Healthcare in Germany for International Students: Important Tips to Take Care of Yourself

Moving to Germany as an international student is exciting, but the first few months can also be overwhelming.

You have university registration, residence permits, accommodation, bank accounts, insurance, part-time jobs, assignments, and countless other things to manage. In the middle of all this, one thing that many international students unintentionally neglect is their own health.

Back home, if you suddenly become sick, there may be parents, siblings, relatives, or friends nearby to help you.

In Germany, that support system may not always be available.

That is why learning how the German healthcare system works for international students should be one of your priorities after arrival.

This guide is mainly relevant to students with public health insurance (GKV). Some procedures, coverage rules, and reimbursement arrangements can be different for students with private health insurance (PKV).

1. Find a Hausarzt After Arriving in Germany

One of the first things I would recommend after completing your essential paperwork is finding a Hausarzt or Hausärztin.

A Hausarzt is generally your primary point of contact for many common health issues and can coordinate further medical care when you need a specialist.

You don’t necessarily need to wait until you become seriously ill before finding one.

Having a regular doctor can make things considerably easier when you suddenly need medical attention.

Try searching for a GP practice that:

• Is accepting new patients
• Is reasonably close to your home
• Communicates in a language you are comfortable with
• Accepts your health insurance
• Has appointment options that work with your schedule

You can also ask your university’s international office or fellow students for recommendations.

2. Don’t Wait Until You Are Seriously Sick

Many health problems don’t necessarily appear overnight.

Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain cardiovascular problems can develop gradually without obvious symptoms.

Depending on your age, medical history, risk factors, and your doctor’s assessment, periodic health checks may be appropriate.

Having a doctor who knows your medical history can also make future treatment easier.

Your medical records, previous test results, medications, allergies, and relevant health history can provide useful information if you develop a problem later.

The important point is simple:

Don’t only think about healthcare when you are already sick.

3. Tell Your Doctor About Existing Health Conditions

If you already have a medical condition, don’t hide it or assume that it is irrelevant.

When registering with a Hausarzt, tell them about relevant pre-existing conditions (Vorerkrankungen).

For example:

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart conditions
• Thyroid problems
• Asthma
• Allergies
• Previous surgeries
• Long-term medications
• Relevant mental health history

If you have medical reports from your home country, keeping digital and physical copies can be useful.

If you regularly take medication, also keep a record of the generic name, dosage, and active ingredient rather than relying only on the brand name used in your home country.

This can make communication with German doctors and pharmacies much easier.

4. Don’t Ignore Your Mental Health

This is one of the most important things international students should understand.

Moving to another country can be emotionally difficult.

You may experience:

• Homesickness
• Loneliness
• Academic pressure
• Financial stress
• Work-related stress
• Language barriers
• Cultural adjustment
• Relationship problems
• Anxiety about your future

Feeling stressed occasionally is normal.

But if anxiety, persistent sadness, loss of motivation, sleep problems, or other psychological difficulties start interfering with your everyday life, don’t simply ignore them.

Talk to your Hausarzt or another qualified healthcare professional.

Depending on your situation and insurance coverage, professional psychological or psychotherapeutic treatment may be available through the German healthcare system.

Don’t assume that asking for mental-health support means you are weak.

Getting help early is often better than waiting until the problem becomes severe.

5. Women’s Health: Find a Frauenarzt

For female international students, finding a Frauenarzt or Frauenärztin (gynecologist) can also be useful.

You may need medical advice regarding:

• Menstrual problems
• Hormonal issues
• Contraception
• Pregnancy
• Sexual and reproductive health
• Preventive examinations
• Other gynecological concerns

Don’t postpone seeing a doctor simply because you are new to Germany.

If you need regular care, it can be helpful to identify a practice near your university or home before an urgent situation arises.

6. Don’t Forget Your Dental Health

Dental care is another area international students sometimes overlook.

Finding a Zahnarzt or Zahnärztin (dentist) and maintaining regular dental checkups can help you identify problems before they become more complicated.

However, there is an important financial point:

Not every dental treatment is necessarily fully covered by statutory health insurance.

Before agreeing to a particular treatment, especially an expensive one, ask the dental practice what is covered by your insurance and what you may have to pay yourself.

For more expensive treatments, ask for a written cost estimate where appropriate.

Understanding your insurance coverage before treatment can prevent unpleasant financial surprises later.

7. Save Germany’s Emergency Numbers

Every international student should know the difference between a medical emergency and a non-life-threatening urgent medical problem.

112 — Life-Threatening Emergency

Call 112 when there is a serious or potentially life-threatening emergency requiring immediate assistance.

Examples may include:

• Severe breathing difficulties
• Loss of consciousness
• Serious injuries
• Severe chest pain
• Major bleeding
• Other potentially life-threatening situations

112 is the emergency number for medical emergencies and other emergency services in Germany.

116117 — Medical On-Call Service

For urgent medical problems that are not life-threatening, you can contact 116117, the German medical on-call service (Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst).

This can be particularly useful when your regular doctor’s practice is closed and you need medical advice or assistance.

If you believe your condition is life-threatening, don’t use 116117 as a substitute for emergency services.

Call 112.

8. Don’t Self-Medicate Based on Google or Social Media

This is another habit international students should be careful about.

Maybe you suddenly experience:

• Hair loss
• Dandruff
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Persistent headaches
• Sleep problems
• Unexplained fatigue
• Digestive problems
• Changes in appetite

It can be tempting to Google the symptoms and start taking medication or supplements based on what someone else recommends.

That isn’t always a good idea.

The same symptom can have many different causes.

For example, persistent fatigue could be related to sleep, stress, nutrition, medication, an underlying medical condition, or many other factors.

So instead of diagnosing yourself through Google, consider discussing persistent or concerning symptoms with a qualified healthcare professional.

Don’t take prescription medication simply because a friend used it for a similar problem.

9. Keep Your Health Documents Organized

One practical habit can save you a lot of trouble later:

Keep your medical documents organized.

Consider maintaining a secure digital folder containing:

• Previous medical reports
• Blood test results
• Vaccination records
• Prescription information
• Medication list
• Allergy information
• Insurance information
• Important doctor’s letters
• Relevant documents from your home country

You don’t need to carry all of these documents everywhere.

But having them securely accessible can be extremely useful when you visit a new doctor.

10. Understand Your Health Insurance

Health insurance is an essential part of life in Germany.

If you have statutory/public health insurance (GKV), learn the basics of how your insurance works.

Understand:

• How to find doctors
• How appointments work
• Whether a practice accepts your insurance
• What your insurance generally covers
• What may require additional payment
• How prescriptions work
• How referrals and specialist appointments work
• What to do outside regular doctor’s office hours

If you have private health insurance (PKV), don’t assume the same rules apply.

Your coverage depends on your specific policy, so always check your insurance terms before making assumptions about reimbursement.

11. Don’t Wait Until You Need Healthcare to Learn the System

One of the biggest mistakes a new international student can make is learning the healthcare system only after becoming seriously ill.

Instead, spend a little time understanding it early.

Find a Hausarzt.

Know where your nearest pharmacy is.

Save 112 and 116117.

Understand your insurance.

Keep your medical records organized.

Know which hospitals and medical practices are nearby.

These things may seem unnecessary when you are healthy.

But when you suddenly need medical assistance, you will be glad you prepared beforehand.

Final Thoughts: In Germany, You Have to Take Care of Yourself

Moving thousands of kilometers away from your family comes with a lot of freedom.

But that freedom also comes with responsibility.

Nobody may remind you to visit a doctor.

Nobody may notice that you haven’t been sleeping properly.

Nobody may know that you have been feeling mentally exhausted.

Nobody may organize your medical appointments for you.

You have to do it yourself.

The German healthcare system can provide substantial support, but the first step is often yours to take.

So, after arriving in Germany, don’t make university, work, paperwork, and accommodation your only priorities.

Your health matters too.

Take care of your body.

Take care of your mental health.

Understand your insurance.

Find the right doctors.

Ask for help when you need it.

Because when you are living far away from home, there is one person you absolutely cannot afford to neglect: yourself.