Going to the Doctor in Germany: Essential German Phrases

Going to the doctor in Germany can be stressful — even if the doctor speaks English. The real challenge often happens before and after the consultation: booking appointments, talking to receptionists, filling out forms, understanding instructions, and dealing with pharmacies.

You do not need advanced German to handle healthcare in Germany. But you do need the right phrases, spoken calmly and confidently.

This article gives you exactly that: the essential German you need when going to the doctor in Germany, explained step by step, with phonetic pronunciation for English-speaking readers.

1) How the German healthcare system feels to expats

Germany has a highly structured healthcare system. Appointments are formal, documentation is important, and language is precise.

Common expat pain points:

booking an appointment by phone
explaining symptoms clearly
understanding diagnoses and instructions
getting sick notes (Krankschreibung)

2) Booking a doctor’s appointment

Appointments are usually required.

Essential phrases

Ich brauche einen Termin.
(ikh BROW-khuh EYE-nen tair-MEEN)
Ich möchte einen Termin vereinbaren.
(ikh MERKH-tuh EYE-nen tair-MEEN fair-INE-bar-en)
Haben Sie heute noch einen Termin frei?
(HAH-ben zee HOY-tuh nokh EYE-nen tair-MEEN fry)

3) At the reception desk

Reception staff often speaks limited English.

Useful phrases

Ich habe einen Termin um 10 Uhr.
(ikh HAH-buh EYE-nen tair-MEEN oom TSEN oor)
Hier ist meine Versichertenkarte.
(heer ist MYE-nuh fair-ZIKH-er-ten-kar-tuh)

4) Describing symptoms clearly

Doctors appreciate precise descriptions.

Common symptoms

Ich habe Schmerzen. — I have pain
(ikh HAH-buh SHMAIR-tsen)
Ich habe Fieber. — I have fever
(ikh HAH-buh FEE-ber)
Ich habe Husten. — I have a cough
(ikh HAH-buh HOO-sten)

Duration

Seit drei Tagen.
(zite dree TAH-gen)

5) Explaining intensity and location

Die Schmerzen sind stark.
(dee SHMAIR-tsen zint shtark)
Es tut hier weh.
(es toot heer veh)

6) Understanding common doctor questions

Seit wann haben Sie die Beschwerden?
(zite vahn HAH-ben zee dee buh-SHVAIR-den)
Nehmen Sie Medikamente?
(NAY-men zee meh-dee-kah-MEN-tuh)

7) Diagnoses and instructions

Doctors often explain briefly.

Sie sollten sich ausruhen.
(zee ZOLL-ten zikh OWS-roo-hen)
Ich verschreibe Ihnen ein Medikament.
(ikh fair-SHRY-buh EE-nen EYE-n meh-dee-kah-MENT)

8) Prescriptions and pharmacies

Ich habe ein Rezept.
(ikh HAH-buh EYE-n reh-TSEPT)
Ist das rezeptfrei?
(ist das reh-TSEPT-fry)

9) Sick notes (Krankschreibung)

Sick notes are common in Germany.

Ich brauche eine Krankschreibung.
(ikh BROW-khuh EYE-nuh KRANK-shry-boong)
Für wie viele Tage?
(fuer vee FEE-luh TAH-guh)

10) Insurance questions

Sind Sie gesetzlich oder privat versichert?
(zint zee geh-ZETZ-likh OH-der pree-VAHT fair-ZIKH-ert)

11) Emergencies

Ich brauche sofort Hilfe.
(ikh BROW-khuh zoh-FORT HILL-fuh)
Es ist ein Notfall.
(es ist EYE-n NOT-fall)

12) Cultural differences to know

German doctors are direct. This is not rudeness.

13) Common mistakes expats make

Not asking for clarification
Leaving without a sick note
Not understanding medication instructions

14) Preparing before your visit

Prepare key phrases in advance.

Ich habe seit drei Tagen Fieber.
(ikh HAH-buh zite dree TAH-gen FEE-ber)

Final takeaway

Going to the doctor in Germany becomes manageable when you know the language patterns.

Clear German leads to better care and less stress.

For more healthcare and bureaucracy phrases, open the German Learning Toolkit.