. When you do so, you secure a spot and avoid dealing with a long waiting line that walk-ins typically experience. 

You can schedule an appointment by calling their office or contacting them online. When you get hold of the receptionist, you can choose a date and time when you and the doctor are both available. Depending on your medical condition, a follow-up appointment may be necessary. The doctor or receptionist will tell you when to have another check-up. 

2. Give full information and prepare questions before the consultation

photograph showing a female doctor talking with a female patient

Image source: Unsplash

One thing tourists should know about German doctors is that most of them value time and won’t bother engaging in small talk. So before your visit, make sure to give full information about your medical concern. Also, prepare questions if you have any to make the most of your time.

3. Having a German health insurance plan can help you save on medical expenses

In Germany, travel insurance is a mandatory health insurance coverage for all foreign visitors. The insurance should have a €30,000 minimum coverage and should also be valid in Schengen countries (Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland).  

Expatica also shares that while most foreigners living in Germany are “eligible for state healthcare, some must sign up manually and all residents must have some form of health insurance.” Registering with a public (Gesetzliche Krankenversicherung) or private (private Krankenversicherung) insurance provider is a must for all German residents.

Although there are exceptions, uninsured visitors generally have to pay for medical treatments out of their own pockets.

4. For emergencies and out-of-hour medical care, call the emergency numbers

Image source: Unsplash

Aside from calling doctors directly on their phone numbers, you also have two other options to find a doctor in Munich, Germany.

First, you can call the toll-free emergency number 112 for your medical emergencies (such as bad injuries or sudden serious illnesses). This number connects you with ambulance and paramedic services in Germany. The number accommodates both German and English callers.

Other than that, you may instead call the number 116117 for out-of-hour medical care. This is recommended for medical consultations outside the doctors’ regular office hours. Take note, however, that this 24/7 number is only available in the German language.

5. You can find English-speaking healthcare providers in Munich

With over 95% of its population speaking German as their first language, visitors will be glad to know that most physicians in Munich speak decent English. However, if you want to make sure that language barrier won’t be an issue, it’s best to book consultations with English-speaking doctors in the first place.

Here are some of the top-rated options you should look up if you need to find a doctor in Munich:

Dr. med. Hannes Blankenfeld (general medicine)
Address:
Winzererstraße 142, 80797 München, Germany
Phone: +49 89 304421
Email: praxis@blankenfeld-voelkl.de
Website: https://blankenfeld-voelkl.de

Dr. med. Dirk Köthe (general medicine)
Address:
Geibelstraße 1, 81679 München, Germany
Phone: +49 89 479572
Email: info@dr-koethe.de
Website: https://dr-koethe.de

Dr. med. Patricia März (general medicine)
Address:
Schützenstraße 5, 80335 München, Germany
Phone: +49 89 557171
Email: praxis@dr-patricia-maerz.de
Website: http://www.dr-patricia-maerz.de

Dr. med. Thomas Rieger (general medicine)
Address:
Ledererstraße 4, 80331 München, Germany
Phone: +49 89 222887
Email: praxisteam@arztpraxis-rieger.de
Website: https://www.arztpraxis-rieger.de

Dr. med. Reinhard Erbes (pulmonary medicine)
Address:
Leopoldstraße 87, 80802 München, Germany
Phone: +49 89 345064
Email: info@pneumologie-schwabing.de
Website: https://www.pneumologie-schwabing.de

Dr. med. Simon Reindl (family practice physician)
Address:
Theresienstraße 126, 80333 München, Germany
Phone: +49 89 529620
Email: mail@praxis-dr-reindl.de
Website: https://www.praxis-dr-reindl.de

Dr. med. Susanne Schwendy (specialist in internal medicine)
Address:
Promenadepl. 10, 80333 München, Germany
Phone: +49 89 223056
Email: praxis@dr-schwendy.de
Website: http://www.dr-schwendy.de

6. You can check out online databases to find doctors and book appointments with them

In addition, you may likewise visit the following websites as you try to find a doctor in Munich: 

  • Doc Insider (a massive doctor recommendation portal which offers information on finding and evaluating doctors and other practitioners in Germany)
  • Doctena (Europe’s leading medical booking platform where users can find and book medical and health care appointments)
  • End Consumer (a special database which gathers relevant info on doctors and other medical practitioners in Europe, such as their contact details, areas of specialization, plus ratings and testimonials from past patients)
  • Jameda (a portal that allows users to find doctors and book appointments online)

7. Take note of important German medical terms

Whether you’re browsing for information online or are talking personally with a doctor, you may encounter words and terms you may not be familiar with. Naturally, knowing basic German medical terms can work to your advantage.

Here are some must-know, medical-related words, terms, and phrases in German:

  • Ansteckend: contagious
  • Bauchschmerzen: stomachache
  • das Fieber: fever
  • der Blutdruck: blood pressure
  • der Chirurg/die Chirurgin: surgeon
  • der chirurgische Eingriff: surgery
  • der Krankenwagen: ambulance
  • der Schnupfen/die Erkältung: cold
  • der Termin: appointment
  • die Krankenschwester: nurse
  • die Muskelschmerzen: muscle pain
  • die Praxis: doctor’s office
  • Durchfall: diarrhea
  • Erbrechen: vomiting
  • Facharzt: specialist
  • Hausarzt: house doctor
  • Hautausschlag: rash
  • Juckende haut : itchy skin
  • Kopfschmerzen: headache
  • Krank: sick
  • Krankenkasse: health insurance
  • Krankschreibung/Krankmeldung: sick note
  • Rezept: prescription
  • Schlaflosigkeit: insomnia
  • Schwach: faint
  • Schwindlig: dizzy
  • Uebel: nauseous

Final thoughts

As the old saying goes, health is wealth! You want to protect yours at all times, especially while you’re away from the familiarity of home. Having immediate access to medical care can give you peace of mind as a tourist or a digital nomad in Munich.

So whether you’re visiting Munich for a few days or a few months, it’s definitely a good idea to have helpful information at hand. Knowing how to find a doctor in Munich and which ones speak English can be extremely valuable during medical emergencies. With that, you can save a loved one’s life – or maybe even your own. You deserve nothing less than the best care and medical attention while you’re in the Bavarian capital. Whenever necessary, don’t hesitate to contact the numbers and visit the online resources we’ve mentioned here.

Meanwhile, you can always check us out here at King’s Hotels for your accommodation needs during your Munich stay.

Featured image: Unsplash

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