How to Find a Doctor in Germany Using Doctolib

The German healthcare system basics

Germany has a dual system of public and private healthcare providers. All doctors must be state-licensed. Primary care is typically handled by general practitioners (Hausarzt), while specialists require referrals except for gynecologists, eye doctors, and psychiatrists.

Understanding Doctolib

Doctolib is Germany’s leading doctor appointment platform, used by over 300,000 healthcare professionals. The website and app are available in English and German.

Key features

Real-time appointment availability
Patient reviews and ratings
Telemedicine options
Automatic reminders
Online prescription requests

Step-by-step guide to using Doctolib

1. Creating an account

Download the app or visit doctolib.de. Sign up with email or Facebook. No German health insurance number required for registration.

2. Searching for doctors

Use filters for:

Specialty (Fachrichtung)
Location (Ort/PLZ)
Language (Sprache)
Insurance type (Kassenpatient/Privatpatient)

3. Booking appointments

Green slots show available times. Click to reserve. You’ll receive instant confirmation via email/SMS.

4. Preparing for your visit

Arrive 15 minutes early for paperwork
Bring insurance card and ID
Prepare symptoms/medication list in German

Alternative booking methods

Calling practices directly

Many doctors keep slots for phone bookings. Best times to call are 8-9am.

Emergency options

For urgent issues outside office hours:

116117 (non-emergency medical service)
Emergency rooms (Notaufnahme)

Troubleshooting common problems

No available appointments

Try these strategies:

Check at 8am daily for cancellations
Expand search radius
Ask to be waitlisted

Language barriers

Solutions:

Use “English-speaking” filter
Request interpreter through insurance
Prepare translated medical history

Costs and insurance coverage

Public insurance covers most consultations with €10 quarterly copay. Private patients pay upfront and claim reimbursement. Always confirm coverage before specialist visits.

Quick Links

Amazon Jungle

Throughout February, 2024, 25 of our CIS students embarked on a long journey to the Amazon Jungle in Iquitos, Peru. Students worked hard the previous months to raise funds to be able to create their community service project with the local communities of El Chino in the Tahuayo Region of the Amazon basin. Once there, our 25 students, along with our three teachers and the guides at the lodge they stayed in, participated in a whole day community service project where students built two complete Primary School classrooms. Our students built 20 desks and 20 chairs from scratch with the help of the local community and finished the day by putting the new furniture inside the classrooms. Thanks to this initiative, the students were able to fill up two classrooms that are now providing full day education to the children of the community. At CIS, one of our pillars of excellent education is understanding the privilege that comes with being an IB student and an international school student, and the importance of being global citizens. With this, comes the responsibility of being stewards of the communities that inhabit this world and the importance of giving back and being change makers!

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
08:15 - 09:45	Targeted Learning	Spanish / French / EAL	Math	The Arts	Humanities
09:45 - 10:15	Snack & Break
10:15 - 11:15	Humanities	The Arts	English	English	Personal Growth
11:15 - 12:15	Math	English	Science	Science	German / GAL
12:15 - 13:15		Science
13:15 - 13:45	Lunch & Break
13:45 - 14:15	Spanish / French / EAL	Homeroom	German / GAL	Sport	Math
14:15 - 15:15	German / GAL	Clubs	Clubs	Clubs	Clubs
15:15 - 16:45	Clubs	Cubs	Clubs	Clubs	Clubs

Grade 3/4 Timetable Example

Time	Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday
07:00 - 08:00	Early Supervision	Early Supervision	Early Supervision	Early Supervision	Early Supervision
08:00 - 09:30	Unit of Inquiry	Unit of Inquiry	Unit of Inquiry	Unit of Inquiry	Unit of Inquiry
09:30 - 10:00	Snack & Recess	Snack & Recess	Snack & Recess	Snack & Recess	Snack & Recess
10:00 - 10:30	Instrumental	Kung Fu	Instrumental	Tai Chi	Instrumental
10:30 - 12:00	Unit	Unit	Unit	Unit	Tai Chi + Unit
12:00 - 13:30	Lunch & Recess	Lunch & Recess	Lunch & Recess	Lunch & Recess	Lunch & Recess
13:30 - 14:30	Unit Math, German, English, Social Studies	Swimming	Library	Music	Unit
14:30 - 15:30	Spanish	Clubs	Art	Unit	Clubs
15:30 - 16:30	Spanish		Spanish	Spanish
16:30 - 18:00	Late Clubs	Late Clubs	Late Clubs	Late Clubs

Middle Years Programme (MYP)

IB DiplomaYears Programme (PYP)