← FairWait 🇩🇪

Healthcare in Germany: cost & waiting times

Statutory health insurance

Statutory health insurance (GKV) covers ~90% of residents through competing non-profit funds ('Krankenkassen'); higher earners may take private insurance (PKV). Your insurance card is accepted directly at any practice.

Emergency number: 112

How residents get care

  1. Pick a Krankenkasse — All statutory funds cover the same core benefits; contributions are income-based. Register and receive an electronic health card.
  2. See a GP ('Hausarzt') or go direct to specialists — No referral is legally required for most specialists, though GPs coordinate care.
  3. Use 116117 for appointments and out-of-hours — The national medical on-call service books appointments, including with specialists, and runs urgent-but-not-emergency care.

Official waiting-time source

Statutory patients sometimes wait longer than private patients for elective specialist slots; 116117 must find an appointment within 4 weeks of a referral.

116117 appointment guarantee (4-week target for referred specialist care) ↗

MilestoneReference
Referred specialist appointment (guarantee)28 days (~4w)

Typical private costs

Typical self-pay prices — for an exact figure use the official links above or ask a clinic for a written quote.

ItemTypical range
Private GP consultation€40–€90
Private specialist consultation€80–€200
MRI€300–€600
Hip replacement (private)€12,000–€18,000

Prescriptions

Prescription co-payment is 10% of the price, min €5 and max €10 per item, for adults. Children under 18 are exempt.

Visiting Germany?

EHIC covers necessary state care; show it with photo ID at the practice. You may be asked for a €10 deposit that is refunded.

Emergencies Call 112. Emergency rooms treat all comers.

Official links

Open the full interactive guide, compare tool & tracker →
PrivacyTermsAll countries